One year after the release of the all-new, fourth-generation 2015 Cadillac Escalade and 2015 Escalade ESV, Cadillac is giving its 2016 Escalade and 2016 Escalade ESV several noteworthy changes and updates.
To start, the 2016 model year Escalade and Escalade ESV do away with two exterior colors — Crystal Red Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat. However, four new extra charge colors join the lineup, including Red Passion Tintcoat, Crystal White Tricoat, Gray Silk Metallic, and Dark Emerald Metallic. The latter two colors do not cost extra on the Platinum trim level, with the Emerald Metallic being a spring promotional color.
New features are plenty. To start, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade and 2016 Escalade ESV add Advanced Diagnostics service, which provides advanced warning of vehicle issues via a display in the Cadillac CUE screen, or by text or email message. In addition, the 2016 Escalade adds Lane Keep Assist as well as the rear seat, disc-based entertainment system as an LPO feature (do people still use DVDs?).
As with other 2016 model year Cadillacs, the 2016 Escalade features various improvements to the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, including improved system speed and performance, faster and more accurate map loading and voice command execution, new navigation interfaces, Bluetooth media browsing, and the removal of the SD card slot. Completing the technology updates to the 2016 Escalade is the fact that the front camera view of the Surround Vision feature is now selectable via the Cadillac CUE screen, while the 12″ reconfigurable instrument panel cluster features changes to the Normal Black display, to the chrome rings around information display, and to the Balanced and Enhanced themes, while the Simple and Performance themes are eliminated from the system.
Check the official RPO-level changes:
Deletions
- Exterior color (GBE) Crystal Red Tintcoat
- Exterior color (GBN) White Diamond Tricoat
- SD card slot removed from Cadillac CUE and (D07)/(DCK) covered storage floor consoles
- (Y65) Driver Awareness Package (replaced by [Y86] Driver Awareness Package on Luxury Collection only)
New Features
- Exterior color (G1C) Gray Silk Metallic (available at extra charge; no additional charge on Platinum)
- Exterior color (G1E) Red Passion Tintcoat (available at extra charge)
- Exterior color (G1W) Crystal White Tricoat (available at extra charge)
- Exterior color (GC8) Dark Emerald Metallic (available at extra charge; no additional charge on Platinum. Spring promotional color)
- (VHM) Advanced Diagnostics (provides advanced warning of vehicle issues via a display in the Cadillac CUE screen, text or email message)
- (Y86) Driver Awareness Package, includes Safety Alert Seat, (UHX) Lane Keep Assist, (UEU) Forward Collision Alert and
- (TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps (Luxury Collection only)
- (UHX) Lane Keep Assist
- (UJ5) Rear seat DVD entertainment system, dual independent, LPO
Changes
- Cadillac CUE upgrades include improved system speed and performance, faster, more accurate map loading and voice command execution, faster service reprogramming, redesigned navigation interfaces, single press mute navigation voice/cancel route, expanded cities with 3D maps, route information and next maneuver and BT Media browsing
- Lane Departure Warning RPO Code changes from (UFL) to no RPO Code
- Third row comfort guides become a service part
- (UVH) Surround Vision, front camera view selectable via Cadillac CUE screen
- (UDV) 12″ reconfigurable cluster changes to Normal Black display, chrome rings around information display, upgraded Balanced and Enhanced themes, eliminated Simple and Performance themes
Comments
I thought they came with Blu Ray Entertainment Systems, hate to see the SD card slot go and be nice if they replace it with a Micro SD slot!! 😉
Very few people consume media using cards nowadays. Like CDs and tapes, physical media is dead. Instead, it’s all about iPhones and smartphones.
The RSE systems have remained DVD-based. Not much point of having a high-def image on a small screen that’s not even high res.
No, it is blu ray and you do need it to be able to play the latest movies which are blu ray. Yes you could get them on DVD but who would buy those if you have a blu ray player at home.
We have both Netflix and Amazon prime and mostly use the internet streaming. However if you want the latest movies I find I have to get actual disc from Netflix.
I will add, do you have any small kids? We all have a pile of blu rays to throw in the machine when we travel. Now that there is wifi in the car (well GM products) that may change, but it is the best way to keep them entertained.
Sounds like the new reconfigurable gauge cluster will be similar to that in the CT6
CADILLAC SHOULD BE BUILDIND V8 AND V12 REARWHEELDRIVE LUXURY CARS AND NOT SUV VEHIGLES!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad that you don’t run for Cadillac! Your thoughts are appreciated and subjective but pay attention to the luxury market. Luxury SUVs are one of the fastest growing segments right now.
And Cadillac is building a more advance state of the art V8 while Cadillac has a V8 for the Escalade and CTS-V currently.
I would love to purchase a v8 cadillac car, I have one for 25 years (1990) I am waiting on GM to come out with a V8 car, please hurry
They have a v8 car, it’s called the CTS-V. As well, they have several models with a v6 twin turbo that will far eclipse a stock directed injected v8.
