Cadillac Escalade features luxury, technology, performance for 2022
Cadillac’s big family hauler, the Escalade, got a complete makeover just last year, bringing new styling, interiors and “pioneering technologies,” and, for the first time, the choice of a diesel engine.
As before, the Escalade comes in two body sizes: the regularlength Escalade, at 211.9 inches; and the Escalade ESV, at 226.9 inches.
The two sizes are like the difference between the Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Suburban, which are essentially siblings to the Escalade and Escalade ESV (as are the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL).
For this report, we tested the regular-length Escalade, which comes in four trim levels: the Luxury model ($77,795, plus $1,795 freight, 2WD); Premium Luxury ($86,595, 2WD); Sport ($89,595, 2WD); and Platinum ($104,095, 2WD).
Available on all trim levels, four-wheel drive is an extra $3,000.
Our tester was the standardlength Escalade Premium Luxury 4WD model (base price $89,595), with the 6.2-liter engine. The optional diesel engine is $100 more across the line.
The newest Escalade also is roomier inside for passengers and cargo, especially in the third row, where there is an additional 10 inches of legroom in the regular-length model. Cargo space also expands by 68
percent behind the third row in the standard-length model.
These boosts in passenger and cargo space resulted from a longer wheelbase and longer overall vehicle length, as well as a new independent rear suspension, which allows for a lower interior floor.
Standard power for the Escalade comes from a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, which cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 footpounds of torque.
The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, which is designed for trailering capability, provides 277 horsepower, along with the
same 460 foot-pounds of torque found in the 6.2-liter gasoline engine.
Both engines are connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control. All of those extra gears do take a bit of getting used to if you’ve been driving vehicles with simpler automatics, but they are there to help boost performance and fuel efficiency at the same time.
A trailering package is standard on all models. An enhanced trailering experience is offered with the available Trailering Integration Package
(not included on our tester).
Maximum towing capacity on the Escalade is 8,300 pounds on two-wheel-drive models, and 8,100 pounds on four-wheeldrives.
Our four-wheel-drive 6.2-liter gasoline-powered standard Escalade had a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
These well-equipped and luxury–appointed big SUVS have seating for up to eight people, and plenty of cargo space. The available seven-passenger seating layout – included on our tester – includes dual captain’s chairs in the middle row instead