2020 Cadillac Escalade

All the models are equipped with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that cranks out 420 all-American ponies and 460-pound-feet of torque and comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Apart from the powerful engine, the Escalade also has an impressive towing capacity of 8,300 pound which is more than most other luxury SUVs. With a base price of $75,990 for the RWD configuration, this full-size luxury hauler is definitely worth a look.

The Escalade is available in four trims: Standard, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum. The base trim comes with a wide array of equipment, but the Premium Luxury and Platinum models take this huge, lavish machine to another level. All the Escalade comes standard with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard while you get the four-wheel drive as an optional.

There is an extensive list of features that this full-size luxury boasts ranging from built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to a 360-degree camera. Top trim Platinum priced at $95,090 (2WD) also gets premium leather upholstery, massaging front seats, power-retractable steps, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, and a built-in cooler.

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All the 2020 Escalade comes standard with a powerful V-8 engine so choosing between the trim basically depends upon the kind of features you want inside the vehicle. As all the Cadillac boasts an extensive list of features but to get the best interior we would suggest you go with the Premium Luxury trim. It comes with all the features of Luxury trim and adds rear entertainment system and adaptive cruise control.

“Big V8 power is the primary driver of the Escalade's performance. A new 10-speed automatic transmission makes it more efficient than before. The transmission shifts smoothly and even rev-matches downshifts, but the Escalade is too big to be a competent handler”

"The Escalade doesn’t deliver the luxurious ride quality that we expect from this brand. Even with the Magnetic Ride Control Suspension system that allows the driver to tailor its performance to the driving situation, the occasional bumps and thump remind you that the Escalade is derived from a truck chassis, not a car platform.”

- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

For the 2020 model year, the company has not made any major changes with Escalade’s powertrain. A 10-speed automatic transmission, jointly developed by General Motors and Ford replaces the previous model year’s 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V-8 engine is a monster of an engine and is more than enough to move this 5,500-pound SUV briskly. Quick acceleration lets you speed away from a stop easily. While its towing capacity of 8,300 pounds is more than most other luxury SUVs.

With 420 horses under its hood and 460 pound-feet of torque, it drives like a big, bulky truck. The V-8 feels incredibly burly and does not even slow down, even with the added heft of the extended-wheelbase ESV model. The 10-speed auto transmission feels incredibly smooth while shifting when more power is needed. You will not feel left behind on the highway as it merges into traffic easily.

Acceleration

Despite its humongous size the 2020 Cadillac Escalade is the fastest of the lot and makes 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. It even beat others in quarter-mile as it takes only 14.6 seconds to cover the distance. Acceleration is easy and effortless.

Braking and Handling

Escalade’s ride quality is comfortable however you may feel the occasional bump over, particularly uneven roads. You get a stiff ride with the optional 22-inch wheel setup but the SUV holds its ground nicely thanks to its balanced steering. On the downside, the car-based SUV feels more athletic and comfy than the truck-based Escalade. Magnetic Ride Control and rear-wheel drive come standard while four-wheel drive is optional. Brakes on the Escalade feel strong with an average stopping distance of 133-feet. The vehicle also nosedives a bit when strong brakes are applied.

Towing and Payload Capacity

A luxury vehicle that can tow too and that to a massive 8,100 pounds with the four-wheel-drive while the rear-wheel-drive increases the capacity by 200 pounds. Lincoln Navigator and GMC Yukon meanwhile offer better-towing capacity. Go for the 2020 Escalade if you want to tow a trailer while riding in upscale comfort with your family.

Fuel economy? Who cares! Anyone who is buying this big, bulky, muscular SUV must be rich enough to spend that extra bucks on the fuel. Jokes apart, the Escalade with the V-8 engine has an EPA rating of 14 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined which is pretty low when compared to the rivals.

“Aside from the infotainment system, the rest of the interior is a nice place to while away the miles. The only real issues are compromises to the floor of the cabin and third-row seats made for the solid rear axle and non-sliding second-row seats”-Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Inside, the Escalade is quiet but bumpy ride quality and so-so seats add some negative points. Seats are the biggest drawback, they do not feel comfy and are featureless. There is not enough thigh support for tall drivers and seats are not comfortable for long drives. Although, there is a good amount of headroom and legroom in the first and second row which you would rather expect from an SUV this size. The shoulder room in all the three rows feels narrow.

GMC Yukon is priced much less than the Cadillac and offers plenty of space for eight people and is a better alternative. Size-wise the Yukon matches the GMC neck-to-neck but you get more rear shoulder room and value for money in the GMC.