I cant remember the last time I used a DVD. I wonder why the RSE is not integrated better with CUE and the 4G LTE system in order to make use of downloadable content. A simple HDD would be better the a DVD based video system. Even the ability to stream content, or pull from a mobile HDD like a SD card or USB. Even kids dont use DVD’s anymore.
The current system does allow for compatible digital format videos to be played utilizing the USB ports. The disc is not required.
“do away with two interior colors — Crystal Red Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat.”
These are exterior colors
Thank you 62vettefp. We fixed the article to reflect the exterior colors and BluRay media system.
” as well as the rear seat DVD-based entertainment system as an LPO feature (do people still use DVDs?).”
Actually it is a blu ray player. And yes we still use blu ray discs.
Rear-seat entertainment system with 9″-diagonal overhead screen
Blu-Rayâ„¢ compatible
Seems like a bit of moving stuff around. Wher is the real improvements?
What type of ‘real ‘ improvements were you hoping for on a 2nd year vehicle that is generally well regarded and selling like hotcakes?
I am ready to buy as soon as they add active park assist and passenger memory. I have 2013 GL450 and 2014 CTS both with active park assist and will not buy a vehicle without it.
Does anyone know if the CUE system upgrades will be offered as a software update to 2015 Escalades?
Or are the improvements hardware based?
Thanks.
Great Question!! 😉
You cannot upgrade due to hardware updates.
I own a 2015i and the major complaint I have is with the jerky transmission and the slow and glitchie CUE system. GM needs to patch/firmware update the system so it works properly with the iPhone6. Voice commands will not work unless connected to the CUE via Lightening cable.
I would like them to update what features they can in the 2015 cue system. I completely get that some may be hardware based, but the app collection could be better and there are some glitches that could be smoothed out.
In general I love my front seats in my escalade 200 model new seats are narrowed and raised sides cause pressure on people’s satic nerve (which lots of people have ) . Also dealers no longer have demo model in stock to test drive . How can you sell if people can not test it.I forgot they are selling like hotcakes right. dealers should have floor model . I am talking edmonton dealers that can not afford test model
Is there any chance of GM bringing back a Hybrid version of the Escalade?
Hi. Good article. The Escalade gets compared to the Range Rover more than any other SUV because there is no other true competition to these two SUVs currently. Navigator, LX570, GL450, and the Infiniti are on the B-list when someone is truly considering and confused between the Rover and the Cadillac. The Rover has amazing design. But more importantly it has amazing commanding views of the vehicle with the driver seat position and the outrageously airy and bright windows. But it lacks a 3rd row seat. I had a 2013 Rover and loved it. But switching to the Escalade for the 3rd row seat. Yet the problem with the Cadillac is that its a HUGE massive SUV which is hard to park in urban environments yet the inside cabin feels cramped and claustrophobic past the 1st row of seats. The 3rd row is truly a cramped area as far as leg room, head room and lack of window visibility which can make anyone feel car sick! All of this and only 8 inches of ground clearance!? These are just design flaws. GM should have designed the SUV to have better ground clearance and better window visibility all around. Better window visibility for the rear passengers so they dont get car sick and better visibility for the driver so that the driver can tell where the boundaries of the vehicle are. Trust me, once you have driven the big Range Rover you will see how easy it is to drive around town and park in cramped parking lots as well as off road or blast through snow with up to 11 inches of ground clearance! Come on Rover, get a 3rd row seat in there!
God stfu with your lame Rover comments, the rover will never compare to a large family vehicle when space is needed, why the hell is your retarded ass complaining about a large SUV on a LARGE SUV blog if you don’t plan to get it, jesus you have some screws lose. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP YOU DIPSHIT
Escalade looks nice but I keep reading about the poor ride and cramped interior and how the 3rd row is on the floor and rear storage floor uneven so grocerys spill out when the tailgate is opened.
. The other suvs you mentioned may be B list in terms of looks but are,A list for comfort and utility where caddy is C list and rated worst in class for reliability. I guess its all about looks and fashion and escalade has ita,own niche but I wouldn’t buy any GM truck without test driving to see if it has the Chevy shake.
Close to 100k for a full load Escalade and it STILL does not have a glove compartment light.
Can you imagine a Lexus or Range Rover not offering a glove compartment light?
Traded my 2015 Escalade for a brand new 2016 Escalade. First day I noticed transmission jumping from first to 2nd gear and transmissions sounded like it was grinding. Set up an appointment with Cadillac and they had to replace the whole transmission. Dealer won’t take back car and now I’m waiting to here back from GMC. You spend a 100k on a BRAND NEW car and have to have whole transmission replaced the first week. Cadillac needs to step to the plate and take this crap back and replace it with a new one. Very disappointed on how things were handled through dealership. This is my 5th Escalade and probably my last if they don’t get things right. I also have a 2015 Sierra Denali 2500 HD truck that’s in shop with an oil leak issue…
Please GM take care of this customer @PaulReinhart
Does GM not even check this comment/messages area. ? As a die hard loyalist this is disappointing.
Dam no one is talking about fuel , how far on a gallon .and does it witch too 4 cylinder at times. Gas is getting high.