2023 Cadillac Escalade 4WD V-Sequence
Class: Premium Massive SUV
Shade: Radiant Pink Tintcoat
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA
Energy and PerformanceA-
Match and FinishA
Gasoline EconomyD
ValueC
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large GuyA
Tall GuyA
Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs682-horsepower, 6.2-liter
Engine TypeSupercharged V8
Transmission 10-speed automated
Drive Wheels4WD
Miles pushed: 128
Noticed gas financial system: 12.8 mpg
Driving combine: 70% metropolis, 30% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 11/16/13 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium gasoline
Snow efficiency: N/A
Base value: $149,195 (not together with $1795 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Tremendous Cruise ($2500), console fridge ($700), particular paint ($1225), rear-window express-down credit score ($50)
Worth as examined: $155,365
Fast Hits:
The good: Spectacular melding of energy and refinement
The nice: Identical luxurious lodging and spacious cabin as “commonplace” Escalade
The not so good: Excessive value, dismal gas financial system
Tom Appel:
Asking the query: Is the Cadillac Escalade-V an excessive amount of of a great factor? Let me inform you a narrative…
On particular events, my mom would make plum dumplings for Sunday breakfast, one thing my sister and I very a lot appreciated. I recall one Sunday on which we have been handled to mentioned dumplings, my sister, then three years of age or so, expressing—loudly—concern relating to the quantity of sugar my father had sprinkled on her breakfast. My father rapidly acquiesced to her demand for extra sugar, partly as a result of we needed to get to church, and partly as a result of her whining was profoundly annoying. As dad fastidiously added a modest further dose of sugar to my sibling’s plum dumplings he requested, “higher?” With out a phrase, my sister took the spoon, dug it deep into the sugar bowl, got here up with a wholesome, rounded tablespoon of the white stuff, and dumped all of it proper in the course of her plate. “Extra higher,” she responded.
Right here’s the deal, the plum dumplings have been fairly candy unsprinkled. Trying again with an grownup eye, I’m fairly certain the extra sugar did little to boost the dumping expertise, although as a child, there actually isn’t a too-much-sugar line within the sand. And that’s form of how I really feel in regards to the Escalade-V. It’s so good to start out with, I’m undecided dumping sugar—or horsepower—on it makes it higher.
It Is right here that I have to admit that, gas financial system and value apart, the ‘V compromises little in the best way of consolation or comfort in changing into a brilliant Escalade, save possibly for somewhat little bit of freeway experience refinement. However oh, that value…
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The 2023 Escalade is a Shopper Information Greatest Purchase, this as a result of it does nearly every little thing very effectively. However even a base Escalade is a dear proposition.
For 2023, the Escalade lineup begins with the Luxurious trim degree ($82,985 together with vacation spot) and ascends in value and content material by way of Premium Luxurious ($91,985), Sport ($94,785), Luxurious Platinum ($109,285), and Sport Platinum (additionally $109,285). Every trim degree is out there in long-wheelbase ESV kind, which provides $3000 to the underside line. Additionally accessible throughout the lineup is 4WD, which additionally provides $3000 to the underside line.
First Look: 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V
New to the big-Caddy lineup for 2023 is the Escalade-V. The brawniest of Escalades encompasses a host of efficiency upgrades and distinctive trim parts, and begins at $152,885. The ‘V comes with commonplace 4WD and will be had on standard-length or ESV fashions.
Aside from distinctive exterior and cabin trim parts—which to this editor’s eyes look nice—the large Escalade-V story is beneath the hood. Changing the usual—and many sturdy—420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, is a supercharged model of the powerplant, good for a rated 682 horsepower. Just like the “base” engine, the supercharged mill mates solely to a 10-speed automated transmission.
Be aware {that a} 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine can also be accessible for non-V Escalades. The graceful diesel is a $1600 possibility, and returns an EPA-estimated 22 mixed MPG.
