The 2022 Cadillac Escalade will come in five trims, namely Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum. The base Luxury trim is expected to start at $78,490 and will go up to $106,290 for the Sport Platinum trim with 4WD. The base engine is a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 while the much-powerful 2022 Escalade V will get a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, which we have reviewed separately. The standard features include full lane keep assist, lane departure warning, 16.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 14.2-inch instrument cluster, 19-speaker AKG studio audio system, tri-zone climate control, etc.

The packages available on a few trims also include a few nifty features. The Driver Assist Tech Package includes adaptive cruise control and soft-close doors. Performance Package gets you a trailer brake controller, better suspension, and trailer hitch. While the Sport and Sport Platinum trims don’t get any major features added except for blackened exterior trims and alloys. Also, there is a new Touring package for 2022, available on Premium Luxury and Sport trims, which adds soft-close doors, air suspension, and an illuminated door sill protector. 

Release Date:

With the official production of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade to start from October 2021, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and possibly Escalade V will hit the dealerships around November 2021.

With the launch of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade, people were hoping for a hybrid powertrain. But Cadillac has skipped this for another year. With this now there are two engine options for the Escalade, the base engine on the 2022 Escalade will be a 6.2L naturally aspirated V8 engine that puts out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. While the Escalade Diesel is powered by a 3.0L Duramax Turbocharged inline-six diesel engine that is good for 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both the engines are mated to a buttery smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. Also new for its is year is the launch of the 2022 Escalade V that will be powered by a 668 hp, supercharged 6.2L V8 taken from the CT5-V Blackwing.

But will be detuned to put out 620 hp in the Escalade to suit the luxurious nature of the car. The Escalade equipped with a base engine is rated at 7,400 pounds while the diesel-powered Escalade can tow up to 8,200 pounds. Not only that the base Escalade is quite quick on its feet and the base 2022 Escalade does 0-60 MPH in 6.1 seconds and the quarter-mile comes in 14.6 seconds. While with the supercharged V8 engine, it will likely do the 0-60 MPH run in the sub-six second range.

Ride quality is as plush as it can get with its excellent air suspension setup. Expect the ride quality to be on par with its luxurious German rivals. With the addition of independent rear suspension, the overall ride quality has improved a lot and has liberated more space on the inside. With great power and size, the Escalade needs the best braking setup, and it just has an excellent one that allows this massive SUV to stop from 60-0 MPH in just 121 feet.

As for the rivals, the BMW X7 is the fastest doing 0-60 MPH in 5.4 seconds beating the Escalade by 0.7 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and Lincoln Navigator come next with a 0-60 MPH timing of 5.6 and 5.9 seconds respectively. As for the power figures, the Lincoln Navigator’s engine puts out a massive 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Next in line is the Escalade whose engine churns out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All three SUVs get a twin-turbo engine, while the Escalade gets a naturally aspirated engine. Thus the key takeaway here is that the heavier and naturally aspirated motor-powered Escalade is not only slower but also less powerful than smaller twin-turbo-powered SUVs.

Since there are no mechanical changes the 2022 Escalade will return 15/20/17 MPG of fuel economy in city/highway/combined respectively. People who are conscious of their fuel expenses can opt for the Diesel engine that will rake the figures to around 21/27/22 MPG of fuel economy, which is quite impressive considering the size of this thing. The new Escalade also gets the largest 24-gallon fuel tank in the segment that allows it to have a decent combined range of 400 plus miles.

Rivals with newer and smaller turbocharged engines perform much better and stay far ahead of the gas-guzzling Escalade. The GLS-Class puts out the best figures followed by the BMW X7. The Lincoln Navigator like the Escalade is another gas-guzzler that returns only a few MPG more than the latter. The GLS-Class has the second-largest 23.8-gallon fuel tank, which helps it to return close to 500 miles combined range from a tankful of gas.

The interior of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade is the place to be in. Since the cabin was redesigned last year itself it has been carried forward for this year without any change. That means even the base model comes with the nicest of materials. After all, this is the brand's flagship vehicle. The lower trim comes with a faux leather interior, while the higher trims come with semi-aniline leather. With the top of the line Sports Platinum trim, you get the Palermo Quilted Leather trim.

Every touchpoint in the 2022 Escalade has premium materials, soft-touch plastics, and metal accents. The seats are plush and power-adjusted and also come as standard with heating function. The Escalade comes standard with the two second-row captain's chairs. But buyers can opt for the second-row bench for no additional cost, thus increasing the seating capacity from seven to eight.

The infotainment of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade is not only its highlight but also the talk of the town. The massive infotainment setup consists of a 16.9-inch infotainment screen plus the 14.2-inch digital driver's display and another 7.2-inch control panel. All of which are integrated smoothly, which gives the Escalade a futuristic feel that can outclass the best of what the Germans have to offer. The screen feels as responsive as any modern-day smartphone.