Infotainment

Everything inside looks worthy of the Escalade’s price with an attractive 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system although it feels slow to respond to the inputs and difficult to navigate. Even the touch-sensitive buttons on the center stack feel sluggish. The CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system includes:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Navigation
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Five USB-ports
• Wireless device charging
• 16-speaker sound system

Cargo Space

You get 15.2 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 51.6 cubic feet with the third row folded and 94.2 cubic feet overall. The cargo capacity is impressive for a full-size SUV although the Lincoln Navigator offers better cargo space than the Escalade. The ESV model with a long-wheelbase, however, increases the cargo capacity, with 39.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 76.7 with the second row folded and 120.9 cubic feet with both rows folded.

Interior Features

• Leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated second row
• 18-way power-adjustable front seats (Optional)
• Premium leather upholstery (Optional)
• Massaging front seats (Optional)

“The 2020 Cadillac Escalade is brash but refined”- The Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade is the big boss of the GM’s luxury line-up. It is one of the most recognizable Cadillac on the road today thanks to its slanting edges and daunting stance. There is also no denying the fact that this SUV boasts more swagger than any other vehicle that has hit the road. Its unmistakable styling is evident from every angle and it shares much of its structure with the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, and the GMC Yukon.

You get a full-led headlight with four crystals that act as high beam, giving off radiant light. Long vertical taillight also gets LEDs which makes it easy to follow the Escaladed when visibility is low. An aerodynamic rear spoiler adds a sporting flair to this SUV. It is, however, smaller than the Lincoln Navigator in size but the ESV model is about two-feet longer than the standard model making it one of the largest in class.

Exterior Features

• Active Aero Grille Shutters
• Capless Fueling System
• Acoustic Windshield and Rear Privacy glass
• Keyless Entry

The NHSTA has rated the 2020 Cadillac Escalade with a four-star rating overall while the SUV scored a “Basic” rating for the front crash prevention test conducted by the IIHS. Both the organization have not conducted a full crash test on the Escalade yet and we will be updating the page as soon as the ratings arrive.

On the Reliability front, Cadillac has covered the Escalade by a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety features

The 2020 Escalade comes equipped with an innovative airbag placed between the front seats designed to protect the passenger from colliding with each other. A new feature enables the SUV to park itself at the press of a button, which is a boon while driving in congested conditions. Cadillac has fitted the Escalade with several levels of safety that can detect if someone is trying to steal the car by breaking the glass or towing it. This system sounds the alarm and prevents the vehicle from starting or moving.

• OnStar Automatic Crash Response
• OnStar Crisis Assist
• OnStar Emergency Services
• OnStar Hands-Free Calling
• OnStar Low Mileage Discount
• OnStar Remote Door Unlock
• OnStar Remote Horn and Lights
• OnStar Remote Ignition Block
• OnStar Roadside Assistance
• OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance
• OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown
• OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation

2020 Cadillac Escalade Vs Land Rover Range Rover

If you want a luxury SUV without three-row seating then go for the Land Rover Range Rover. It has a better fuel economy than the Escalade especially when equipped with the turbodiesel engine. The Land over also offers a luxurious ride and can take even the toughest trails. A four-wheel drive is standard on all its model which is otherwise optional on Escalade. All these features do come at a price as the Range Rover has a higher starting price than the Cadillac.

2020 Cadillac Escalade Vs GMC Yukon

Both these vehicles are similar in many ways and the Yukon’s Denali trim feels like an Escalade under a different name. Yukon and Escalade both offer two wheelbase options, a V-8 engine, and a plush interior although. GMC Yukon also comes with soft-touch surface and high-grade material, including real woods and leather. It’s the price that makes both the SUV part ways as the Yukon is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than the Escalade. Even if you choose the top-trim Denali you will save thousands of dollars with similar features.

2020 Cadillac Escalade Vs Lincoln Navigator

Both the Escalade and Navigator are full-grown SUVs with a truck base, body-on-frame construction. They are available in extended-wheelbase versions with additional cargo capacity behind third-row. The key difference between the two is that Lincoln has redesigned the Navigator for 2020 while the Escalade remains the same since 2015. The V-6 engine on the Navigator is more fuel-efficient and it is also more spacious inside. With more cargo space, towing capacity and lower base price, Lincoln marches ahead of the Cadillac.

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade is the epitome of full-size SUVs and pairs itself with luxurious interior along with excellent towing capacity. Although its trucklike body-on-frame is a big disadvantage as this SUV compromises on ride quality over uneven pavements. It also does not feel confident over corners like other SUVs. On the positive side, while other SUV manufacturers are downsizing, the Escalade ESV with longer wheelbase proves bigger is better, providing more cargo and interior space.

The Cadillac boasts one of the best interiors in the class, however, the infotainment system is a bit of a letdown. Regardless, the Escalade is the best looking and the quickest in the segment and ranks high as compared to rivals.