The 2023 Cadillac Escalade is synonymous with luxury, power, and size. It makes a statement wherever it goes. This year, the Escalade looks to turn even more heads with an all-new, performance-oriented V trim that promises to be the most powerful full-size SUV money can buy.
With six trims from which to choose, the Escalade offers varying degrees of luxury, technology, and performance. The long-wheelbase Escalade ESV adds 21 cubic feet of cargo space for those needing more interior room. A choice between two powerful 6.2-liter V8 gas engines and a fuel-efficient 277-horsepower 3.0-liter diesel further separates the Escalade from its foreign and domestic rivals.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is optional across the Escalade lineup, but the new V gets the feature as standard equipment.
2023 Cadillac Escalade Luxury
(starting at $77,795; ESV at $80,795)
The entry-level 2023 Cadillac Escalade Luxury reminds us of the old Calais trim on the long-running De Ville: It gets you in the door but with minimal features and a price to match. We think the Luxury trim is nice but probably appeals more to fleet buyers and livery services.
A quick walk-around reveals features we expect on a Cadillac, with 22-inch alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, acoustic laminated glass, auto-leveling LED headlights, LED tail lamps, and power-folding heated side mirrors with a driver’s-side auto-dimming feature.
Other standard equipment includes a 17-inch full-size spare tire, chrome roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, illuminated door handles, rain-sensing wipers, and upper active aero-shutters behind the grille that close at high speeds for improved aerodynamics.
The Escalade’s keyless entry includes a proximity key fob that permits locking and unlocking the doors by touching the door handle and starting the engine via a push-button starter. Remote start is also standard.
Standard mechanical features include a 6.2-liter V8 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a mechanical limited-slip rear differential, a heavy-duty oil cooler, and heavy-duty trailering equipment, including a 7-pin harness.
Also standard is automatic vehicle hold, hill start assist, and hitch guidance that uses the rearview camera to provide a guideline when hooking up a trailer.
The Luxury trim features several high-tech upgrades, such as the vast curved OLED display containing a 14.2-inch instrument cluster, a 7.2-inch control panel, and a 16.9-inch infotainment display.
The Luxury’s infotainment setup includes navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio with a 6-month trial subscription (requires Platinum plan), HD radio, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Cadillac Connected apps.
The navigation system has an augmented reality feature that places a live image of what’s in front of the Escalade onto the digital display in the instrument cluster. The system can even overlay directional information, like turn arrows and projected paths, atop the image, helping the driver know precisely where they are and when to turn.
To ensure your listening experience is up to Cadillac standards, a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system includes a conversation enhancer that projects voices in the front row to the rear seats, making it easier to converse.
Standard amenities include a power-adjustable, heated steering wheel with controls for the cruise, audio, phone, and conversation enhancer. Tri-zone automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, a center console with a 110-volt outlet, USB A and C ports, ambient interior lighting, and an overhead console also is included.
The Luxury trim comes equipped with 3-row seating covered in “Inteluxe” faux-leather upholstery. It includes heated 8-way power front seats with 2-way power lumbar support, heated second-row bucket seats with power fold and tumble release, plus a power 60/40 split-folding third-row seat. The driver’s seat includes memory settings for the seat, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and mirrors.
Cadillac’s Smart System suite of driver aids and assists comes standard. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, the Safety Alert driver’s seat, rear seat reminder, a rear-vision camera, Teen Driver, and rear park assist (may require dealer retrofit due to the ongoing microchip shortage).
Other standard driver aids include front and rear parking sensors (may be delayed due to microchip shortage), HD Surround Vision camera, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and rear pedestrian alert.
Optional upgrades include 4WD, the 3.0-liter diesel engine (adds $100 to the price), a Brembo brake upgrade, a cat-back performance exhaust, a second-row bench seat, and various dealer-added accessories.
With the $1,795 destination charge, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Luxury’s cost is $79,590. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $1,430. See 2023 Cadillac Escalade Luxury models for sale near you
2023 Cadillac Escalade Luxury includes:
- Heated seats – Includes 3-stage heating for the front and second-row seats, an excellent way to stay warm when the outside temperature turns chilly.
- 19-speaker audio – The AKG Studio audio system includes 19 speakers, a power amplifier, and a built-in subwoofer.
- Hands-free liftgate – Kick your foot beneath the rear bumper, and the liftgate automatically opens.
- Safety Alert Seat – This clever device vibrates the seat’s left, right, or both sides to alert the driver to the direction of a potential crash.
2023 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury
(starting at $86,595; ESV at $89,595)
The Premium Luxury trim’s additional $10,000 markup won’t add much to the Escalade’s monthly payment, but it delivers a better-equipped luxury SUV with more optional upgrades.
Building off the Luxury, the Premium Luxury adds a panoramic power sunroof with power sunshade, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, 22-inch polished wheels, a rear camera mirror with a camera lens washer, and a full-color head-up display.
Additional safety and driver aids include adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and an automated parking assistant that can parallel or perpendicular park the vehicle.
Other upgrades include an enhanced anti-theft alarm with glass breakage sensors, interior movement sensors, and an inclination sensor that detects if the vehicle is getting towed away.
Optional upgrades for the Premium Luxury trim include the Touring Package that adds soft-close doors, an adaptive Air-Ride suspension, and illuminated sill plates.
The Performance Package adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Magnetic Ride Control adaptive shocks, Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, integrated trailer brake control, hitch guidance with Hitch View, an in-vehicle trailer app, and Smart Trailer integration indicator.