All the SUVs in the foray are full-size SUVs that have plenty of interior space. But what sets apart the Escalade and Navigator from the X7 and GLS-Class is the best-in-class third-row seats without compromising in the first two rows space. That said, the Lincoln Navigator offers the maximum interior space, followed by Cadillac Escalade. Next comes the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, which is more spacious than the BMW X7 which in turn happens to be the least spacious among all.

On the spec sheet, it is pretty clear that the Escalade dominates this segment. In terms of cargo capacity, it eclipses all three rivals with its 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Navigator comes second with 19.3 cubic feet, followed by the BMW X7 with 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class offers the least cargo capacity at 17.4 cubic feet.

Interior Features:

• Tri-zone automatic climate contorl
• Heated and power-adjustable front seats
• HD radio and Bluetooth Connection
• Wireless device charging
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 16-speaker AKG sound system
• Five USB-ports

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade retains the sleek and suave styling cues from its generational change in 2021. The exterior of the newly redesigned Escalade is posh. Shod with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, the Escalade has a massive 8-inches of ground clearance. At the front, you also get the majestic grille, LED Headlamps, and a grand hood, all backed by a behemoth silhouette. Move to the side, and though the 2022 Cadillac Escalade has an overall boxy build but is curved in the right places.

The clean lines and creases make up for a bold yet subtle look for an SUV that is almost six meters long. The large and imposing front grille with the sleek and modern-looking headlights give the Escalade a brawny yet swanky look. The SUV sports smooth flowing lines along its body that converge towards the rear where it meets the long LED taillamps. Even from the rear, the ride manages to retain its butch and bulky road presence.

The dimensions of the Cadillac Escalade are humongous, and it is truly a land yacht. The Escalade measures 211.9-inches in length, 81.1-inches in width, 76.7-inches in height, and has 120.9-inches of wheelbase. Lincoln Navigator is the closest to the Escalade in terms of dimensions. The Navigator is 1.9-inches smaller in length, 1.2-inches less wide, but has a 1.6-inches longer wheelbase compared to the Escalade.

The next closest is the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class that is 6.9-inches smaller in length, 1.2-inches less wide, 4.9-inches lower in height, but gets a 2.5-inches larger wheelbase compared to the Escalade.

Exterior Features:

• 20-inch 7-spoke chrome alloy wheels
• Capless fueling system
• Swept-black headlights
• Active aero grille shutters
• Eldorado inspired tail lights
• Acoustic windshield and rear privacy glass

The 2022 Escalade sits on a brand new chassis called the GMT1XX platform, which is shared with its mechanical counterparts developed by Chevrolet and GMC. The platform is tried and tested and is one of the most stable and rugged in the business right now.

 Apart from the Federally mandated features, Cadillac offers active safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors, active lane control, a surround-view camera system, and a driver seat that vibrates in the direction of potential danger. 

The 2022 Escalade hasn’t been completely crash-tested yet. The IIHS is yet to crash-test it while the NHTSA gave it an overall safety score of 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety Features:

• Trailer side blind zone alert
• Forward collision alert
• Enhanced automatic parking assist
• Lane keep assisting w/ Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert and Rear pedestrian alert
• Lane change alert w/ Side blind zone alert

2022 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 BMW X7

The new BMW X7 is one of the fastest and stylish looking SUVs of 2021 along with the all-new Cadillac Escalade. One of its major flex is that the X7 is much more engaging to drive compared to the bulky Escalade. The X7 also boasts a posh cabin, which is evenly matched with the Escalade.

However, the X7 can't compete with the sheer size and practicality of the Escalade. Thus to conclude, the decision between the two depends on what you want from your SUV.

2022 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz is one of the most established brands in this segment, and the GLS is its flagship luxury SUV. It is more fun to drive and also boasts high-powered AMG variants. Although it can't tow as much as the Escalade, it surely gives the Cadillac a run for its money when considering fuel economy and performance figures,

The GLS, however, can't match the space and practicality provided by the Escalade, which the latter is a true eight-seater. While the GLS feels cramped in the third-row seats.

2022 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The newly redesigned Lincoln Navigator is by far the closest competitor to the Escalade. Navigator offers a more powerful engine from the get-go and also has one of the highest towing capacities in this class. The Lincoln also has a well-appointed cabin that can go toe to toe with the new Escalade.

The Escalade does get some extra points of innovation due to the excellent infotainment system and central stack. Thus choosing between the two it eventually boils down to personal preference between the Navigator and the Escalade.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade is more or less similar to the 2021 model year, and this is not a bad thing. The new Escalade is one of the most excellent offerings to have come out of the General Motors group in recent years. It has the looks and feels luxurious both inside out to impress ones sitting in it and those looking from outside. Add to that the Escalade offers loads of practicality and it is a perfect full-size land yacht in the form. Thus if a land yacht is what you are looking for then look no further and go for the Escalade.