2017 Cadillac Escalade

Under the hood, there's a mouth-watering Chevy LT1 motor which in layman terms, means that it's a massive 6.2 liter V8 plucked from the Corvette making 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. In the Escalade, this unit is mated to an 8-speed automatic. So just like the rest of the car, excess is the name of the game in the engine department and Caddy fans wouldn't have it any other way. Sweet.

As mentioned earlier, there are four new trims for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade starting off with the $73,395 base model. There's also a $100,000 extended "ESV' (Extended Stretch Vehicle) model with all the features of the 'Platinum' top model for those who need to fit in more chains and Gucci clothes in the back.

Take a look at the table below to check out all the options and features in the Cadillac Escalade:

Trim	Base	Platinum	Luxury	Premium Luxury
MSRP (FWD)	$73,395	$92,195	$78,395	$82,895
MSRP (AWD)	$76,395	$95,195	$81,395	$85,895
Features	Adjustable Pedals Power with memory Adaptive Remote Start Audio System Bose 16-speaker Centerpoint Surround Sound system. Three USB ports1 and auxiliary audio connectivity. CD/MP3 single-disc player Bluetooth2 Hands-Free Calling and data-service streaming with Natural Voice Recognition Bose Active Noise Cancellation Cadillac user experience  Information and media control system with 8" full-color diagonal LCD capacitive multi-touch screen, includes Teen Driver Setting and Collection, with access to browse and install apps to your vehicle Center Console Dual cupholders with cover	Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System With two 7" diagonal full-color screens located on backside of front-row head restraints and 2 four-channel headphones (4 in ESV) Front Console Compartment Cooled with covered storage, large and small storage bins, dual cup holders, electronic climate controls and second-row heated seat controls (inside console: auxiliary power outlet, two USB ports1 and auxiliary audio port), 110-volt outlet and auxiliary power outlet on the backside of console Leather-Wrapped Instrument Panel Upper door panels and center console Microfiber Sueded Headliner And pillars Platinum Sill Plates Premium Floor Mats Seating Semi-Aniline leather seating surfaces (first and second row), full Mulan leather (third row), 18-way adjustable seats with driver massage (3-way driver side, 2-way passenger side) Unique Exotic Wood Unique Grille Design Wheels 22" 9-spoke aluminum wheels with premium paint and chrome inserts	Safety Alert Seat Forward Collision Alert Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert Rear Cross Traffic Alert IntelliBeam automatic high-beam On/Off Head-Up Display 4-color reconfigurable Rear Camera Mirror With rear camera washer Seating Second-row bucket, power-release fold-and-tumble Sunroof Power tilt and slide with express-open/-close and sunshade Theft-Deterrent Package Content theft alarm with vehicle inclination sensors, interior motion sensor, door lock shields, glass breakage sensors in rear quarter glass and liftgate window and self-powered horn Wheels 22" 7-spoke aluminum with premium paint and chrome inserts (see page 47 for more details)	Adaptive Cruise Control with full-speed range, 13 switchable Forward and Reverse Automatic Braking Automatic Safety Belt Tightening Electric Parking Brake Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System Blu-ray capable; Includes 9" diagonal full-color fold-down screen; remote control; 2 two-channel digital wireless headphones (4 with ESV); auxiliary audio/video jacks located on the rear of the center console; and LED-backlit display; third-row 9" diagonal full-color fold-down screen (Escalade ESV only) Front Cornering Lamps, LED Illuminating Door Handles

What we recommend:

There is no point of spending close to a hundred thou on an SUV because you could easily get a BMW M3 for exactly the same amount of dough. So instead, an $89,895 Premium Luxury model could easily satisfy all your dreams of being a shot-caller without shooting up any big banks in the neighborhood. Plus, it's got almost all the features from the Platinum model and you can barely differentiate between the two.

