Cadillac, like some other parts of the General Motors family, has allegedly been busy working toward its sustainability goals of becoming an all-electric zero-tailpipe-emissions brand by 2030. But you really wouldn’t know it looking at its latest release, the 682-horsepower V8-powered 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, the most powerful full-size SUV on the market.
In fact, Cadillac doesn’t even mention fuel consumption numbers in its release details (though it does note that premium gas is required). And why would it? That’d only anger the green set. No, Greta Thunberg wouldn’t dare be caught even looking at this thing!
Based on the fact the Escalade is now the longest-running nameplate currently at Cadillac, and a highly popular product for its massive style and power, it’s almost surprising it’s taken this long for the brand to hit it with a V-Series badge, thus upgrading style, power, and tech to the utmost degree.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
“Customers and enthusiasts have asked for an Escalade-V, and we’re thrilled to bring this high-performance SUV to market in the year of Cadillac’s 120th anniversary,” said Global Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey. “We do not deploy the V-Series designation lightly. The arrival of the 2023 Escalade-V is the result of a rigorous development program that allows this highly anticipated model to meet the criteria and capacity thresholds established by nearly two decades of inspired V-Series performance.”
The 2023 Escalade-V will be the most expensive and most exclusive Cadillac SUV when it arrives later this year, but exact production numbers are not being made public. Power, on the other hand, is something the marque’s happy to talk about.
As expected, the first V-Series Escalade houses Cadillac’s 6.2L hand-built supercharged engine, but this time set up to churn out 682 horsepower (14 more than it does in the 2023 CTV-5 Blackwing) at 6,00 rpm, and 653 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. That extra boost over the Blackwing comes from a larger 2.65L supercharger that has an electronically controlled bypass valve and spins at 13,500 rpm to generate 10 lbs of force, which in turn necessitated some other engine edits, like stronger aluminum cylinder heads with lightweight titanium intake valves.
Sent through a 10-speed automatic transmission with full-time AWD and torque splitting, those ponies should lead the short-wheelbase Escalade-V to 100 km/h in under 4.4 seconds, says Caddy, and let it complete a quarter-mile (400 metres) in 12.74 seconds. A long-wheelbase ESV model will also be released following the standard model.
The latest Magnetic Ride Control system comes standard along with launch control, and a tweaked Air Ride Adaptive Suspension with stiffer rear air springs and special damper hardware to handle the vehicle’s 6,300-lb curb weight (6,493 lbs in the ESV). And for the first time, Escalade drivers can use V-Mode to lower the ride 20 mm and select between two or four performance settings (Tour, Sport, Snow, and Ice) to adjust brake pedal feel, suspension, steering, engine sound, engine performance, and AWD.
V-Series designation also earns the Escalade-V a pair of six-piston Brembo brakes up front, different front and rear fascias, quad exhaust outlets, special 22-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in all-season tires and set with red brake calipers, and a bunch of ‘V’ badging on the driver and front-passenger doors and liftgate.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
The ‘badgery’ continues in multiple locations inside, including at the 6 o’clock position on the steering wheel; and on the key fob. All Escalade-Vs are outfitted with the Platinum trim interior available in Black or Dark Auburn and featuring heated/ventilated massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, semi-aniline leather on all three rows, and unique Zebra Wood details on the centre console and doors.
Reflecting from the dash is the same 38-inch curved OLED screen we’ve seen in the Escalade since 2021, and a familiar 14.2-inch instrument cluster that can display a live augmented reality image of what’s in front of the vehicle, overlapped with directional information. Premium audio product supplier AKG has also outfitted the V with a segment-topping 36-speaker system.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photo by Cadillac
As for Cadillac’s hands-free Super Cruise, it will come standard. But it’s unclear whether vehicles will be delivered with the driving system right away, or if it will be installed post-delivery, as the brand is dealing with the microchip shortages still plaguing the industry. The marque promise is to “do everything [it] can” to make sure it’s onboard when purchased.
Pricing for the Canadian model has been set at $tktk for the short-wheelbase model. The longer ESV has not been priced, but is predicted to add around US$3,000 to the price tag. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V will arrive at Canadian dealerships this summertk.
Keyword: 682-hp 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is most powerful full-size SUV