This fourth-generation Cadillac Escalade, spotted in a parking lot in Florida, has a number of custom features and add-ons that make it look a bit like the Sport trim level for the new 2021 Cadillac Escalade.
As some readers of this site may know, Cadillac has applied its Y-trim level strategy to the new fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade. Under this directive, Cadillac models are offered in base ‘Luxury’ trim, with the trim levels then branching out to Premium Luxury and Sport. The new 2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport is differentiated from Luxury and Premium Luxury models by its gloss black exterior trim, gloss black mesh grille and trim-specific 22-inch wheels. The Luxury and Premium Luxury models, by comparison, feature a bright chrome grille, chrome exterior trim and more ornate wheel designs.
This custom fourth-gen Cadillac Escalade follows a similar pattern as the 2021 Escalade Sport with its black-painted grille, gloss black trim and large gloss black aftermarket wheels. It goes a step further than the production Escalade Sport, however, with its black and white painted Cadillac emblems, blacked-out taillamps and black painted exterior mirrors.
This customer-owned Escalade serves as evidence that Cadillac was right to apply its Y-trim level strategy to the new version of the luxury SUV. While the full-size SUV isn’t a performance vehicle by any means, there are many Escalade buyers out there who wanted a less chrome-intensive exterior appearance and could not get it on the fourth-generation model from the factory. If this particular customer ever wants to upgrade to the new fifth-generation Escalade, we’re sure they will be pleased to find they don’t have to turn to the aftermarket to get gloss black exterior trim, sportier wheel designs and a black grille.
As we covered in the past, the Sport trim level now accounts for roughly half of all Cadillac sales, so it’s not just Escalade buyers that are taking to this new trim. The Sport trim level is also offered on the Cadillac XT4, Cadillac XT5 and Cadillac XT6 crossovers, along with the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5 sedans.
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This story was written in collaboration with our sister site, Cadillac Society.
Comments
Special edition model names in domestic auto sales means very little and almost everyone who is shopping for a Cadillac Escalade that there are just a handful of options especially in a $90K Escalade and despite the tweaks, there’s very little difference between the top tier model and the entry level model.
Looks a lot like 2019.
The “AutoZone / JC Whitney” look