The Escalade full-size luxury SUV, a cultural icon and Cadillac's flagship model, is completely redesigned in 2021. While they updated the appearance to reflect current Cadillac principles, the main upgrades are in the areas of passenger comfort, cargo room, software, and driving dynamics. The 6.2-liter V-8 motor from the previous Escalade returns, along with a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline 6-cylinder power plant.
The new Escalade joins the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon as the last of GM's three big SUVs to get a facelift, and it rides on an all-new platform that's bigger in practically every measurement, inside and out. The Escalade gets a new style to go along with it, and it's a delightfully clean and modern take on what has previously been a ridiculous hot mess.
Cadillac manufactures the Escalade in two body types for 2021: normal and extended-length, the latter dubbed Escalade ESV. The Luxury trim comes standard, and the Premium Luxury and Sport trims offer more features. Each is also available in a platinum form. Each SUV model comes with the choice of four-wheel drive (4WD) and a turbo-diesel engine. Overall, the 2021 Escalade is a fantastic value for money and has its own distinct sense of luxury. Let's see how the Escalade compares to the rest of the SUV segment's offerings.
10 Grand Wagoneer
The Grand Wagoneer and the Escalade both offer individual advantages in terms of interior space. Although the Jeep has more cargo room behind the third and second seats, the Cadillac has more overall load-bearing capacity. The Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, can accommodate up to eight passengers, while the Escalade can only accommodate seven.
The Jeep can tow 9860 pounds, but the Escalade can only haul 8200 pounds. The 6.4-liter V8 engine, which generates 471 horsepower and 455 lb of torque, is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unlike Cadillac's SUV, the Grand Wagoneer arrives with 4WD preinstalled.
9 Range Rover
Though some of its electronics should be upgraded, it is the most attractive vehicle and almost definitely has the best off-road capability. It has a spotless, almost minimalist look to it, with no swoops on the surface or tacked-on trim.
The Range Rover in the United Kingdom is available with a bewildering range of engines. Two variations of a gasoline-burning inline-six are offered, as well as a diesel engine. A four-cylinder engine with hybrid technology is also available, as well as two supercharged V8s, the most powerful of which produces 557 horsepower.
8 Volvo XC90 Hybrid
The inside of the Volvo XC90 is simple and elegant, evoking the minimalist design philosophy of Sweden. It's a novel strategy that helps to differentiate the XC90 from rival three-row SUVs. When the battery is drained, the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid adds a mile of EV range to the Escalade, and it gets 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
The Cadillac Escalade will undoubtedly cost more than the Volvo XC90 so the Volvo wins in the value-for-money aspect between the two competitors. And you get Volvo's safety features that made it a popular choice in the first place so that's cool.
7 Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator, which is a crosstown rival, is Escalade's most direct competition. In terms of dimensions, they're nearly identical, although Cadillac has a load capacity advantage over Lincoln.
While Cadillac has two engines–a 3.0-liter diesel and a 6.2-liter V8–Lincoln only has one 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. It's a fantastic alternative to the Escalade, particularly if you're looking for anything from Detroit. Inside, it's roomy, with upmarket accents, and its twin-turbo V6 engine delivers plenty of power.
6 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLS comes with two engines: a turbocharged straight-six and a twin-turbo V8, both of which are electrically boosted for improved performance and efficiency. The V8 produces a stampede of 483, while the six produce a healthy 362 horses.
A mild hybrid is not available in any of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade grades. The Cadillac takes 6.1 seconds to speed up from zero to sixty miles per hour, while the GLS takes 5.2 seconds. In addition, the GLS uses less gas than the Cadillac. The GLS has a luxurious interior and a lot of technology. You can also read a detailed comparison between the 2 SUVs here.
5 Lexus LX 570 (We Wouldn't Buy)
The Lexus LX 570 of 2021 has the appearance of a cave dweller living in modern society. This old-school truck-based SUV will only appeal to a select group of purchasers who place a premium on toughness and dependability over showy technology.
While we appreciate the Lexus' strong V8 and well-crafted cabin, it is one of the market's oldest vehicles and is showing its age. It's not as nimble or pleasant to drive as some rivals, and the in-car technology and driver help to feel a generation behind the times. It doesn't assist that the V8 has a laughably poor fuel economy.
4 Infiniti QX80 (We Wouldn't Buy)
Both the Cadillac Escalade and the INFINITI QX80 can accommodate roughly the same amount of passengers in terms of seating. You can transport more equipment or luggage in the Cadillac Escalade than you can in the INFINITI QX80.
Since it has more front head- and legroom than the INFINITI QX80, the Cadillac Escalade will appeal to taller drivers and front-seat passengers. The Escalade 4WD can be flat-towed (dinghy towed) on all four wheels, enabling recreational vehicle owners to take it on the road with them. The QX80 isn't designed to be towed flat on its back.
3 BMW X7 (We Wouldn't Buy)
The BMW X7 is the company's largest SUV. The Escalade's cabin, internal technology, and general refinement have been improved, putting it on a par with more expensive options like the BMW X7 without sacrificing what made it excellent in the first place.
For carrying enormous weights, the Cadillac Escalade substantially outperforms the BMW X7. Moreover, the BMW X7 has significantly less horsepower than the Cadillac Escalade so the enthusiasts that are looking forward to buying a large SUV won't consider the bimmer over the caddy.
2 Porsche Cayenne (We Wouldn't Buy)
In the luxury midsize SUV class, the Porsche Cayenne is one of the most dynamic performers. Because of its much bigger seating capacity, the Cadillac Escalade will appeal to soccer moms and others who need to drive a large group of people more than the Porsche Cayenne.
You can tote more equipment or luggage in the Cadillac Escalade than you can in the Porsche Cayenne. The Cadillac Escalade is a better deal than the Porsche Cayenne in terms of cost.
1 Audi Q8 (We Wouldn't Buy)
Audi's top-of-the-line SUV for 2021 is the Q8. It shares mechanical components with Audi's three-row SUV, the Q7. The Q8, on the other hand, does away with the third-row seat in favor of a more athletic appearance.
In a similar case like the Infiniti, the Cadillac Escalade has a larger head- and legroom than the Audi Q8, rear passengers will be able to sprawl out a lot more than in the Audi Q8. In comparison to the Cadillac Escalade, the Audi Q8 has a much smaller seating capacity and less cargo space.