Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee The Cadillac Escalade was one of the first super luxury SUVs. In the 1990s, it set a new standard for premium excess in a large, three-row people hauler. Although it remains a great lavish full-size SUV to this day, a new sub-set of uber-luxury SUVs have eclipsed it. Vehicles like the Range Rover SVR, Mercedes-Maybach GLS, and BMW Alpina X7. These SUVs are over the top in every way, oozing power, premium features, and opulent interiors. Cadillac isn't a company to sit back and watch the brand's rivals have all the fun though. To take the battle to these newcomers head-on, the luxury vehicle manufacturer has gone all-in. The company has stuffed every bit of technology Cadillac has on hand into the Escalade, and gave it the angriest supercharged V8 this side of a Le Mans prototype racer. Behold the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V. 2026 Cadillac escalade V: All the Details 2026 Cadillac escalade V: All the Details View Gallery 33 photos Quick Take The 2026 Cadillac Escalade V is a new take of the super luxury, full-size SUV. Instead of trying to battle Maybach, BMW, and even Land Rover in terms of quiet refinement, the American luxury brand has given the Escalade V the angriest V8 I may have ever heard. It propels the big three-row hauler with ferocity, unleashing a soundtrack no one will miss, or ever forget. But the Escalade V is more than just an engine, it's also crammed full of every feature and technology available in Cadillac's arsenal. It might not drive as smoothly as some of the other near $200,000 posh SUVs on the market, but it has more personality than all of them combined. What's New for 2026: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee The Cadillac Escalade had a major refresh last year, so for 2026 there aren't many changes, especially to the Escalade V. There are some new exterior colors, but not one that arrived on my test vehicle. Exterior Style: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee The Cadillac Escalade is a vehicle that already has presence in abundance. It's large, blocky, and hard to miss. At 211.9-inches (5,382 mm) long, 81.1-inches (2,060 mm) wide, and 76.7-inches (1,948 mm) tall, the Escalade casts quite a shadow and towers over most other vehicles on the road. The refresh saw the headlight design go vertical, while the front crest lights up on higher-end models. The V-Series of the Escalade has subtle updates to the styling, with unique front and rear fascias, exclusive 24-inch wheels, a dark finished quad-tip exhaust, and a few other tweaks. The most noticeable change, and the one that lets other motorists know this isn't just some regular Escalade are the large V badges capturing a fair bit of real estate on the two front doors. Powertrain and Fuel Economy: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee The exterior changes on the Escalade V may be subtle, but the mechanics are not. Under the hood resides a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, stolen from the CT5-V Blackwing and former C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. It unleashes 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque in the Escalade. Funnelling power through a 10-speed automatic transmission to al four-wheels, the jumbo SUV can rip from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 4.4 seconds. Although this isn't the quickest SUV out there, not many vehicles the size of Escalade V could keep up with it in a drag race. Low-speed launches in this overpowered posh people hauler are drama-filled. The SUV squats back on the rear suspension, lurches forward with unapologetic haste, unleashing a sound that would make a jet fighter blush. Image: Cadillac Image: Cadillac That sound deserves a bit more discussion here. In the right settings, the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V has the loudest cold start I've ever encountered, one that would embarrass plenty of Hemi powered SRT vehicles. Under full load, the V8 shrieks, audible from seven counties over. When off throttle, in the Sport or V drive modes, the exhaust produces a non-stop symphony of pops and burbles while it coasts/decelerates. It's almost comical yet fits the in-your-face luxury persona of the big SUV. A fact from the captain obvious files, this heavy SUV with a supercharged V8 uses a lot of fuel. Officially, it's rated at 11 mpg (20.8 L/100 m) city, and 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) highway, while guzzling premium fuel. Owners, be prepared to be on a first name basis with your local fuel station. Handling and Drivability: Image: Cadillac Image: Cadillac Making a truck-based SUV weighing over 6,200 pounds (2,812 kg) handle well isn't an easy ask, but Cadillac's engineers have tried their darndest. The 2026 Escalade V features a fully independent suspension with air ride adaptive suspension and magnetic ride control. At all four corners sit 285/40R24 tires with the front brakes consisting of six-piston Brembo calipers clamping 16.1-inch rotors. The Escalade V eschews the traditional four wheel drive system offered in other versions of the Cadillac SUV, instead going with a rear-bias all-wheel drive system including an electronic limited slip differential. Even with all these changes, upgrades, and performance bits, I wouldn't consider the Escalade V an apt handler. It still drives more like a big SUV than a full-out performance family hauler. It's not cumbersome, and any truck-like qualities found in regular Escalades have been mostly ironed out, but it merely feels adequate when hustled into a corner, not surprisingly agile like a BMW Alpina X7. The Escalade V's real forte is