Cadillac Escalade-V

The Cadillac Escalade-V is a high-performance variant of the regular-length Cadillac Escalade. The extended-length Escalade ESV is also available in the V-Series flavor as the Escalade-V ESV.

Quick Facts

Model years:	2023 – present
Assembly Location:	Arlington Assembly Plant, Arlington, Texas, USA
Layout:	Front-Engined, Longitudinal
Engine:	Supercharged 6.2L V-8 LT4
Horsepower:	682
Torque:	653
Transmission:	GM Hydra-Matic 10-Speed Auto
Driven Wheels:	All-Wheel Drive
Confirmed Availability:	USA, Canada, Mexico, Middle East
Predecessor:	none
Successor:	–

First Generation

The 2023 model year marked the first for the Cadillac Escalade-V, and is the first time an SUV has worn a V-Series badge.

Under the hood, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V draws motivation from the same supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine as what’s current offered in the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing super sedan. For the Escalade, the supercharged eight-cylinder is tuned to deliver 682 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 653 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It is topped by a 2.65L R2650 supercharger that spins at 13,500 RPM to generate approximately 10 pounds of boost, making it larger and more powerful than that of the CT5-V Blackwing. The four-lobe rotors within the supercharger facilitate a larger power band with excellent low-end torque production and unparalleled high-RPM power.

The Cadillac Escalade-V features full-time active all-wheel-drive to improve grip, and power is routed to the wheels via GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Torque is split between each of the four wheels and varies depending on conditions, but is typically divided equally. Standard Launch Control helps this 6,000-pound SUV complete the sprint to 60 mph in less than 4.4 seconds, with the quarter-mile done in 12.74 seconds at 110 mph.

Various aspects of the Cadillac Escalade-V can be controlled via V-Mode, which allows drivers to customize the performance SUV’s handling. V-Mode is accessible by a button on the center console in front of the transmission shifter. Settings made available through V-Mode include the following:

Tour or Sport suspension settings
Tour or Sport steering calibration settings
Tour or Sport brake pedal feel
Stealth, Tour, or Sport engine sound
Tour, Sport, or Snow/Ice AWD
Tour, Sport, or Snow/Ice engine performance

Launch Control is also available through V-Mode, and can be activated by holding down the brake pedal and then pressing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. When the Traction Control light begins to flash, release the brake pedal to activate Launch Mode.

The Cadillac Escalade-V also features more aggressive exterior styling. It has unique front and rear fascias to create a meaner outward appearance, distancing it from the more approachable regular Escalade models. Quad exhaust outlets can be found on the rear, and red Brembo brake calipers are visible through the special 22-inch aluminum wheels that are available in three different finishes.

The interior of the Cadillac Escalade-V borrows elements from the Platinum trim level available on the full-size luxury SUV, and is offered in Black or Dark Auburn with Zebra Wood accents. Semi-aniline leather can be found in all three seating rows, and the front seats include power massage along with a heated steering wheel.

Technology found in the Escalade-V includes:

38-inch curved OLED display, with twice the pixel density as a 4K television
16.9-inch color information display featuring premium infotainment and navigation
Augmented reality, projecting a live image of what’s in front of the vehicle on the 14.2-inch center cluster display with navigation overlay
36-speaker AKG audio system
GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistance technology

Timeline

The Cadillac Escalade-V was caught undergoing testing before its official release:

July 2019: GM Authority exclusive reports that the fifth-gen Escalade will offer a high-performance variant
January 21, 2022: Escalade-V officially debuts for the 2023 model year
January 2022: Escalade-V ESV spied testing in Michigan on video, accelerating at wide open throttle
May 2021: Escalade-V spied high-altitude testing in Colorado
May 2021: Escalade-V spied testing in Michigan
May 2021: Escalade-V ESV spied testing in Michigan

Positioning

The Cadillac Escalade-V is the range-topping variant of the regular-length Cadillac Escalade. It is the first performance SUV made by Cadillac, and continues the line of Cadillac V-Series vehicles. Other vehicles that are part of the fourth-generation Cadillac V-Series models include the Cadillac CT4-V, Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, plus the Cadillac CT5-V and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

Platform

The Cadillac Escalade-V is underpinned by GM’s T1 platform.

Production

The Cadillac Escalade-V is produced at the Arlington plant in Arlington, Texas.

Rivals

The Cadillac Escalade-V competes with the following vehicles:

Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography
Land Rover Range Rover SV
BMW Aplina XB7
Mercedes-Benz AMG G63
Mercedes-AMG GLS AMG
Mercedes-Maybach GLS AMG

Discussion

Discuss the Cadillac Escalade-V in our Cadillac forum.