The Heavy Duty Trailer Package adds an auxiliary trailer camera, trailer tire pressure monitors, trailering assist guidance, an extra-capacity cooling system, and, on 4WD models, a 2-speed active transfer case.
Standalone options include a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system, 12-way power front seats, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving assist, a rear-seat entertainment system, power-retractable side steps, and Night Vision infrared sensors to help you see people or animals beyond the headlight’s range.
Buyers can opt for Brandy-colored full leather seating with quilted pattern inserts.
With the $1,795 destination charge, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury’s cost is $88,390. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $1,588. See 2023 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury models for sale near you
2023 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury includes:
- Panoramic power sunroof – This massive glass panel opens the interior to more light and fresh air and features a power sunshade when preferring less.
- Heated and ventilated front seats – Keep driver and front passenger cool and dry in the summertime but warm and comfortable in the winter.
- Adaptive cruise control – This allows the driver to set and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically slowing or speeding up as traffic flow changes.
- Available 36-speaker AKG Reference audio – This amazing system features 36 speakers, including speakers in the headliner and headrests, three amplifiers, and front and rear subwoofers. It’s the ultimate in Cadillac sound.
2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport
(starting at $89,595; ESV at $92,595)
The Sport trim adds a more rugged and sporty feeling without sacrificing luxury.
Building off the Premium Luxury trim, the Sport adds additional black exterior trim, a gloss black mesh grille, sporty 22-inch, polished Dark Android wheels, and the Performance Package contents.
Optional for the Sport is the Onyx Package that adds a gloss black Escalade nameplate, puddle lights with Cadillac crest, monochrome Cadillac emblems, and 22-inch gloss black wheels.
With the $1,795 destination charge, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport’s cost is $91,390. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $1,642. See 2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport models for sale near you
2023 Cadillac Escalade Platinum
(starting at $104,095; ESV at $107,095)
The Platinum models elevate the Escalade to the super-luxury category, placing it squarely in the same league as the Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
Building off the Premium Luxury, the Platinum adds many of the former trim’s optional equipment, including the 36-speaker AKG audio system, rear-seat entertainment system with dual 12.6-inch infotainment displays, plus the Touring and Performance packages.
The Platinum grade includes a unique grille and trim, puddle lamps with Cadillac crest, 16-way power driver and passenger seats with five-setting power lumbar massage, and illuminated sill plates.
The Platinum’s dash, door panels, and console come wrapped in leather, with sueded microfiber covering the pillars and headliner. Soft-close doors secure quietly once they latch.
Optional equipment for the Platinum mirrors the remaining packages for the Premium Luxury trim.
Unique to the Platinum is a front center console refrigerator with freezer mode and covered storage, plus full leather seating with semi-aniline surfaces in Jet Black or Dark Auburn.
With the $1,795 destination charge, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Platinum’s cost is $105,890. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $1,903. See 2023 Cadillac Escalade Platinum models for sale near you
2023 Cadillac Escalade Platinum includes:
- Massaging lumbar support – With Roll, Knead, Wave, Relief, and Glide settings, these seats help reduce lower back fatigue.
- Leather-wrapped dash and console – Add to an already rich interior, with supple leather matching the interior upholstery.
- Available console refrigerator – An in-console cooler can chill drinks and perishables to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, or when set to freezer mode, cool to 23 degrees F.
- Available Super Cruise – Cadillac’s semi-autonomous driving assist can steer, brake, and accelerate without input from the driver. The system only works on compatible roads and may be delayed or deleted depending on the microchip shortage situation.
2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum
(starting at $104,095; ESV at $107,095)
The Escalade Sport Platinum combines all the features of the Escalade Sport with the standard equipment found in the Platinum trim.
With the $1,795 destination charge, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum’s cost is $104,395. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $1,903. See 2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum models for sale near you
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V
(starting at $148,195; ESV at $151,195)
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V starts at $148,195.
New for 2023 is the Escalade-V, a luxury SUV tuned by Cadillac’s in-house V performance division.
Under the hood resides a hand-built supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with an astounding 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a beefed-up 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time active AWD setup that divides torque between the front and rear axles for maximum grip.
The Escalade-V comes standard with an advanced Air Ride adaptive suspension and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, tuned explicitly for more aggressive handling. The driver-selectable V-Mode includes Tour or Sport settings for the engine, steering, brakes, and suspension, with an additional Snow/Ice mode for the AWD system. There’s also a launch control function for when you really need to go.
Speaking of go, the Escalade-V can dash to 60 mph in just under 4.4 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 12.74 seconds at 110 mph.
Other features unique to the V include exclusive front and rear fascias, 6-piston Brembo front brakes with Edge Red brake calipers, quad exhaust, and unique 22-inch wheels.
The Escalade-V gets its own interior embellishments, building off the Escalade Platinum’s standard equipment and adding semi-aniline leather in black or Dark Auburn covering all three rows, heated and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Zebra wood accents.
Super Cruise is one of the few options, as are a few dealer-installed upgrades.
With the $1,795 destination charge, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V costs $149,990. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $2,695. See 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V models for sale near you
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V includes:
- Hand-built V8 – The Escalade-V’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 is a monster of an engine, providing huge horsepower and torque guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
- Full-time AWD – A unique AWD system designed explicitly for the Escalade-V promises optimal traction on wet and dry pavement.
- Brembo brakes – Massive Brembo front brakes assure maximum stopping power with minimal fade.
- Launch Control – Produces optimal 0-60 mph runs with minimal wheel slippage. To activate the system, the driver need only hold down the brake pedal while depressing the accelerator, then wait for the traction control lamp to flash and release the brake.