"Escalade has no problem accelerating to highway speeds or passing slower traffic. Throttle response is immediate, and the braking performance is reassuring and predictable." - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

While its rivals have all opted for sensible V6 engines in their base models, the folks at Cadillac threw up at the idea of a puny 6-cylinder and went for the legendary LT1 V8 instead which clearly means that Cadillac is one of the very few mainstream car companies that actually care about horsepower-hungry petrol heads. So obviously, this unit makes a wonderful 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque that is just 30 horses down on a C7 Stingray.

The power only goes to the rear wheels till 25 MPH but anything more than that and it switches to its epic 4WD system that transfers powers via an 8-speed automatic. 

Models	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
MSRP	$73,395	$63,195	$68,700	$85,650
Engine	6.2L 8cyl	3.5L 6cyl	3.0L 6 cyl	3.0L 6 cyl
Transmission	8-speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	9-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic
Horsepower	420 hp	450 hp	362 hp	340 hp
Torque	460 lb-ft	510 lb-ft	369 lb-ft	332 lb-ft

Acceleration

Although that sweet LT1 engine makes the two-ton Escalade as quick as possible, it loses out by three-tenths of a second to the Lincoln Navigator in the 0-60 MPH test. But apart from the Navigator, there is no SUV is in this segment that could challenge this Caddy to 60 MPH from a standstill and we say that confidently because even the Range takes 7.1 seconds to reach sixty.

The quarter mile is devoured in just 14.5 seconds, the same as the Lincoln Navigator but the boys from America lose out to the Germans by just one-tenth of a second here as the Merc completed the run in just 14.4 seconds. 

Models	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
0-60 MPH	5.8 sec	5.5 sec	7.7 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter mile	14.5 sec	14.5	14.4 sec	14.7 sec
Engine	6.2L	3.5L	3.0L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	10.3	10.3	9.3	9.2

Handling

Straight-line speed hits you in the face almost instantly in the Escalade but around corners, it feels stable but nothing close to a Corvette which it takes its motor from. Obviously, this Caddy's extreme bulk is very apparent on tight corners but body roll is less and never becomes a pain to handle. As opposed to what the performance figures might suggest, the Escalade is more stable than sporty wherever you drive it and that isn't exactly a bad thing because hardly anyone expects a sports car out of this behemoth.

Braking

Now, before you forgive the five and a half thousand pound Caddy for performing poorly in the 60-0MPH braking test, you need to realize that it didn't. Yes, it's a shocker but it is true that the new Escalade comes to a standstill from 60 MPH in just 119 ft. This mean that it brakes earlier than all the other cars in this segment further establishing that this Caddy is a more focused performance SUV than all of its predecessors.

The brakes in the front and the back are both 17 inches in diameter which means they're the biggest ones we've seen on a production SUV.

Model	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
Brake Front (in.)	17.0	13.8	13.8	13.8
Brake Rear (in.)	17.0	13.8	13.6	13.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	5521	5830	5370	4839
60-0 MPH (ft.)	119	132	120	137

Towing Capacity

The Escalade's 460 lb-ft of tire shredding torque translates into a towing capacity that deserves some amount of appreciation. It can tow approximately 8300 lbs of stuff (if you're in the Middle East that means a few dune buggies or ATVs but in Miami, a few jet-skis or a small boat). The Navigator becomes the leader here as it can tow approximately 9000 lbs. of stuff but unless you have houses to tear down; the Escalade might be just fine.

Model	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
Towing Capacity(lbs)	8300	9000	7500	7716

The fuel economy figures of the Escalade aren't as impressive as the rest of the car but a few MPGs as a sacrifice for more horses? Bearable but in all honesty, the SUV royals have clearly bagged the trophy here. This ride only gives a combined MPG figure of just 17 which means out on the highway, it gives a decent 23 MPG but in the city, a not so decent 14 MPG.

Model	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
MPG (city)	14	15	19	17
MPG (highway)	23	21	22	23
MPG (combined)	17	17	19	19

The class leaders in this department are the GLS and the Range Rover; both giving combined MPG figures of 19 each. Even the other yank tank here, the Navigator, only gives as many miles to the gallon as the Escalade so this round goes to the Europeans without a doubt.

