2026 Cadillac Escalade-V Model Review with Prices, Photos, & Specs
Cadillac Escalade-V
Key Features
- Starting at $168,000 MSRP*
- 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque
- 0-60 in 4.4 seconds
- Brembo® performance front brakes
- Air Ride Adaptive Suspension
- Magnetic Ride Control
- Electronic Limited-Slip Differential
- AKG Studio Reference Surround 38-speaker Audio System with available Dolby Atmos®
About The Cadillac Escalade-V
The standard Escalade isn’t exactly underpowered or slow, so when Cadillac decided to make a high-performance version, it had to be something really impressive. Fortunately, the Escalade-V is absolutely that and then some. It has a big supercharged V8 engine, massive brakes, a V-specific AWD system, and an incredibly sophisticated suspension system. It’s also the top trim of the Escalade, and has an interior befitting that status. Advanced technology is used throughout, and to great effect, enhancing everything from performance to the audiophile-grade stereo system. It’s hard to overstate just how much the Escalade-V is a truly unique vehicle, unlike anything else on the road.
What the Critics Say
“Stabbing the accelerator produced a prodigious rush of thrust, the Escalade V’s nose edging up like a Chris-Craft rising up on plane. Even if the push felt a tad muted compared with the likes of superpotent EV SUVs from Lucid, Rivian or Tesla, it’s far more visceral: power building like anticipation in each gear as a wave of force pushed me and the surrounding steel and leather ahead.” – Road & Track
“Push the start button and the supercharged V roars to life. A cold start is like waking the devil from its sleep with a thunder clap of American pride. The dual exhaust (quad tips) settles after a minute into a low, deep, guttural burble. Throttle tip-in is sensitive and the V doesn’t just roll off the line, it leaps. The rear end squats and the front end lifts as if the wheels might come off the ground with the torque shift. It’s like a rollercoaster.” – The Drive
Cadillac Escalade-V Features
Ferocious Performance
To turn the Escalade into the Escalade-V, Cadillac attached a supercharger to the 6.2-liter V8 under the hood. This might not sound like much, especially since the naturally aspirated version already produced a potent 420 horsepower. But the V version pumps out 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque, enough to get the massive SUV from 0 to 60 in just 4.4 seconds. A 10-speed automatic transmission transmits that power to all four wheels via a sophisticated AWD system that is available only on the V (other Escalade trims are available in either RWD or 4WD). Reining in all of that power is a set of Brembo® performance brakes, complete with six-piston front calipers. Adaptive Air Ride suspension keeps you comfortable, but also enhances performance by reducing side-to-side movement and allowing for height adjustments to lower or raise the center of gravity as needed. Magnetic Ride Control, a technology that has been used to greatly enhance handling in the Corvette, is also included as standard.
Luxury Interior
Cadillac doesn’t ask you to sacrifice any comfort for the sake of all that performance. In fact, the Escalade-V comes with the most well-appointed interior in the Escalade range, with even features like a console refrigerator/freezer as standard equipment. Power open/close doors are also standard, a good way to make graceful ingress and egress with such a large vehicle. The standard stereo is an AKG™ Studio Reference 38-speaker audio system with Dolby Atmos®, and this can be expanded to 42 speakers if you opt for the Executive Second-Row Seating Package, which also adds ventilation to the heated second-row seats, 10-point massagers, second-row wireless chargers, and stowable tray tables. Leather upholstery is, of course, standard, as is three-zone climate control and remote start, so the spacious interior is already a comfortable temperature when you get in.
Advanced Technology
It’s simply not possible to turn a full-size SUV into a performance machine without generous use of advanced technology, and the Escalade-V went above and beyond in this department. Six different driving modes let you easily adapt to changing conditions or just how you feel like driving. All versions of the Escalade come with a dash-spanning 55-inch Hoizon Display™ screen that includes infotainment controls for the passenger. This display is used for a number of things, including an augmented reality mode for the navigation system, which overlays route guidance over top of a live video feed of what’s in front of the vehicle. Or if you prefer, a large full-color head-up display lets you keep an eye on important information without taking your eyes off the road. The V even comes with standard night vision, the automotive application of which was a technology first pioneered by Cadillac. Lastly, if you’re looking for a more relaxing drive, the Escalade-V comes with Super Cruise®, an advanced form of cruise control that lets you sit back and let the vehicle handle driving duties on the highway, even allowing you to take your hands off the steering wheel.
Trims & Specs
V-Series
- Starting at $168,000 MSRP*
- 6.2-liter supercharged V8
- AWD with single-speed transfer case
- 24″ Split 6-Spoke alloy wheels with full Satin Graphite paint and full-face laser etching
- Unique front and rear fascias
- Black quad exhaust tips
*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.