The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is a great luxury vehicle, but despite its body-on-frame platform and four-wheel-drive system, it’s not really set up for off-roading. The standard 22-inch wheels and low-profile all-season tires don’t offer very much grip on dirt, snow, sand and other loose surfaces and the low-hanging front fascia doesn’t offer very much ground clearance.
The full-size luxury SUV’s compromised off-road performance didn’t stop a YouTuber by the name of Nanu Garage from taking his for a day out to the dunes and filming it for his channel, however. His 2021 Cadillac Escalade is a Crystal White Tricoat model in the Sport trim level with 12-spoke gloss black alloy wheels on the stock all-season tires. It also seems to be equipped with the Driver Assist Tech Package, as it also features the Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system. This gives the Escalade a little more off-road capability, allowing the SUV the ability to raise its ride height for increased ground clearance.
Nanu Garage decided to see how the Escalade would perform on the dunes at Pismo Beach, a popular destination for off-roaders on the central coast of California. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get to enjoy the Pismo Beach dunes for very long before the stock Escalade buries itself in the sand and gets stuck. A friendly off-roader in a Ford F-150 Raptor then comes along to rescue the stricken Cadillac, allowing them to continue on their way.
Most people wouldn’t hit the dunes in a $100,000 luxury SUV and this video is a good indicator as to why. That said, a Cadillac Escalade with different wheels and tires would perform much better on the dunes than this stock one did – especially if it was equipped with the optional Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system.
Check out the video embedded below.
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Comments
No one is going take their $100,000 “Sandscalade”anywhere but to the Mall or maybe to pull a boat or trailer.
As said before, a “Z71” package should be offered on Escalade, market it towards Ranger Rover buyers.
Nobody takes a ‘Slade to the dunes or off road. The most difficult takes most do is taking the family to the ski hill and pulling a 200K boat to the “cabin”. The only reason this dude was in the dunes was promote himself. Hardly reason to put off road equipment on one.
I know that out at the National Seashore in Provincetown you have to have the proper tires before you get a sticker to cross the dunes where the sand is a lot deeper than that pictures with the Escalade. You also have to deflate your tires to 10psi before you actually get on the dunes. We do have plenty of Tahoes, Suburbans and Escalades that drive all the way out to the ends of Cape Cod and I have never seen one get stuck. I would say the problem is more the loose nut behind the wheel. Just my opinion.
If you get stuck then10psi is the only answer if there’s no one to pull you out, but its a bit much when just driving around. 20psi should do the job, or even 15 if you want to be super safe especially if you have more tire to work with.
When the rangers say 10psi you do 10psi, it might be 10 or it might be 12psi since gauges are different and tires are hot and cold but the thing is it works. You go with what works especially when you are 5-6 miles or more from any help. The dry sand in this area is at least 3 feet deep so you stay with what is recommended. As soon as you drive off the dunes they have fill up stations so you are not driving on soft tires.
I aired down the tires to 15 psi, maybe more could have helped. Anyways maybe next time leave a comment on my video and ask a question instead of making assumptions…
If you want to go off road buying Lexus GX 460 not a highway land yacht unless your off reading in the parking lot. Dumb.
NANU Garage Perfect! Was it Mork’s idea to go driving off road?
Lower the air pressure and it should not be a problem
GM’s glorified pick-up truck that had to be pulled out by a Ford. Lol
I have seen plenty of Raptors stuck in the sand as well. Full-size trucks/SUVs are not the best choice for sand due to weight.
Relax big nose