"As big as the Cadillac might seem on the outside, it's surprising that the interior doesn't feel extraordinarily spacious. "- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Right from the dash to the tiniest strands of stitching, the interior can only be called drop-dead gorgeous. It happens to be a perfect mixture of technology and retro craftsmanship. The materials are without a doubt very top-notch and feel very satisfying to touch along with the leather upholstery that further complements the car's extravagant demeanor.

Model	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
Passenger capacity	7	7	7	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	42.8/64.9/45.3	39.5/63.3/43.0	41.2/58.5/40.3	39.3/60.7/42.5
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.7/64.4/39.0	39.7/63.7/39.1	40.0/58.3/38.5	39.2/59.4/40.2
Third(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.1/62.6/24.8	37.6/51.9/37.7	38.9/50.5/35.0	NA

The Escalade can seat 7 passengers which means that there are two extra foldable seats in the rear, unlike a Range Rover that only seats 5. The excessive amounts of leather are not only for show; the seats definitely feel like they're the perfect choice for long trips without ever being a pain. You get exceptional thigh and back support in all the seats just in case you feel the need for speed. (Not kidding, this car was featured in 2005's NFS: Underground 2 video game)

Infotainment

As soon as you get into the new Escalade, you are greeted by a beautifully shaped infotainment screen that just begs to be noticed along with its gracefully positioned buttons. The screen is run by theCUE or Cadillac User Experience which isn't a very clever name but we'll forgive that because it works brilliantly.

Most systems only start working when you actually touch the screen but this one senses your fingers coming in close proximity to the screen and adjusts itself accordingly. Yes, it actually senses your fingers moving Skynet would be a fitting name then. As expected, it's got all the major mobile connectivity features that you could ask for including Apple Car play, Bluetooth connectivity and no lesser than 3 USB ports.

It should also be mentioned that you can spec the Escalade with no lesser than 3 high-resolution screens with two right behind the front seats. The driver information display system is almost like a miniaturized version of the infotainment screen displaying all the necessary car info without any distractions. You can clearly see that Cadillac was gunning for the big dogs like Merc and Land Rover when they designed this awesome infotainment system.

Interior features

• Heated and cooled front seats
• Heated rear seats
• 12-way adjustable front seats
• 4-way power lumbar front seats
• 3-zone climate control
• Cadillac User Experience infotainment system (CUE)
• 16-speaker Bose sound system
• 18-way adjustable seats with massage feature (Only in Platinum)
• Console cooler (Only in Platinum)
• Sueded microfiber headliner
• Suede door pillar trim
• Driver information display

Cargo volume

The Escalade stands right into the buyer expectations. With every seat up, you get 15 cubic feet of cargo volume. Isn't the most spacious but slips right into the SUV norms. It gets better by expanding the space with 2nd and 3rd seats down. The second seat drops down to open up 51.6 cubic feet and the third unlock 94.2 cubic feet of cargo volume.  

Model	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
Cargo Volume behind 1st row (ft.3)	94.2	103.3	93.8	71.7
Cargo Volume behind 2nd row (ft.3)	51.6	54.4	49.4	32.1
Cargo Volume behind 3rd row (ft.3)	15.2	18.1	16.0	NA

Where the GLs and Escalade settle at similar cargo specification, the Navigator wins the battle with its humongous size. You get more than 100 cubic fee cargo bay. The Land Rover, on the other hand, didn't deliver much compared to these cargo juggernauts. 

Dimensions and Weight

The Escalade has come a long way in terms of design from the 1999 iteration which was merely a badge-engineered Yukon. Now, it has clearly defined exterior characteristics that set it apart from its GM siblings like the gigantic chrome grille, 22-inch rims, and those gorgeous thin strip taillights. It's a looker even when you compare it to the handsome Range Rover so the looks department has been taken care of really well.

