The 2015 Cadillac Escalade will begin arriving at Cadillac dealers later this month, and customers interested in the fourth-generation of one of Cadillac’s most easily recognizable nameplates will want to know if it is any good. Luckily, major automotive media outlets have already gotten their hands on the new Escalade, giving us a firsthand account of what the full-size SUV is like to drive and spend a short journey in.
Autoweek’s review will give you a pretty good idea of what the 2015 Escalade is all about. They first touch base on the Escalade’s 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8, which is making 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque in the SUV. AW says the V8’s power “comes on smooth and stays smooth,” even when it reverts to fuel saving four-cylinder mode. We already know the engine can perform when needed, too, able to propel the 5,600 lb SUV from a standstill to 60 mph in a smidgen under six seconds.
As far as the Escalade’s ride goes, it is helped immensely by the standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension system, which can be switched between sport and touring modes through a button on the dash. AW says when they switched between the two, they could immediately feel the difference on both bumpy roads and during lane change maneuvers. They also said the overall ride was much stiffer than expected and much less “floaty” than that of Escalades past.
The interior, arguably one of the most important aspects for a luxury vehicle such as the Escalade, fulfills Cadillac’s “Standard of the World” ideology. Unlike in previous Escalade’s, Cadillac says that everything inside which looks like metal is actually metal, and everything that looks like wood is actually wood. AW notes the interior panel gaps are very tight and overall, the Escalade has “one of the best American interiors available,” second only to the Cadillac ELR.
With the 2015 Escalade, Cadillac is gunning for full-size rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GL-class and the Infiniti QX80, however AW mentioned its level of equipment and overall fit and finish don’t put it out of Land Rover’s league. It costs about the same as its rivals, depending on which model you go for, and offers a lot of SUV for the money. Their verdict? If you’re in the market for full-size SUV, you should stop and take a look at an Escalade, as it is “every bit as good as the alternatives — if not better.” Check out Autoweek’s full first drive review right here.
Comments
As the worlds biggest Cadillac fan I am STILL not impressed. Cadillac Escalade is still only a Tahoe in a suit and for what they are now asking in MSRP its beyond ridiculous especially in 2014. Even more especially since we have to accept the fact they did so much with the new ATS and CTS. This is much as the fail as the Impala in a suit ‘XTS’. Embarrassing and I wish Cadillac would knock off this ‘Standard of the World’ business unless they go hard or go home. #ConsistencyPleace The Range Rover is King not in sales but in execution. The GL Class by Benz is next… King of bling is played out. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the next generation. Lincoln Navigator surpassed the Escalade since Ford is being so consistent with product and Im not a bug fan of them… Wake me up when we see an exclusive Escalade.
i agree gm has completely lost there minds on pricing. was gonna buy the new denali but at over 70k its just not worth it. you could pay as much as 90k for escalade just stupid. id rather support a company making real inovation. im not a truck guy but prol gonna get new f!50. its gonna be nice, support a company that really pushes the envelope and see where it takes us!
“Cadillac Escalade … for what they are now asking in MSRP its beyond ridiculous especially in 2014.”
“Wake me up when we see an exclusive Escalade.”
*Worries about platform sharing with the Tahoe*
*platform sharing is a decades old industry practice used by all mainstream automakers*
Contradict much?
Remember kids, if you worry about price, you’re not luxury consumer.
You missed my d*mn point. As a gay man its quite the shame I have to explain myself to straight men who have the cliche of thinking they know so d*mn much about cars. I know platform sharing is and has been in the game forever and not going anywhere. Look at a VW. Thats the correct way to platform share. You couldn’t tell a Porsche Cayenne and the VW Touareg from each other if you didn’t know what were under the bones. The Escalade is STILL VISUALLY a Tahoe dummy. Thats what I was saying. As the Caddy fan I am, Im not buying it. The rest of the world can. I just know they can do better. Kudos to them that it sells like it does. I hope the half assness in the Escalade are profits going into the LTS (or whatever Omega will be named) because that new S Class is one hell of a bitch.
It’s still better than the tahoe.
“It’s still better than the tahoe.”
Exactly. It may look similar to a Tahoe in some people’s eyes, but the Escalade is still a better product in it’s execution and build quality. The pictures say as much, but they don’t say as much as putting your eyes and hands into it.
even though the new tahoe is pimped out now.
“Still better than a Tahoe”
If we are being biased just because its the CADILLAC version of the Tahoe then we are still stuck in the past and will never get it past the competition. Looking better than or still being better than a “Tahoe” isn’t enough for the STANDARD OF THE WORLD…
I realize why I left this site now. #smh You all are a mess. I can see by the thumbs down…
As I’ve stated, you’re not a luxury consumer, and therefore aren’t able to make the distinction between a Tahoe and an Escalade.
Enjoy the world outside of GMA and the luxury markets, and remember to keep your hashtags on twitter.
