2021 Cadillac Escalade Model Review with Prices, Photos, & Specs
Cadillac Escalade
Key Features
- Starting at $76,195 MSRP*
- Standard 6.2L V8 engine or available Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission (Four-Wheel Drive optional)
- Optional Air Ride Adaptive Suspension featuring Magnetic Ride Control
- Curved OLED with 38 inches of total diagonal display
- Available segment-first Super Cruise™ driver-assistance feature (Late availability)
- AKG Studio 19-speaker sound system
- Optional Mulan leather seating surfaces, 12-way power driver and front-passenger heated and ventilated seats
- Available Augmented Reality-enabled navigation, featuring live street views with directional overlays
About the Cadillac Escalade
No other luxury SUV offers a combination of power, prestige, and presence quite like the iconic Cadillac Escalade. Always a pioneer of innovation and groundbreaking technologies, the Escalade continues to lead the segment with an array of exclusive features not found on the competition. Now in its 5th generation, the Escalade is carefully designed to be instantly recognizable while adding additional layers of sophistication to the exterior. In addition to its standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, drivers can now opt for an available Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel for the very first time on the Escalade. Another signature characteristic of the Escalade is its impeccably equipped interior featuring authentic materials and luxurious comfort amenities. Ready to experience the ultimate full-size luxury SUV? Look no further than the legendary Cadillac Escalade.
What the Critics Say
“This is the kind of product the brand needs to build to compete with a resurgent Lincoln and the ever-present and improving foreign competition. The Escalade should no longer be the default vehicle choice for the rich and famous based solely on reputation but because it’s finally the luxury product it should be.” — MotorTrend
“We can’t emphasize enough what an incredible job Cadillac has done with the interior design and quality. Buyers can variously choose from nine interior colorways, four seat stitch patterns, and seven different (real) woods, and the material selection and the way in which they’re combined is tasteful and elegant—a huge leap forward from the riot of joints and seams in Cadillac’s last-generation models.” — Automobile Magazine
What’s New for 2021
2021 marks the debut of the all-new fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade. This complete redesign includes an exterior makeover, new independent rear suspension, new turbo diesel engine option, revised interior, and an array of segment-first technologies. Without a doubt, the 2021 Escalade has set the benchmark for the full-size luxury SUV segment.
Cadillac Escalade Features
Style & Performance
Demanding attention from every angle, the exterior appearance of the Cadillac Escalade strikes a balance between elegance and confidence. As the flagship of the Cadillac lineup, the Escalade features a sleek, horizontal headlamp combined with a tall, vertical rear light signature. Standard 22-inch wheels provide a prominent stance while complementing the subtle exterior body accents. Beneath the hood lies a potent 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower paired with a state-of-the-art 10-speed automatic transmission. For the very first time on the Escalade, buyers can choose an available 3.0L turbo-diesel engine engineered to produce strong torque across the powerband. In fact, all trims come standard with a trailering package for greater utility. Contributing to the serene ride of the Escalade is its unique combination of available Magnetic Ride Control, Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, and eLSD.
Technology Innovations
A marvel of technological innovation, the Cadillac Escalade is a showcase of some of the most groundbreaking features in the industry. Boasting twice the pixel density of a 4K television, the centerpiece of the interior is an astounding industry-first curved OLED display with more than 38 inches of total diagonal display area. Other available tech breakthroughs include Augmented Reality-enabled navigation, Night Vision, rear-seat entertainment system, and a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system. Super Cruise driver assistance technology, an industry-first for a full-size SUV, offers hands-free driving on more than 200,000 miles of compatible highways in the United States and Canada**. An available Trailering Integration Package includes up to nine camera views for the ultimate confidence when hitching up a trailer.
Impeccable Luxury
Distinguished yet dynamic, the upscale environment inside the cabin of the Cadillac Escalade is a true feast for the senses. Featuring eight color and trim choices, the Escalade can be equipped with several unique seat designs including custom perforation and quilting patterns. New architecture and chassis technologies have significantly expanded interior space, offering 40 percent more third-row legroom and a 68 percent increase in maximum cargo space behind the third row inside standard-length models. With an increase of more than 10 inches in the third row, the Escalade offers one of the roomiest third rows in the segment. 12.6-inch-diagonal independent touch displays with streaming capabilities included with the optional rear-seat entertainment system provide endless hours of engagement on the way to your destination. There’s no better way to experience first-class travel than inside the Cadillac Escalade.
Trims & Specs
Luxury
- Starting at $76,195 MSRP*
- 6.2L V8 engine with Dynamic Fuel Management
- Curved OLED with 38 inches of total diagonal display
- AKG Studio 19-speaker sound system
- 22-inch 14-spoke alloy wheels with Bright Silver finish
- Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and HD Surround Vision
Premium Luxury
- Starting at $82,995 MSRP*
- 12-way power driver and front-passenger heated and ventilated seats, Mulan leather upholstery
- Panoramic sunroof
- Full-color Head-Up Display
- Rear Camera Mirror with Remote Wash
- Driver Awareness Plus includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Sport
- Starting at $85,595 MSRP*
- Performance Package includes Electronic Limited-Slip Differential, Magnetic Ride Control, and Trailering Integration Package
- Gloss-black: front fascia trim, roof rack, window trim, bodyside molding, running boards, liftgate trim, and exhaust bezel
- 22-inch 12-spoke polished alloy wheels with Dark Android finish
- Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist
- Optional Night Vision
Premium Luxury Platinum
- Starting at $99,995 MSRP*
- Unique Platinum Galvano grille
- Leather-wrapped interior trim including instrument panel, console, and upper-door panels
- Full Semi-Aniline leather seats
- AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker sound system
- Rear Seat Entertainment system with dual independent 12.6-inch diagonal infotainment displays
Sport Platinum
- Starting at $99,995 MSRP*
- Driver Assist Tech Package includes Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, front and rear soft-close/-cinching doors, and more
- Optional Console Refrigerator with Freezer Mode
- Gloss-black Sport grille
- 16-way power driver and front-passenger heated and ventilated seats with lumbar and massage functions
- Available Power Assist Steps
*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
**Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. The driver should remain attentive to traffic, surroundings and road conditions at all times. Visibility, weather and road conditions may affect feature performance. Read the vehicle’s owner’s manual for more important safety limitations and information.