We’ll be cruising around in the all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade for the next few days. More specifically, our tester is the Premium Luxury Platinum model.
Built on GM’s recent T1 platform, the full-size SUV saw its exterior dimensions increase slightly, but its cabin volume has increased significantly.
Under the hood, the atmospheric 6.2L L87 V8 comes standard, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, while the Duramax turbo-diesel 3.0L LM2 I-6 is a no-cost option (that’s now finally in production); the diesel makes 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission, which feeds power to the rear wheels, or all four wheels as an option.
Following Cadillac’s Y trim level strategy, the Escalade is offered in base Luxury trim, above which slots Premium Luxury and Sport trims. Moving one rung up the ladder are the range-topping Premium Luxury Platinum (ours) and Sport Platinum models. While the Premium Lux boasts a more classic appearance with Galvano satin exterior trim, the Sport opts for a more modern, monochrome look with gloss black body accents and a black mesh grille.
Platinum models add high-level features such as sumptuous Opus semi-aniline leather upholstery, 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage function, a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference surround sound system, soft-close doors, Magnetic Ride Control, a four-corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and much more.
Pricing starts at $77,490 for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade in Luxury trim, destination freight charge included, while the Premium Luxury and Sport variants carry an $84,290 starting price. The two Platinum editions are both listed from $101,290. The long-wheelbase Escalade ESV costs an additional $3,000 in all cases.
Our tester is coated with the optional Crystal White Tricoat paint ($1,225) while its cabin is dressed up in the Whisper Beige with Gideon accents color scheme. Other options include four-wheel drive ($3,000), Power-retractable Assist Steps with LED Perimeter Lighting ($1,750), Night Vision ($2,000) and a front center console refrigerator ($700), for a grand total of $109,965. While that may sound steep, customers don’t seem too bothered with that, as more than 40 percent of 2021 Escalade buyers are paying more than $100K for the SUV.
If you want to know more about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade beyond the spec sheet, ask your questions in the comments section below, and we’ll start replying promptly as part of this GM Authority interactive review.
Ready… set… go!
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Comments
While the new Escalade shares its architecture with the new Chevrolet Suburban, are there any few suspension differences between the two vehicles? In SavageGeese’s under body review of the Escalade, I thought I saw a double wish bone front suspension on the Cadillac as opposed to the Chevrolet’s coil over shock design in his Tahoe review.
Hello Mr. Pink,
There are no mechanical suspension differences between the Tahoe/Suburban and the Escalade. However, the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and the Magnetic Ride Control are both more widely available in the Cadillac.
How’s the interior quality overall? Is there any cheap plastics that feel flimsy and low grade? For a luxury vehicle in that price point I wouldn’t want any hidden cheap flimsy plastic near me or close to touch. The seat cushions look a little thin, how soft and padded are they? Front and rear seats to be exact.
And the ride quality. Is it firm, smooth, soft, floaty, and do you feel small road imperfections likes cracks, reflector strips, and broken pavement? Does any of those imperfections vibrate into the cabin? Is their any kind of vibrations at all? How quiet is the interior and its material quality vs the competition.
Is their any metal surfaces to touch?
Thanks.
Mr. Cadillac:
Why are you bothered by anything “hidden”?
Another plastics sniffer, these are the new breed of average car consumers of our time that have one and only care about a car; plastics!
Hello Mr. Cadillac,
The interior quality is actually pretty good. Our Premium Luxury Platinum test vehicle has strips of wood veneer, the plastics look and feel rich, the pillars and ceiling are covered in suede-like material, and we like the linen-like covering on the lower portion of the dashboard and door panels. There are is no metal accenting, aside from some thin brightwork on the switches and steering wheel. The only grainy, questionably cheap plastics can be found around the door sills, where they should be more durable anyway. Overall, fit and finish are satisfactory, and compare well to the Lincoln Navigator’s cabin.
The seats are not very cushy, but were supportive for a three-hour drive. The second-row seats felt fine, at least during a short drive. Someone riding in the third-row seat wished for an adjustable seatback angle, which isn’t offered.
