2027 Cadillac EscaladeMotorTrend - MotorTrendTruly luxurious interiorOutrageous Escalade-VSelf-driving Super Cruise techFirm ride on big wheelsThirsty powertrainsExtravagant pricingAn American status symbol through and through, the 2027 Cadillac Escalade is back with new features and some trim streamlining. Gone is the base trim, a move expected to hike the three-row luxury SUV's starting price by about $10,000.Available in both gasoline and all-electric guises (note that these variants utilize entirely different platforms), the Cadillac Escalade is our top choice compared to full-size luxury SUV rivals such as the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80.The all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ is the 2026 MotorTrend SUV of the Year.What's NewBasicsRear-wheel drive no longer available for Platinum Luxury and Platinum Sport trimsCadillac Digital Key now standardTrailer tire pressure monitoring availablePerformance air intake no longer availableExteriorSandstone paint color availableMagnus Metal Frost and Aegean Stone colors discontinuedOnyx Lite package available for Sport trim, discontinued for V-SeriesInteriorInterior protection package discontinuedAvailable all-weather floormats discontinuedWhat We ThinkCadillac once again sets the three-row luxury SUV segment benchmark with the 2027 Escalade, which carries over with minor updates for the new model year. The Escalade was most recently refreshed for 2025 when it received new design elements and a technology overhaul that included an enormous display spanning the SUV's entire dashboard.AdvertisementAdvertisementEven though Cadillac has dropped some of the Escalade's less expensive trims and configurations for 2027, the SUV continues to offer the opulence and swagger we've come to expect. The 2027 Cadillac Escalade's appeal starts with its imposing exterior design and continues into its well-appointed cabin.Driving characteristics are polished; the Escalade's powertrains are responsive and handling inspires confidence. A stiff ride, especially on models with 24-inch wheels is the trade-off, so stick to the 22-inch rims if you're willing to sacrifice some style for comfort. The Escalade is also wonderful when you're not driving manually thanks to standard Super Cruise hands-free assistance.We have a few criticisms of the big Cadillac. Its powertrains are thirsty across the range, and the naturally aspirated V-8 supplies slower acceleration than competing full-size SUVs powered by twin-turbocharged V-6 engines.That said, the supercharged Cadillac Escalade-V has no issues delivering rapid acceleration and ferocious sound to match. Finally, the already expensive Escalade gets even pricier this year without its prior base model, meaning you'll have to cough up even more coin if you want to get behind the wheel of Cadillac's flagship model.AdvertisementAdvertisementOur 2026 SUV of the Year, the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ, solves many of the gas model's issues. It takes the ostentatiousness factor up a degree with a swanky cabin and standard adaptative air ride suspension.Impressive road-trip range and reasonable charging speeds eliminate the stress the EV-curious may associate with driving a battery-powered vehicle. Just mind the Escalade IQ's size, expense, and lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.With these considerations in mind, the 2027 Cadillac Escalade is our first pick in its segment, as proven by a comparison test wherein it vanquished its rivals. Cadillac's three-row SUV has the luxurious appointments, tech, and presence needed to stand out against the competition.Top-Ranked Competitors:Lincoln NavigatorInfiniti QX80Rivian R1SJeep Grand WagoneerMotorTrend TestedMost versions of the 2027 Cadillac Escalade work with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine developing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. In our testing, models with this engine launched from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. RWD is standard, and 4WD is available. Regardless of drivetrain layout, the Escalade is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission.AdvertisementAdvertisementThose who want quicker acceleration and a more rambunctious sound should go for the 2027 Cadillac Escalade-V, which is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 developing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, good for a brisk 0–60-mph time of 4.7 seconds in our testing. Although this model also has a 10-speed automatic transmission, it uses all-wheel drive instead of 4WD.Rivals with twin-turbocharged V-6 engines are quicker than the Escalade with its naturally aspirated V-8. The most recent Lincoln Navigator we tested accelerates from 0 to 60 mph 5.1 seconds and 5.7 seconds in extended Navigator L guise. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III Obsidian that participated in our evaluations is even more rapid than the Escalade-V, ripping through the 0–60-mph launch in 4.6 seconds.MPGs and RangeWe expect the 2027 Cadillac Escalade to carry over into the new model year with similar fuel economy figures as the 2026 model. The 2WD Escalade is the most efficient with an EPA rating of 15/19 mpg city/highway.These variants also have the best range of gas models at 408 miles. Equipping 4WD knocks down those figures a shade, to 14/18 mpg and 384 miles of range. As one might expect, the supercharged Escalade-V is the least efficient at 11/17 mpg. Its driving range also suffers, falling to 312 mpg.