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2021 Cadillac Escalade A Semifinalist For 2021 North American Utility Of The Year

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has been named a semifinalist in the 2021 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) Awards.

The all-new luxury SUV is up for a 2021 North American Utility of the Year award and is up against fourteen other utilities and crossovers for the grand prize. Other luxury vehicles that are in the semifinals include the Land Rover Defender, Genesis GV80 and Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade isn’t the only General Motors product up for a 2021 North American Utility of the Year award. The closely related 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are also in contention, along with the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer subcompact crossover.

In a statement, NACTOY President Gary Witzenburg said many of the models on the semifinalist list “make bold statements that are intended to distinguish them within their segments,” and have either “have groundbreaking designs or off-the-charts capabilities.”

One way the 2021 Cadillac Escalade seeks to make such a “bold statement” is through its 38-inch curved OLED display. The display has twice the pixel density of a 4K television and the largest color range available in the automotive industry, which should impress judges in today’s tech-obsessed world.

Other notable improvements over the previous generation Escalade include the new T1 platform, which features a more refined independent rear suspension setup, and the available Air Ride Adaptive suspension, which combine with the existing Magnetic Ride Control dampers.

The standard engine in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is a 6.2L L87 V8 engine, which is paired with the GM 10-speed automatic transmission. A GM 3.0L LM2 inline-six diesel engine is also available as a no-cost option, which comes with the same 10-speed automatic.

NACTOY says it will now work to select three finalists from each category (Car, Utility, Truck) ahead of an announcement in December. The winners for each category will be announced in January 2021 during an event hosted by the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. I wish these awards or others would take end consumer into consideration when it comes to sustaining and maintenance of the vehicle. What features does the vehicle have that make it easier to service. Take the mentioned display. If it needs to be serviced, how much would it be in book hours and parts? That is what I need from a vehicle, the awards and this magazine.

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    1. I agree they really sure that’s the best real world feedback you can get. I like the 2020 Escalade over this new front end look, the 2021 has a nicer dash area

      Reply
  2. Not a fan but the Ford Bronco will take it.

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    1. Bronco isn’t up for a vote this year. Something to do with when production begins, I believe they just missed the cutoff. The Escalade has a really good shot.

      Reply
  3. This is by far the best Cadillac as a whole. Inside out practical use styling. Interior is really good looking. I hate SUV’s but after watching a review comparison between a Silverado trail boss and Yukon at4, makes me want a Tahoe Yukon or Escalade…

    Reply
  4. Early July I Ordered myself a New 2021 Premium, Luxury, Platinum Escalade. Can’t wait for it to Arrive, this will be my 4th New Escalade. Don’t Know how to Explain it But once you’ve Owned One, Nothing Else Compares. Thanks for the Wonderful Team for Putting Together the Best Escalade Ever. Hats Off to The Entire Team “Great Job” Yes Cadillac is Cool Again. Best Regards, Ken Barthel

    Reply
  5. It should be a 3 way tie among the triplets for the award. Also have them select the trim level from each model they like the most. How can you select just one.

    Reply
  6. I hope it wins.

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  7. Cadillac’s Escalade is a great vehicle; but for the most part it is still a Chevy Suburban and doesn’t even have an extra exclusive engine as it would have been great if the Escalade was equipped with the Cadillac Blackwing V8.

    Reply
  8. Only GM, Ford, and Tesla vehicles assembled in North America (from Canadá to Panama) must qualify for the three awards, not the imports.

    Reply
  9. What a horrible looking vehicle from that pic. A mish mash of design. Horrible. Interior a winner some what. BRONCO takes it for being innovative and good looking – and I hate FORD.

    Reply
    1. The Bronco is neither innovative nor good looking. But I suspect it’ll take the prize.

      The judges like affordable vehicles and Escalade loses on that point.

      Reply
  10. I’ve owned several escalades and I just don’t understand why this design a semi-finalist. If the only thing Carillac can talk about is an38 inch screen then you know the rest is not that well crafted.

    Reply

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