The latest fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade was introduced for the 2021 model year, once again offering sumptuous luxury and head-turning style wrapped in a road-dominating SUV body style. While the Cadillac Escalade doesn’t exactly skimp on comfort goodies, it doesn’t offer ventilated rear seats, something which is available from the Caddy’s two closest competitors.
Lincoln Navigator
Grand Wagoneer
As it stands now, the Cadillac Escalade’s lack of ventilated rear seats stands in contrast to the feature list attached to the Lincoln Navigator and the Grand Wagoneer, both of which offer the feature. Ventilated rear seats are included as standard across the board for the Lincoln Navigator, while the Grand Wagoneer offers the feature as an optional extra for the Series II trim, and includes it as standard for Obsidian and Series III trims. Ventilated rear seats are not available on the Grand Wagoneer Series I trim.
As anyone who’s experienced the feature will tell you, a ventilated seat can be a major benefit for those living in hotter climates, keeping the passenger’s back cool and dry, without the sweaty, sticky feeling normally associated with riding in the car on a warm day.
Although the Cadillac Escalade does not offer ventilated rear seats, that isn’t stopping the nameplate from dominating its rivals in terms of sales. As GM Authority covered previously, the Cadillac Escalade was at the top of the list in terms of Q1 2022 sales figures, with 10,505 units sold during that time period, grabbing 60 percent of the segment share.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q1 2022 - USA
| MODEL | Q1 22 / Q1 21 | Q1 22 | Q1 21 | Q1 22 SHARE | Q1 21 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADILLAC ESCALADE | -34.73% | 6,424 | 9,842 | 37% | 48% |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV | * | 4,081 | * | 23% | 0% |
| JEEP GRAND WAGONEER | * | 3,169 | * | 18% | 0% |
| LINCOLN NAVIGATOR | -55.55% | 2,148 | 4,832 | 12% | 24% |
| INFINITI QX80 | -75.49% | 1,064 | 4,342 | 6% | 21% |
| LEXUS LX | -58.36% | 558 | 1,340 | 3% | 7% |
| TOTAL | -14.31% | 17,444 | 20,356 |
What’s more, strong customer demand has lead to some rather substantial dealer markups. Looking ahead, GM will release the new Cadillac Escalade-V, a high-performance version rocking the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine.
As a reminder, the current fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade lineup includes two engine options, namely the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, rated at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, rated at 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Both engines connect to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
Under the body panels, the fifth-gen Cadillac Escalade rides on the GM T1 platform. Production takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
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Comments
First row seats are great, but the 2nd and third row might as well be a nice Tahoe. Step it up Cadillac.
If not this generation Escalade, the next generation will probably offer this feature.
What the hell is wrong with them? I own a 16 platinum and thought that was so ridiculous that the range rover had them and Cadilac didn’t. Now they built this new one with the same BS. Wake the up Gm.