If you’re looking for a luxury three-row SUV, your options won’t get much more enticing than the Cadillac Escalade. Occupying the top position in the Cadillac range, the Escalade is a worthy flagship that combines high-end comfort with genuine power under the hood.
But Cadillac isn’t known for standing still, and a new, enhanced version of the Escalade has been released for the 2023 model year. Named the Escalade V-Series, the new model takes all the upscale features of the regular Escalade and dramatically boosts the power to create a uniquely high-performing SUV. Here are the key highlights you could discover with a test drive once the Escalade V-Series is available in summer 2022.
The Escalade is only the latest Cadillac model to be given a V-Series designation. Other vehicles in the range include the CT4 and CT5 sedans, which are based on the highest trim levels of their regular lineups but given an extra edge of high-performance engineering. The Escalade is the first SUV to receive the V-Series treatment, and the outcome is a vehicle with genuinely astonishing levels of luxury and performance.
The new Escalade is visually very similar to the regular lineup but features an enhanced front end, extra bodywork sculpting, 22″ wheels, and a four-piece exhaust outlet at the rear. The cabin is designed to a true three-row format, rather than a mid-size SUV with a third-row afterthought, and offers plenty of spacious comfort for up to eight passengers. The overall effect is a classically bold full-size SUV with plenty of road presence on the highway and driveway alike.
However, the real improvements to the Escalade V appear with the increased performance under the hood. Cadillac claims the model is the most powerful full-size SUV on the market, and a look at the specs shows they’re probably right.
The powertrain is based around a hand-built 6.2L supercharged V8 engine which makes a searing 682 horsepower, backed by 653lb-ft of torque for seat-pinning acceleration. Let this SUV rip on the highway and you’ll rocket from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, an incredible time for a vehicle of this size and heft.
But the Escalade V is about much more than raw power. The high output is passed through a smooth ten-speed automatic transmission to all-wheel drive as standard while demanding drivers will be intrigued by the new selectable V-Mode, which takes performance to new levels of drivability.
Once engaged, the driver can optimize suspension stiffness, braking response, steering sensitivity, and more to deliver driving feels ranging from smooth and stately to track-tearingly exhilarating. And as a final flourish, the V-Mode even allows control over the amount of V8 engine roar passed through the exhaust, adding an extra touch of enjoyment to your ride.
The Escalade V’s cabin is also a huge step up in the luxury stakes, taking the high-end Platinum trim and making it even more comfortable. All three rows boast aniline leather upholstery, with the front row adding heating, ventilation, and massage functions along with 16-way power seat adjustment. Real wood accents and trims contribute to the upscale feel, while a panoramic sunroof gives the already spacious cabin an extra feeling of height and roominess.
Cadillac hasn’t held back on the interior technology provision either, with the dash dominated by a fully 38″ curved OLED display to set the tone. The driver’s side is devoted to the digital instrument cluster, offering a resolution twice that of a 4K TV, while a 16.9″ central display handles infotainment. Wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make smartphone integration simple, while the in-built navigation includes augmented reality functions to overlay route directions and forward views onto the dash.
Sound is delivered by 36 speakers spread around the cabin, including units in the headrests and roof, with the audio system itself based around an AKG studio reference rig for impeccable fidelity.
And to complete the high-end experience, media options are expanded by a rear-seat entertainment system, while a colour head-up display projects essential driving information directly onto the windshield interior.
Lastly, the 2023 Escalade V-Series also provides a generous suite of active safety and driver-assist technologies, with key highlights including:
1) Lane departure warnings with selectable lane keep assist.
2) Front and rear pedestrian warnings with automated emergency braking.
3) Blind spot warnings and rear cross-traffic alerts.
4) Adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving ability on recognized highway routes.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade V-Series will arrive in the summer of 2022, and it’s sure to be in high demand among Canadian drivers with a taste for luxury. Book your test drive today and ensure you’ll be first in line to experience the new model’s quality and power for yourself.
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