This new Caddy is roomier, more technological and more luxurious than ever.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – After the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon, it was just a matter of time before the Escalade joined the party. General Motors invited journalists, influencers and privileged customers to historical RED studios in Beverly Hills for the world unveiling.
There’s no denying the Escalade’s Tahoe roots, and as the tradition goes with this surprisingly popular behemoth, the Escalade borrows its all-new T1 platform, engine, transmissions and newly introduced independent rear suspension from its corporate cousins.
But the Escalade, as always, cranks things up a notch in order to present itself as a significantly more upscale body-on-frame SUV.
For instance, the truck is equipped with the first-ever organic LED display in an automobile. The entire dashboard is basically a large, 36-inch screen which can be entirely customized to the driver’s liking. Yes, you read that right: 36 inches, or basically the size of your television at home.
The screens incorporate a full plethora of information, notably an all-new navigation system which incorporates augmented reality, like what Mercedes-Benz offers in its MBUX interface. The Escalade also inherits Cadillac’s latest iteration of Super Cruise hands-free semi-autonomous driving.
Modern Inside, Traditional Underneath
While the Escalade gets modern and fancy inside, incorporating an entirely new dashboard design, plusher materials, and significantly more rear legroom due to the new rear suspension, its mechanical components are relatively conservative.
The standard engine remains the tried and proven 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 good for 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. It can deactivate multiple cylinders on demand for improved fuel economy.
The second engine choice is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel straight six, a first ever for the Escalade. It’s good for 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Four-wheel-drive is standard in Canada. However, don’t expect the diesel engine to allow the Escalade to tow more, as max towing ratings are identical at 7,716 pounds (3,500 kg).
Just like the Tahoe and Suburban on which it’s based, the Escalade can be had in two different wheelbases. While a standard Escalade is 211-inch (5,382 mm) long, while the Escalade ESV stretches things to 227 inches (5,766 mm).
The result of all this stretching, the new T1 platform and the independent rear suspension which, by the way, can be had with both Air and Magnetic Ride technology, allow the Escalade to be a much roomier SUV than before.
Not only was legroom in the third seat massively improved, total cargo space sees a major upgrade. While a standard Escalade will engulf up to 3,089 liters of cargo – which is massive – an Escalade ESV will swallow an impressive 3,585 liters.
While no pricing has yet been released for the Canadian market, the Escalade will be offered in either Sport or Premium Luxury trims, with the possibility of upgrading to Platinum trims for both. Changes in trim levels will mostly affect interior color combinations, materials and appearance packages. Expect the 2021 Cadillac Escalade to hit Canadian showrooms this Fall.
Just over a year ago at the Detroit Auto Show, Cadillac claimed that its future would be electric. One year in, there is still no sign of a fully electrified Caddy.
Keyword: The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is Presented to the World