This Is The All-New 2021 Cadillac Escalade
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The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has arrived, debuting in a special media event in Hollywood, California. The overhauled premium SUV brings the Escalade nameplate into an all-new generation, offering up a cornucopia of changes and fresh features, so let’s dive right into the highlights.
Outside, we find the latest Cadillac Escalade draped in brand-new styling, as well as standard 22-inch wheels in the corners. The cabin space was also redesigned, and now offers an extra 10.4 inches of third-row legroom, an extra 80 percent of cargo room behind the third row, and sliding seats for added second-row comfort. On the dash, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade equips a curved organic LED display measuring in at 38 inches.
There’s also two AKG audio systems on offer, with a standard 19-speaker system, and an optional 36-speaker system. Interestingly, the audio setup includes “conversation enhancement,” which uses onboard microphones and speakers to make it easier for passengers to hear one another.
Super Cruise driver assist tech is now offered, and comes with an automatic Lane Change feature activated by the turn signal. There’s also a variety of safety systems onboard, such as Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Rear Pedestrian Detection.
A head-up display and night vision are both optional.
Under the skin, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade now comes with an independent four-link rear suspension. Magnetic Ride Control is optional on Premium Luxury models and standard on the Sport, while Air Ride Adaptive Suspension with Magnetic Ride is available on Premium Luxury and Sport models, and standard on Platinum trims. Cadillac says that ride quality and handling are both significantly improved with this latest generation.
As for the powerplant options, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade comes standard with the naturally aspirated 6.2L L87 V8, which produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. What’s more, the Escalade is now offered with the 3.0L LM2 inline six-cylinder turbodiesel, which produces 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The GM 10-speed automatic transmission provides the cog swaps for both engines.
We’ll have plenty more coverage on the all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade posted very soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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FIRST!!!
Okay then, so what are you 12 years old?
Looking gorgeous! Well done, Cadillac. It’s been worth the wait.
Crossing my fingers that the materials live up to the design
I’m starting to understand the warmed over CT4/CT5/XT6 interiors. This is where the design team was focused. I just hope that now that they’re done withthe Escalade, they will focus on other models.
Can you imagine a CT6 re-launch as a Fleetwood or Escala with this dash and interior?
Looks pretty nice and maybe GM actually made a decent interior. I shudder to think about the price.
Looking good but the mini Escalade graphic on the dash looks like is outta GTA 3 SA. Wonder will CJ will run on the screen to steal it?, it’s probably a Cavalcade…..😉
They are going to sell a sh*t ton of these. Looks they put most of the money into tech and interior feel. Exterior is familiar but new. Imagine this with the Blackwing!
It does need a chrome strip around the center dash screen/buttons (below touch screen). Would be nice to have black plastic replaced with chrome or color
Matched plastic. Things that make an amazing design a bit more cohesive.
Already want to see it in person 😍
You know, I think maybe Cadillac pulled this one off after all, especially the blingy, non-sport versions. Although I can see a resemblance to the XT6, somehow this works far, far better, and the interior looks terrific – killer dashboard.
it’s called a family image, the cars will feature design queues shared between them all.
You get the point!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXb_0PZJy-s
That Interior is Amazing. If they follow through with this into the crossovers, then it would be a real hit.
https://youtu.be/6PMOSztfXIc
Escalade has been my favorite car for as long as I remember. I just traded in my 2018 Escalade for a 2020 CT5. I planned on getting the new Escalade in about 2 years but I’m honestly disappointed.
The interior looks amazing! But the exterior looks identical to the 2014 model. That’s a bummer.
does it have ventilation for second row seats?
yes
Does anyone know for sure? We are going to upgrade our 2017 premium luxury to a 2021 premium luxury platinum and we want that feature..
I’ll tell you what. For the first time in I think ever, I can honestly sit here and say that Cadillac has crafted a WORLD-CLASS INTERIOR.
WOW.
Particularly in the second picture at the end of the article, you can see the incredible craftsmanship of the interior. Look at the nearly air-tight, almost nonexistent panel gaps! Look at the leather, the metal, that beautiful wood! 8 available types of wood!! And maybe most strikingly, look at the terrific color options! No more getting stuck with dull black!
And then, to top it off…that OLED screen is absolutely incredible. I cannot believe that Cadillac, the maker of the pathetic ATS’V instrument cluster, has crafted this masterpiece. It’s the most advanced system in the industry.
I simply can’t believe this.
And then you just tack on the incredible amount of features? Super Cruise? Check. OLED 38 inch display? Check. Soft-closing doors? Finally! Fridge/freezer? Check. Augmented reality navigation? You got it. AKG sound system, the first in the entire industry? Check. Check. Check!
What we have here is the first truly world-class Cadillac in generations. Unbelievable job.
Cadillac did a great job on this interior. I actually was part of a blind test on this infotainment system and I have to say it was very impressive. One screen no one is really showing is the first infotainment home screen which shows you Music, Navigation, and Phone status all on one screen. Combined with the rest of the screen real estate its somewhat information overload but actually becomes really easy because everything you want is displayed all at once, you don’t have to navigate through multiple menus to find basic information. Combine that with redundant physical controls for the touch screens, steering wheel controls, voice control, and physical climate controls, its extremely powerful but still easy to use. The cluster screen is still configurable though so you can go into more minimalist screen if you don’t need all the info.