The ride quality is very good. We barely felt road imperfections, but there’s no ultra-soft suspension setting like we find in the Lincoln Navigator (which some people might find nauseating). Obviously, the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and Magnetic Ride Control work wonders, and we haven’t driven a T1 SUV (Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade) without them yet. On the other hand, we were expecting better wind and tire noise insulation.
I have a question about the Fat Caddi.
Does the 6.2 V8 have enough power in this application?
Why is an Expedition or Navigator with 2 less cylinders better at acceleration and towing than the Caddi?
Ty in advance
Hello Bfree4me,
The 6.2L V8 offers more than enough power (420 hp, 460 pound-feet of torque), with good throttle response off the line, in addition to a meaty, yet refined growl. However, it does pale in comparison to the Navigator’s twin-turbo 3.5L V6 (450 hp, 510 pound-feet with 93-octane fuel).
The Lincoln’s towing capacity isn’t affected by its engine’s power or piston count, as the Ford Expedition makes do with 375 hp and has a higher maximum capacity (9,300 pounds max versus 8,700 pounds for the Navigator). At this point, it has more to do with the vehicle’s chassis, suspension tuning and electronic stability control systems. As a reminder, the Escalade’s max tow rating is 8,200 pounds with the 6.2L V8, and 8,000 pounds with the turbo-diesel 3.0L I-6.
I just ordered a Platinum Luxury last week, but the dealership can provide no information regarding how long it will take. Is production still running a normal schedule in Texas? Can you confirm that power steps are NOT an option right now because of a parts shortage?
We ordered our PLP in October and are being told it could take another 3-6 months
Well, looks like we’ll be getting a ’22! We can’t even get ours ordered!!!
Either there’s parts shortage issues as of late or the Escalade have a very strong demand that the dealers seem to can’t keep up. We are in the middle of March and most dealers are struggling keeping full inventory since October ’20.
We have been trying to order for a month. Both the black wheels and the bright mesh grille they say are the issue on our build.
Hello SKI,
To our knowledge, there are no supply constraints at the moment regarding the power-retractable assist steps. However, the Arlington plant did have to shut down production for several days due to the recent winter storm, which obviously affected orders and dealer supply. As these lines are being written, the plant is running at full capacity.
There are three camera interfaces on the Escalade. The VR dash camera, the rear camera mirror, and the main camera displays for around the Escalade. In your opinion is the main camera display sluggish and lags like I find they do? The other two camera displays are smooth as silk in my opinion.
Hello Noah,
All the cameras around the Escalade seem to work fine in our test vehicle. That being said, we don’t find the AR display particularly useful. In addition, we’d like a quick-access button for the surround camera system on the center console for facilitating parking maneuvers in shopping mall lots.
Looks awesome!
I placed my order for a loaded Premium Luxury Black Escalade back in November!
When can I expect delivery?
Tony
You have to contact Cadillac or ask your dealer, not this site.
Is the AKG worth the option price? How good do you feel it is?
Also, the Night Vision at $2,000 seems pricey, but then maybe it’s worth it for the additional safety. How often are you seeing things with the Night Vision you may not have seen without it?
What is the cu ft capacity with all seats folded? I’ve seen varying specs for that measure.
How do the screens perform in bright sunlight?
Hello Gar,
Our test vehicle is equipped with the AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker system, and it does offer an immersive sound experience. However, it all depends on what type of media you listen to. The system is so good that it picks up the quality imperfections of the MP3 files on our connected devices. There’s no more CD player, so we have to figure out other ways to enjoy high-quality music such as lossless .FLAC files.
The other thing is that to get the 36-speaker AKG system in the Premium Luxury and Sport trims (it isn’t available in the base Luxury trim), we must also choose the Driver Assist Tech Package, which means dishing out an extra $10K. It’s a nice-to-have sound system, but the base 19-speaker AKG stereo should be fine for anyone who’s not a hardcore audiophile.
The Night Vision system is also a nice-to-have feature, but it’s ultimately non-essential. The Escalade’s lighting system is pretty good, although we’d like adaptive swivelling headlights, and let’s not forget that to use night vision, we have to take our eyes off the road and look at the instrument panel display. Having IntelliBeam headlights mitigates the need for night vision.
With all seats folded, cargo capacity is rated at up to 109.1 cubic feet, a noticeable improvement over the previous-gen Escalade’s 94.2 cubic feet. In comparision, the Lincoln Navigator’s max cargo capacity is 103.3 cubic feet.