I Know that’s right.
Lincoln Navigator is a big time joke.
This Cadillac in making it; like a big truck using celebrities to differentiate themselves, I find interiors spectacular finish.
Maybe Cadillac asks that expensive money for it, why he knows he has some regular customers who always want to have.
Having an Escalade is cool, and now the Escalade want to be cooler than ever
Regards from Spain
Okay so here goes nothing, and let the downed thumbs reign down upon my head! 🙂
I have been an avid GMT900 enthusiast, and as a result had purchased four such SUVs including my last two being Escalades. I was really looking forward to the new redesign and had every intention of purchasing a 2015 Escalade … that is until I saw it. I could go into a hundred reasons as to why I find the new exterior design lacking, in fact I find it detestable, but that’s just me and my personal taste so I’m happy to leave it at that. The pricing of the Tahoe/Yukon are risible, especially when armed with such super advanced technology as that of rear leaf spring suspension, but that’s another conversation. The interior of the Escalade is beautiful, and it’s very comfortable, but to my eyes it cannot be beautiful or comfortable enough to make up for its external unattractiveness.
So I traded my 12 Escalade Premium for a 2014 full size Range Rover V8 Supercharged as I was fortunate enough to be offered one by my local dealer without having to wait six months when its original orderer backed out at the last minute.
Why?
Because at the price point GM will end up selling the Platinums for when they come out I might as well plop down the extra $15K and get the actual thing the Escalade pretends to compete with. My only hesitation was knowing the bulletproof nature of the GM 6.2, and that no matter how many people tell me that LR have changed their ways and become very reliable with their new vehicles, there’s a chance that my new vehicle will spend as much time at the dealer service bay as it will do in my driveway. This is my gamble and I hope I don’t lose it. That said, it’s not like GM is swimming in reliability these days.
But please let’s be serious, this vehicle comes with a monster 510HP, 20″ Brembos, legendary off road capabilities, impeccable road manners, elegant and proportional design, and the finest finishes, and that’s in part why they’re paying $100K over sticker for them outside the US, why there’s a long waiting list for them, and why they sell for more used than new. So please, let’s not get carried away and start comparing the Escalade to them simply because GM decided to price the Escalade at this level, for that is the only thing they have in common. GM would have to mate a Vette and an Escalade and teach its offspring to rock crawl to come close to the RRV8SC. They’d also need to learn that the only vehicles with front clips twice the size of rear clips are snowplows, but again I digress.
I really wanted to like this new Escalade, but GM didn’t give me enough good reasons to purchase it. Thankfully they’re making something called the Z06, and I’m on the waiting list for one of those … for it’s really what GM does best.
Fire away if you must.
I have loved my 2007 Escalade ESV and she has been an amazing car for 6.4 years, 189K miles. I am wait-listed for the redesigned 2015 and I cannot wait. The interior looks Delicious with the hand-stitched kona leather and upgraded electronics. Apparently, the roll out is delayed and I am told 13 weeks until delivery.
Folks you have to look at the big picture here.
Things have changed and will continue to change at Cadillac.
#1 Cadillac is not longer the volume luxury brand. Lets face it many of their models were sold cheap enough you would see one outside more trailer park rec halls than Carnegie Hall. There was no exclusiveness to them. That is changing as there will be less Cadillac’s sold and they will make it up on price.
#2 The Escalade is a last of a dying breed. Enjoy em while you have them as the large SUV is only going to get more expensive and less in numbers. Again CAFE will force all MFG to limit numbers sold on these models and they will make up the profits and limit sales with higher prices. Nearly all V8 models will go this plan. This way the MFG can still sell them but the public will limit themselves to how many are sold. It is either that or sell 10,000 units and then tell customer sorry no more.
#3 Cadillac has a handful of new SUV’s coming that will be more of what some of you are looking for. They have indicated a Alpha bases SUV is coming and it may be in tow different models and sizes. It will be more BMW like and more sport oriented. There also will be a couple AWD SRX like replacement’s coming.
You really have to look at the big picture here and what else is going on. The fact is this is nothing but a Yukon with more trim and options. Hell the first one only had a new nose cap and GMC sheet metal. There is only so much they are going to do here as this size segment is going to be limited. But there are still very profit rich sales here so they will continue to sell the.
If Cadillac can figure out the Omega platform there is work we may see a SUV there also. This one I would expect to replace this one in the future.
As for now while some are disappointed GM will still sell as many as they expected and make huge profits on this model. I would never spend this kind of money but in some circles these are status symbols and if they are more power to em.
Lets face it while this is still part of the old Cadillac can you blame them for making money off of this that will help play for the other models they are working? While this is not the perfect model for them it would be stupid to leave the money on the table. If someone will buy them you had better build them.
I would recommend watching as GM has clearly stated a number of SUV’s for Cadillac already and this was not one they were talking about. In the end there should be a little something for everyone.