2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Is Stunning, Says Rory Harvey After Driving It

The Cadillac Escalade is well-established for offering impressive luxury and head-turning road presence, but now, General Motors is injecting the nameplate with a double-dose of adrenaline with the upcoming 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, which, according to one GM exec, is simply “stunning” to drive.

During a recent media presentation, Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey said he has had the opportunity to drive the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V “through various phases of its development,” an experience that he classifies as “absolutely stunning.”

“This is one of those that you can’t help but have a smile on your face when driving it,” Harvey said.

Not terribly surprising, given what we know so far. First reported by GM Authority and breaking cover last January, GM has yet to provide the full official details on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, electing to wait until May 11th for all that. Nevertheless, GM Authority has collected a good bit of intel thus far, and the picture it paints is exciting, to say the least.

Let’s start with the most important bit, namely the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine found under the hood. Also equipped by the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, Chevy Camaro ZL1, and C7-generation Corvette Z06, the LT4 always brings the noise, and that should continue with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, where the engine is expected to produce at least 640 horsepower, as well as a beastly exhaust note.

The V8 will likely connect to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission, while beefy brakes and Magnetic Ride Control suspension will keep the monster shiny side up.

Also of note is the revised, more-aggressive exterior, which throws in a sportier front bumper, as well as a unique set of wheels with a multi-spoke design and dark finish. In back, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V rocks quad exhaust tips housed in a diffuser-styled rear bumper treatment. Further upgrades will be found in the cabin with a new steering wheel, among other performance-flavored components.

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2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Photos
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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

Jonathan Lopez

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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  • “This is one of those that you can’t help but have a smile on your face when driving it."

    Those smiles could have been on drivers faces for 14 years if only GM had listened to their buyers all the way back to when the LSA engine was put into production. No excuse for taking this long to come to market with a high-performance luxury SUV - made with 100% off-the-shelf parts - when MB, BMW, Porsche, etc. have been doing it for as much as the last 20 years.

    It's not a difficult formula: Take the most luxurious trim-level SUV, drop in the most powerful engine in your inventory, choose the best appropriate tire/wheel package from your vendors, have engineers tune the suspension and calibrate the package as a whole - and add $30k to the bottom line. It took the aftermarket months to accomplish that; it took GM 14 years.

  • Interesting article from a GM manager / product planner. Finally a real V-Series Escalade! The performance market exists but GM often waits forever until they realize that the customers want GM products with performance!

    And now to the engine:

    I think it will be the LT-5 of the former Corvette C7 ZR-1 with the big compressor since GM and Cadillac bring the last ICE with so much performance (747 HP) with a grandiosely beautiful throaty V8 sound as this is only possible with GM!
    Later, the EV no longer arouse enthusiasm among customers, because for what normal people is the o-60 mls racing important? Not for me - never!

  • I'm confused a GM exec is excited about an ICE vehicle, I thought we were supposed to embrace the EV's?

  • It's still a glorified pick-up truck using ladder frame construction. At least now it has an independent rear.

  • Doesn't look great at all but I"m quite sure it is quality. They shoud have stuck with the angular look of CTS back in the mid-2000.

  • It won't matter, because they cannot seem to get anything to dealers. In a 17 million sar delivery times weren't great, we are in a 14 million sar and GM has smaller market share and delivery times from plant to dealer are horrendous, sometimes months (and that's without a microchip hold up. You use to be able to order a GM from the dealership and have it in 8-12 weeks or sooner shipping times are longer than that now. That's if you can order it, can't seem to get a truck unless it is a 2.7. Very sad.

  • Stunning...

    Grossly Obtuse.

    A true GM product; now let's see which way it Kills it's owners.

  • Grandest irony is I'm still not sure GM gets it. They can't build a product too expensive for the market! Mopar has been slapping big engines into everything when most everything was garbage and making bank. GM has had the superior parts bin for over a decade and still seems reluctant to build higher-end higher margin products many want. Hopefully some of this conservatism disappears in their EV era.