The Escalade is Cadillac’s most recognizable model, and the full-size SUV’s history of imposing exterior design is a significant reason why. But when Cadillac redesigned the Escalade for the 2021 model year, it looked inward, with a lot of attention toward the SUV’s cabin. The result was a striking interior with premium materials and distinctive tech features, and a space that was also more comfortable and convenient than before.
We were so impressed that we gave this Cadillac our top luxury award last year. After we surveyed the luxury landscape again for this year’s award, the Escalade’s blend of style, quality, technology and capability made it a back-to-back champion as our Best Luxury Car of 2022.
The showpiece of the Escalade’s cabin is three standard organic light-emitting diode screens, which together measure 38 inches diagonally and stretch across the driver’s half of the dashboard. The Escalade’s standard augmented-reality navigation and available night-vision systems both use the center instrument cluster screen. The Escalade has some of the same eye-popping tech European rivals debuted first, but its user interface is vastly superior.
The Escalade’s screen technology is just one aspect of its impressive interior, which is wrapped in leather and wood when you choose the Platinum trim level. The Escalade’s exterior dimensions are even bigger than its predecessor’s, and Cadillac put the extra size to good use by increasing passenger space and comfort, particularly in the third row.
The Escalade’s focus on technology extends to its safety systems, which include available Super Cruise that enables hands-free driving on some 200,000 miles of roadways.
The Escalade’s focus on comfort, technology and luxury doesn’t mean it can’t do traditional full-size SUV tasks like towing a trailer or hauling a family. With the standard 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine, the Escalade can tow up to 8,200 pounds, and the available 277-hp, turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder is rated to 8,100 pounds. All Escalades have seating for eight, and choosing the extended-length ESV version significantly increases cargo room behind the third row.
While the current Escalade doesn’t have as much in-your-face presence as its predecessors, it’s a better vehicle overall and the best iteration of the nameplate yet thanks to its luxurious and spacious interior, refined driving manners and impressive technology. It’s the ultimate Cadillac, the ultimate full-size luxury SUV and, thanks largely to a user-friendlier approach to technology, it’s Cars.com’s Best
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