As for the screens, they wash out a little in direct sunlight, but the curved display does help in that regard.
I selected the AKG sound system with my new Escalade order last November and I’m still waiting for my vehicle to be built??
So far no news or updates!
Tony
Your dealer will know what options are holding up the process and should be able to offer compromises to get one built.
We’ve been trying to get our order placed for the P L Platinum w/Radiant package since October!! Dealership says GM isn’t accepting orders for cars w/that pkg due to parts shortages. The Onyx pkg has already been cancelled for the rest of the ’21 mfg timeframe. I am expecting the same to happen to the Radiant pkg but can’t find *anyone* who will give a clue as to any status of my questions. Can you shake the knowledge tree to see what falls out???
Hello Rebecca,
The 22-inch wheels included in the Radiant Package (RPO code SET) are currently under constraint due to supplier issues, which is likely the cause for the production delay. Unfortunately, we don’t know when the situation will be resolved, but when we do, we’ll report on it.
Thanks, Mike. I’ve since heard that there are issues at the LA Port Authority getting a lot of supplies through Customs. I also heard that some containers were stacked high as a 10-story bldg! IDK if there’s an ounce of truth there, but hopefully they’ll get it sorted out soon. I have a feeling I’ll be getting a ’22!
Are the second row seats Power Adjustable? Is there a CD/DVD Player? Are there Power Adjustable Pedals? Does the Navigation Suite/Package allow you to add your own land marks or favorites and does it allow you to update the maps yourself with more detailed maps? Is there a “Sport/Off-Road package available with either of or both the Diesel or 6.2 Liter engines? Is there a factory 2 inch lift available? Is there a “Max Towing” (3.42 gears) package available?
Manually adjustable, no CD/DVD player available, Non adjustable pedals, Yes to landmarks/favorites and no to updating yourself (It does have wireless android and apple carplay standard), Both engines are available on both sport and premium luxery, no lift kit available but the factory air ride allows for over 2 inches of travel, I don’t believe at this time but I’m not sure (there is a max trailering package to get the 2 speed transfer case though).
For up-to-date features and tech, goto Cadillac.com for specs and built to order page.
Hello Craig,
It seems as though Noah answered all your questions (thanks Noah!). There is no 3.42 axle ratio available; the 3.23 ratio is included across the board, with both available engines, even with the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package.
I am wondering, if I opt for the Super Cruise system in a 2021Escalade, will it be upgradable to the “Ultra” version that is soon to be released??
I doubt it since Ultra Cruise require extra sensors on the exterior however you will still get over-the-air updates for Super Cruise in the future with other features and etc.
How much difference in ride and handling between the Escalade and the Yukon Denali?
Hello Johnls_39,
Essentially no difference, since they both have the same suspension setups. Well, those with the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and Magnetic Ride Control.
Is there ambient lighting in the back seats?
Hello Kyle,
There’s a faint glow in the rear door panels, and lighting in the second-row footwells. Third-row seat occupants get no ambient lighting at all.
Got the platinum and only 1 issue – When the car Idles it shakes and vibrates as you can feel the motor shaking – sent it for service but they say its normal – i compared it to another Platinum and that didn’t have such a ruff shake as mine does.
How LONG did you wait from date of order to date of delivery?
We are currently telling customers 3-4 months unless their order is with a constrained item. Depends on the volume of the dealership and a little bit of luck from the factory side of things. (We are a significant Escalade dealer so ours may be shorter than most.) not everyone who wants a 2021 will get it. Might be a 2022 arriving late in the year.
Thanks, Noah. Our dealership in Michigan is one of the largest in the country and claims to have a lot more “allocated” Escalades than other dealerships, so 2-3 months SHOULDN’T be a problem on a PLP with stock wheels and power steps. Yet, I’ve got another dealership telling me they can’t even ORDER an Escalade with power steps because they’re not available right now. Our order was allegedly placed about 10 days ago, and nothing came up about power steps, so who knows. I still can’t help but think my sales guy isn’t being completely truthful, and we’re going to easily go more than 3 months with no new Escalade that was ordered with all of the options we wanted.
Thanks!
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