acceleration anyway and here it delivers the goods. Plus, since it is a big body on frame SUV, the V Series can still tow upwards of 7,200 pounds (3,266 kg) as well. Image: Cadillac Image: Cadillac 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross SE: All the Details Competitors BMW Alpina X7 Mercedes-Maybach GLS Range Rover SVR Ride Quality and Comfort: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee Like many playing in the price point and performance subsegment of the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V, the SUV can't just be a performance special. It also needs to comfort and ultra luxurious. The ride comfort of the SUV, regardless of drive mode, is never punishing with the tour setting delivering the supplest ride. The standard dual 12.6-inch rear entertainment screens were a big hit with my son who watched You Tube on all our journeys through the available onboard WIFI. All three rows of seats are swathed in semi-aniline leather, with the two front row buckets having 16-way power adjustability with massage, ventilation and heat functions. It is possible to get a lot of these features on the second row seats as well, for an added cost. The third row bench sits a bit low to the ground, but with 38.2-inches (970 mm) of headroom and 34.9-inches (886 mm) of legroom, adults could fit back there for short periods of time. Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee Being a large SUV, there is plenty of cargo capacity, especially when the seats are folded down. Behind the rear seats resides 25.5 cu ft (722 L) of cargo space, which grows to 72.9 cu ft (2,064 L) when the third row is power-folded down. Lower the second row seats as well and cargo capacity grows to 121 cu ft (3,426 L). Interior Style and Quality: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee The Escalade's interior got a major upgrade last year as part of a mid-cylce refresh. Most notable amongst the changes was the inclusion of a curved, pillar-to-pillar 55-inch display screen that's split into three parts. There's one segment that works as the driver information center, while a second section is set dead center, working as the infotainment system. Finally, a third segment of the 55-inch screen is located in front of the passenger that can be configured a variety of ways. The rest of the Jet Black interior is the usual Cadillac classy, with my V-Series model including a few unique touches like the additional carbon-fiber trim, as well as exclusive quilted and perforated seats. Technology: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee Aside from the various features already mentioned up to the point, the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V comes equipped with niceties like GM's fantastic Super Cruise hands-free driving suite, an AKG Studio Reference 38-speaker sound system, Night Vision, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, color head-up display, power open and close doors, a center console fridge, 126-color ambient lighting, and much more. As I've mentioned before, the power opening/closing doors may seem like an unnecessary gimmick, but it's amazing how quickly I started to rely on them after a few short days driving the Escalade. Value Dollars and Sense: Image: Cadillac Image: Cadillac Being the best of everything the Escalade lineup has to offer, the V-Series doesn't come cheap. In the United States, the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V starts at $170,895 (all prices include destination charges). As tested, the SUV came in at $171,490 with the all-weather floor mats added. As stated earlier though, there are more comfort options that could be added to this SUV, pushing the price close to the $200,000 mark. But, as tested, this pricing puts the Escalade V between the 2026 BMW Alpina X7 and 2026 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV. It also undercuts more indirect offerings like the Range Rover SVR and Bentley Bentayga. For our Canadian readers, the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V starts at $214,499. As tested, it came in at $215,349. Final Thoughts: Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee Cadillac's approach to the 2026 Escalade V defies convention. Instead of trying to mimic the SUV's German rivals, Cadillac created something unique. The brand leaned heavily into the company's American heritage and unleashed a jumbo SUV with a shrieking supercharged V8 and all the posh opulence one should expect in this price bracket. It's not trying to fit into the crowd. The 2026 Cadillac Escalade V is the wild child, the bad boy, the party disrupter. Is it perfect and for everyone? No, but the life of the party rarely is. For those that live every minute of every day to the fullest, the Escalade V might just be the big SUV you've been looking for. Category 2026 Cadillac Escalade V Powertrain 9 / 10 Efficiency 5 / 10 Handling and Drivability 7 / 10 Passenger Comfort 8.5 / 10 Ride Quality 4 / 5 Exterior Style 3.5 / 5 Interior Style and Quality 8 / 10 Infotainment 9 / 10 Cargo Capacity and Towing 5 / 5 Safety 5 / 5 Value 5 / 10 Emotional Appeal 8 / 10 TOTAL 77 / 100 PROS CONS Engine Thrust Engine Thirst Engine Sound Price Tag Interior Comfort and Amenities Not a Great Handler Specifications Engine/Motor 6.2-liter supercharged V8 Output: 682 hp and 653 lb-ft Drivetrain: AWD Transmission: 10AT Fuel Economy (mpg): 11 city, 17 highway Fuel Economy (L/100 km): 20.8 city, 13.8 highway 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds As Tested Price USA $171,490 (incl dest) As Tested Price Canada $215,349 (incl dest) 2026 Toyota GRMN Corolla: All The Details
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