Can’t wait to see this system and interior filter down in the lineup!
And check out the 110 pictures here from Motor Trend – look at the metal, the headliner. The attention to detail, from these images, looks to be perhaps the greatest in the history of Cadillac.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-cadillac-escalade-giant-curved-oled-screen-facts-details/?galleryImageId=2408065
Overall, great new Slade. A few things that stand out to me: First, is it just me or is the center console super wide? But it looks good. Second, although I think the huge screens look better than I thought it would, it still looks like there will be a ton of distractions going on. Good thing they will offer super cruise because it will need it. Lastly, I still don’t care for the grille/headlights as much as the XT6. Something seems missing there and I think it looks nice, but would look much better if the surround went all around instead of stopping at the headlights.
The wood trims look fantastic. The colors seem to be better. Overall, I’m really excited to see one in person.
I’m conflicted. There are great bits, okay bits & bad bits.
– Exterior:
The front end is growing on me, kudos to Cadillac for offering 3 different grille designs. Imo, they should’ve gave the Sport a unique front bumper (like the CT5 & XT6) though.
The side profile of the SWB model is horrendous. I’m sorry, but that C-pilar is atrocious. I knew deep down the Escalade gonna have it the minute I saw the new Tahoe. I hoped & prayed that Cadillac will finally have its own sheet metal this time, but to no avail. I think the SWB SUV version of T1XX was deliberately designed as a Chevy, as evident by the awful Traverse-inspired C-Pilar & everyone else just had to deal with it. It reminded me of an interview with JDN, he said everytime GM designed/engineered something, they did it for Chevy without any input from the other divisions & they just had to live with it (He used an engine as example).
Thank God the ESV won’t have it.
The rear end is more of the same, about dang time they gave the Escalade permanent dual exhausts!
– The interior.
First things first, thank everything holy in the world that there’s not a single carbon fiber piece in sight.
The dashboard is the star of the show, it turned out much better than I expected, imo better looking than the Escala. The screens, wood, brightwork, matte metal and the fabric (Platinum & Platinum Sport only) work together perfectly. Now that’s a proper Cadillac! I was so certain that the fabric won’t make it to production, I’m glad they finally proved me wrong on something. The woods they picked feel & look luxurious too. My only complaint about the dashboard is that awful GM standard issued start button … Ugh.
The center console is so so for me. The design itself is pretty neat and the materials look spot on … For the most part. I never been a fan of that shifter design, it looks cheap. Imo the buttons would’ve look much better if they were metal (same for the window switches) & the rotary controller was crystal with a Cadillac Godess inside it like the Escala.
From the looks of it, there are 4 different designs for the seat inserts. Plain inserts on the base Luxury model, Diamond quilted inserts on Premium Luxury & Sport, Perforated inserts on the Platinum Luxury & futuristic Art Deco style inserts on the Platinum Sport (my favorite). Kudos to team for this one.
The Caption Chairs & Door Cards are where things fall apart for me. I never liked the 2 individual Captain Chairs with the pathway in the middle, imo a proper 2nd row center console would’ve been better.
As for the Door Cards, I think they’re ugly and I’m convinced at this point that Cadillac can’t design good ones even if their lives dependent on it, I’m sorry.
Also the Steering Wheel’s center/airbag should be leather with stitches on all models, not just the Platinum models.
– Misc:
A Panoramic roof, Halalua!!!
No more Bose speakers! An AKG system with 19 & 36 metal speakers instead.
According to MotorTrend, there are 4 interior colors on offer. Beige, Black and White, Tan & a Maroon/Burgundy interior.
GM standard issued Pedal Shifters.
The wheel designs are kinda generic.
Imo, the Sport models should have metal accelerator/brake pedals.
Maybe someone can deal you a fresh set of door cards out of a door deck…..
Do you play poker with door cards?
Such a pretentious term, suddenly you watch one Wheeler Dealers episode and its all “door cards and bonnets”
DOOR PANEL.
Unless you’re actually british, then keep calm and carry on and great job on brexit……..
Honestly i wish they took cues from the Escalade and put them into the XT6 since they were being developed around the same time. This is the a worthy successor to the current Escalade!!!
Amazing. Now bring the V and the full electric versions
The dashboard looks brilliant. But Cadillac still does not get how to make small details.
Almost every buttons on the doors,around the shifter are from the old and cheap models. Made by cheap plastic. They simply don’t belong to this interior. Gm should take a look at the mb and learn how to make the details. Even the outgoing C class has more expensive looking buttons and knobs.
As for the exterior. Current one looks better. New one looks like a bus.
Please gm stop counting the beans. Uve made the most beautiful dadhboard,but failed with small details again. 🙁
Bullcrap, the buttons on a Mercedes look just as a cheap if not cheaper.
Overall, very well done! GM’s full-sized rigs are looking very good this generation! Inside and out! The only thing I’d like to see offered on this new Escalade is the option of that 4.2L TTV8! I have no issues with the LT1, and it’s a solid choice as the base engine! But that Blackwing would make this ‘Slade near perfect!
I wonder if that Sport model will get it, maybe as a Sport V version.