2021 Cadillac Escalade

Did the biggest and most “ballin’” SUV get any better?

Today we’re talking about the new 2021 Cadillac Escalade. And by the looks of it, it did get better. The first Escalade was released in 1998, and quickly became the SUV of choice for hip-hop artists and other people of fine wealth. The first-generation Escalade was based on the GMC Yukon Denali and had a 5.7l V8 making 255hp. Not much for a truck that weighed about 5,500lbs. But it also had some good interior specs for the time. It came with a six-speaker Bose system, electric front seats with memory, keyless entry and tri-zone climate control for the front and the back seats. What made it stand out at the time though, was the fact that it was a big truck with lots of chrome and had a retail price of around $46,000. 

So, what makes the new Escalade standout like the old one?

Well let’s start with the exterior. Now, I don’t have many details about it, but it's said to have (and you can see them) Cadillac’s, “signature vertical lighting element” but with a new interpretation. Do I think the headlights are nice? Yeah, sure, I guess. But have you seen the rest of the front? Oh boy! Basically, it seems like you’ll be driving a wall on the highway. But Cadillac’s have always been that way and I guess I can applaud them for that. I mean, it’s nice, but it’s pretty big for a front end. Moving around to the back, I think it’s nice, it has long taillights that go from the roof to the bumper, (so they can blind you when you’re behind them) and it looks like it’ll offer a whole heap of room.

Again, I don’t have all of the details but from what I can see now, depending on what model you go with either the; sport, luxury, premium luxury, or platinum it’ll change some minor details to the exterior and interior of the truck. If you go with the sport model, you’ll get a black mesh grill, and blacked out trim, with the luxury or premium luxury you’ll get a Galvano finish, and with the platinum, you’ll get “unique interior and exterior details”. What those details are? I don’t know yet.

Moving along to the interior. Inspired by Cadillac’s Escala concept, which featured an OLED screen, the new Escalade will also have an OLED screen, but this one is curved (ouuu curved). The new OLED screen sits on the dashboard and is completely touch screen, but you also get a rotary style controller and steering wheel controls. The curved screen is an industry first according to Cadillac, but Volkswagen also has a curved screen (although not OLED, but still curved). The screen also offers more than 38 inches of total display area. Yup, 38 inches, almost as big as my TV… With that, it also comes with stainless-steel speaker grills and ambient lighting that you can change to almost any color to really set the mood.

The Escalade also offers, again “a segment-first”, super cruise driver assistance technology. AKA “self-driving” technology. Super cruise technology was first introduced in 2017 which was GM’s version of hand-free driving. At the time it offered a hands-free experience to the driver, while being able to keep in the lane, and have automated cruise control to keep you at a safe distance from the driver in front of you. Now though, it also offers lane changing. Simply put on your flasher, the Escalade will know to change lanes. Also, a lot of it was engineered in Canada, so HA to you Americans. 

With the new Escalade also comes new suspension. In the back, Cadillac has given the Escalade independent rear suspension and available magnetic ride control, air ride adaptive suspension and eLSD (electronic limited slip differential). On the highway, the adaptive suspension lowers and offers better aerodynamics, which it’ll need because it is a massive brick. It also drops two inches to aid people when they need to get in and out. The Escalade also gained some wheelbase (4.9 inches for the standard model) and length overall, and you can raise the truck for when you plan on taking it, uh, camping? I don’t think anyone’s going to take this behemoth off-road, but thanks Cadillac. 

Finally, the fun stuff! POWER! The 2021 Escalade will come with two engine choices. Either, a new 6.2L V8 putting out 420hp and 460ft-lb, or (my choice) a 3.0L turbo diesel making 270hp and also 460ft-lb of torque. Both of those engine choices are attached to GM’s widely used 10-speed transmission. 

Overall? Yeah, I kind of like it. I would love to be able to drive one so I can give my final verdict, but for now I’ll give it two thumbs up. It's pretty, luxurious, has a super spacious interior (they added almost 10 inches of leg room to the third row), and seems like it will be very comfortable to drive. Unfortunately, I don’t have the official retail price as it will be released closer to the release date of the truck. It’s big, it’s comfy, it’s got some chrome, and above all, it’s the new Cadillac Escalade.