Customary on the ‘V, and accessible on sure different Escalade trim ranges are Cadillac’s Magnetic Journey Management, and Air Journey Adaptive Suspension. Although shared with lesser Escalades, each techniques have been tuned particularly for the ‘V’s sportier mission.
Shopper Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheels of a standard-wheelbase 2023 Escalade-V in Radiant Pink geared up with Common Motors’ Tremendous Cruise semi-autonomous driving system, and console fridge. All informed, our take a look at truck got here in at a cool $155,365. That’s a number of further sugar.
Like each current-generation Escalade we’ve evaluated at Shopper Information, the cabin impresses instantly. The ‘V is as roomy as any Escalade, which is to say, lots spacious. Inside supplies and construct high quality are apparently contact notch, and the gloss-black trim accented by a reserved measure of metallic shiny work come of as neatly stylish. Fairly candy.
When the present era of Escalades was launched for the 2021 mannequin yr, Cadillac made an enormous deal of the SUV’s curved 38-inch “OLED” (natural LED) contact display screen. Whereas the display screen shouldn’t be the fairly the technological marvel it was made out to be, it does make for a mighty useful and simple to make use of techniques interface. The display screen responds promptly to the touch inputs, the colours are shiny and tasteful—and don’t wash out in direct mild—and the first controls are intuitive and easy to make use of.
An extra inside level: certainly one of our editors famous that the cabin smells good. We’ll credit score the nice swaths of actual leather-based.
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On the street, the Escalade-V feels just about like another Escalade, although it’s a lot, a lot, quicker accelerating. We’ve no downside with Cadillac’s 4.4-second 0-60 estimate for the ‘V. The truth is, we wouldn’t be shocked if that quantity was somewhat conservative. Extra vital than the uncooked sum of all that thrust is the truck’s easy and progressive energy supply. In common driving, the Escalade V is among the many most-refined automobiles we’ve examined right here at Shopper Information. Hit the throttle, nevertheless, and the three-ton Cadillac springs ahead with velvety immediacy. The transmission is a benchmark of silky shifting, and is at all times prepared with a well timed downshift for passing and merging.
This writer discovered the tuned exhaust observe to be obnoxious, nevertheless. And the noisy start-up throttle blip is an pointless nod to stop-light racers and Pep Boys performance-parts buyers. Thankfully, the exhaust noise fades away on the freeway and through regular cruising.
As for dealing with, our standard-wheelbase take a look at truck boast strikes surprising of a automobile laden with this a lot mass. Whereas we hesitate to say any Escalade handles effectively, Caddy’s large bruiser can he hustled with enthusiasm, and is definitely entertaining to pilot by way of site visitors.
We noticed 12.8 mpg throughout our cold-weather analysis. This quantity matches the EPA mixed estimate, and included some chilly-weather idle warm-up time. Sure, that’s kinda crummy mileage, nevertheless it borders on miraculous given the Escalade-V’s energy and heft. Be aware that you may be filling your ‘Slade with premium gas, which can make for some actually breath-taking fill-up tabs.
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Just a few extra issues price noting, and these just about apply to all Escalades. We love the large sunroof, which opens above the primary two seating rows. We additionally respect the beefy, leather-wrapped steering wheel, which feels nice when doing issues that verge on sporty. The dark-wood cabin trim parts come off as particularly stylish and wealthy trying. And—and we now have talked about this earlier than—the AKG audio system is amazingly good—no less than when enjoying again the mid-century jazz this writer is so keen on. Jeep’s McIntosh techniques is superb, however we’re going to present the nod to Caddy right here. And whereas we’re speaking audio, Lincoln’s Revel system deserves an honorable point out.
We’re considerably skeptical that including the V suffix to your large Cadillac will deliver you $45,000 price of further Escalade happiness. But it surely may. For the consumer who actually needs one thing much more unique than the usual Escalade, the Escalade-V often is the candy, more-better possibility you’ve been on the lookout for. Simply bear in mind, all that further sugar is dear.
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2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Gallery
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