The Escalade has a curb weight of 5521 lbs. which means it's the second heaviest car here with the Navigator taking the top spot weighing in at 5830 lbs. It's also the second largest car here with a length of 203.9 inches and a width of 80.5 inches. It stands at 8 inches off the ground and has a total height of 74.4 inches. Here is a detailed look into the dimensions and measurements of the Escalade:

Model	Cadillac Escalade	Lincoln Navigator Select SUV	Mercedes-Benz GLS Class	Land Range Rover
Curb weight (lbs.)	5521	5830	5370	4839
Length(in)	203.9	207.4	202.0	196.8
Width(in)	80.5	78.8	76.1	78.1
Height(in)	74.4	78.1	72.8	72.3
Ground clearance (in)	8.0	8.4	8.5	8.7
Wheelbase (in)	116.0	119.0	121.1	115.0
Track width (in) F/R		67.0/67.2	65.2/65.9	66.5/66.3

Exterior features

• Invisible rear wiper
• Concierge lighting
• Cadillac Intellibeam
• Black roof rails
• Body-color splash guards
• Illuminated door handles
• Polished exhaust tips
• Solar absorbing windshield
• Spare tire lock
• Optional radiant trim
• 7 design choices for rims

Cadillac took no prisoners in the safety department because one of the biggest selling points of luxury SUVs is how good they can protect the ballers and business magnates sitting inside. So here is a list of all the safety features available in the 2017 Cadillac Escalade:

Safety features

• Blind-zone alert
• Safety alert seats
• Adaptive cruise control
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Stabiltrak Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Optional Driver Awareness package
• All-around airbags
• Front and rear park assists
• Child safety locks

Lincoln Navigator vs Cadillac Escalade

The infamous Lincoln-Cadillac rivalry has given us the best luxury cars to ever come out of the land of the stars and stripes despite both companies being founded by the legendary innovator Henry Leland. The goliath Navigator is a result of this feud continuing even in the 21^st century and we're grateful for that because this SUV is beauty and brawn carefully blended into one.

Although it's based on the Ford Expedition, the level of luxury and performance from the Navigator almost makes it feel like a brand new car. Under the hood, there's a tuned 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine from Ford that makes a yummy 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque which means more power and torque than the Escalade. The interior appears to be more distinctive than the Caddy with mostly rectangular shapes and is a nice change of pace from older models. It's slightly heavier and almost feels like a school bus to drive which could probably be its only downfall.

And since it's cheaper than the Caddy at $63,195, its advised to go with it.

Mercedes-Benz GLS vs Cadillac Escalade

Merc's new GLS proves two things: the Germans love to rename their cars every few years and every time that happens, the cars only get better. The GLS happens to be the meeting point of the S-Class' luxury and the G-wagon's off-roading machismo and that is precisely what most SUV buyers would want in the first place.

Under the hood, there's a 3.0 V6 pumping out 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque which isn't even close to what the yank tanks make but should we also mention that the GLS isn't that bulky? It only weighs 5370 lbs. and that means greater acceleration which equals more performance. On the inside, everything is in classic Mercedes fashion and there's absolutely nothing to complain about.

At $68,700, the GLS is sandwiched between the Lincoln and the Caddy so it really depends on whether you want a ship or a speedboat.

 Land Rover Range Rover vs Cadillac Escalade

The Brit boy in the group has been the pioneer of the luxury SUV market for decades and has been fighting off literally every other carmaker in this segment. The 2017 Range Rover is basically the same car, only better. This means that it is a fusion of off-road invincibility and gobsmacking British extravagance which means it still is one of the most lusted after cars in the segment.

The Range houses a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 we have also seen in the F-type Jag that pumps out just as much power and torque. This means 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque which is way more appreciable when you find out that it only weighs around 4800 lbs. So it's the lightest of the bunch, it almost invented the concept of luxury SUVs and it's 85k asking price seems moderate because of that. No pressure to the yank tanks then.

Cadillac has come a long way from making glorified Chevys because, well, it makes better glorified Chevys. All jokes aside, new Cadillacs drive extremely well, are extremely luxurious and look classier than most of their European rivals. As such, the case is the same for Escalade with the only difference being the added off-road capability, thanks to the Yukon's 4WD system.