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2WD Lincoln Navigator is rated at 16/23 mpg and should be good for 423 miles of range on one tank. Equipping 4WD lowers efficiency slightly, dropping fuel economy to 15/22 mpg and 401 miles of range.2027 Cadillac Escalade IQ: Performance, Range, and ChargingThe all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ is expected to carry over with the same hardware that underpinned it when it won our 2026 SUV of the Year award. Expect its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system to continue supplying 680 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque until Velocity Max mode is enabled.When that happens, output rises to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade IQ's 0–60-mph time is just 4.5 seconds according to our test data.Unlike the body-on-frame gas-only Escalade models, the Escalade IQ and IQL use GM's electric vehicle platform. The electric Escalade is powered by a 205-kWh battery pack enabling up to 460 miles of range per charge. We came close to actualizing that figure in the MotorTrend Road-Trip Range test, achieving 415 miles of real-world riving before needing recharging.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Escalade IQ maxes out at 352 kW on a modern Level 3 charger, sustaining 254 kW over a 42-minute 5–80 percent charge, which added 335 miles of range. If you plug in for just 10 minutes, the Escalade IQ recovers 116 miles of range.Head over to our expert review of the Cadillac Escalade IQ for an in-depth breakdown of this high-tech three-row luxury SUV.Safety Ratings and FeaturesThe 2026 Cadillac Escalade makes a strong showing in NHTSA testing, so expect more of the same from the 2027 model when it's evaluated. All variants receive a five-star overall safety rating. Cadillac equips the Escalade with a robust suite of safety features, including the excellent Super Cruise hands-free driving system.Standard FeaturesIn addition to Super Cruise, every 2027 Cadillac Escalade comes equipped with forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with trailer assistance, automatic high-beam assistance, and rain-sensing wipers.Available FeaturesNight Vision is available on models equipped with the Touring package. This feature uses a thermal camera to spot pedestrians or large animals when it's dark.Cargo Space and Interior RoomRegardless of which one of the 2027 Cadillac Escalade's body styles you choose, interior space is enormous. The extended-wheelbase ESV model has the most room for people and cargo of the bunch, and the IQL isn't far behind.Towing and PayloadTrailering weight maxes out at 8,100 pounds for the standard-wheelbase version of the 2027 Cadillac Escalade. That figure drops to a maximum of 8,000 pounds for the ESV model. The all-electric Escalade IQ can tow up to 8,000 pounds, and the IQL can tow 7,500 pounds.TechnologyInfotainmentEvery gas version of the 2027 Cadillac Escalade comes equipped with a 55.0-inch display spanning the dashboard and performing driver display and infotainment functions. Unlike the all-electric Escalade IQ, gas models are standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.AdvertisementAdvertisementA head-up display projects the most important information for the driver to see on the windshield. There's also an 11-inch multifunction screen controller for HVAC and other vehicle function controls.Sound SystemA 21-speaker sound system from AKG is standard on the Luxury and Sport trims. The top Platinum Sport and Platinum Luxury trims receive a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio setup with Dolby Atmos technology.Available UpgradesAs Cadillac's flagship SUV, the Escalade can be equipped with luxurious features like a center console refrigerator unit with a freezer mode. If you tick the box for the Executive Second Row Seating package, Cadillac equips the second row with a wireless charging pad, an 8.0-inch touchscreen controller, and ventilated and massaging seats with power adjustment.ValueStandard FeaturesThe entry-level 2027 Cadillac Escalade Luxury is anything but basic. Under the hood, there's a 6.2-liter V-8 engine driving the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. It comes standard with 22-inch wheels, adaptive magnetic ride control suspension, and an electronic limited-slip differential.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe cabin is outfitted with leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. There's a 55.0-inch display spanning the dashboard and an 11.0-inch control panel for cabin settings. A head-up display completes the cockpit's digital experience. Audio comes courtesy of a 21-speaker setup from AKG.Pricing for the 2027 Cadillac Escalade Luxury is expected to start around $105,000. That's around $11,000 more than last year's 1SA base trim, though the new model is better equipped than the now-discontinued entry-level grade.Recommended TrimAlthough the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ is our 2026 SUV of the year, its base trim begins over $130,000 (2026 model). That means the gas-only Escalade is the better value. The newly base Luxury trim should satisfy most of your three-row SUV needs, but the Platinum Luxury model also covers your wants without pricing exceeding that of the Escalade IQ.The 2027 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Luxury gets an upgraded interior with swankier materials, a booming 38-speaker AKG sound system, and power-opening and -closing doors. The standard magnetic ride control gets a helping hand from an air suspension system, which should up the Escalade's comfort as long as you stick with the 22-inch wheels. Pricing for this trim should start around $123,000 for 2027.