Used 2019 Cadillac Escalade

The 2019 Cadillac Escalade doesn’t do anything small or subtle. It’s a full-size luxury SUV that unashamedly declares itself king of the hill with copious amounts of chrome trim, yards of leather, a massive 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine and just about every electronic gadget known to the automotive industry. Offered in regular and king size (Escalade ESV), the Chevy Suburban-based Escalade has everything it needs to go toe-to-toe with the Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover and Lexus LX. But the Escalade’s true foe is the stunning new Lincoln Navigator, an equally large luxury SUV that offers more power, better trailering numbers, a more spacious and modern interior plus better crash-test scores.

It looks imposing and it intimidates other drivers like Dale Earnhardt, but from behind the wheel the 2019 Cadillac Escalade is a pussycat. The Caddy is comfortable, easy-to-drive, sure-footed and powerful. Sure it’s big, and parking this beast or backing it up in tight parking garages can be challenging, but on the road it’s like a high-riding luxury sedan with impeccable manners and a refined ride. Cadillac’s 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 is a lovable brute. Power for passing and merging is never in short supply and the new 10-speed automatic transmission is responsive and smooth. GM’s Magnetic Ride Control does an admirable job managing the Escalade’s bulk, allowing it to soak up rough roads and negotiate tight turns with little fuss. The power-steering assist is appropriately proportioned. Add the optional 4-wheel drive and the Escalade becomes a winter warrior capable of tackling all kinds of road conditions.

The 2019 Cadillac Escalade is all about interior room, with the ESV offering an abundance of it in all three rows. Soft leather covers the seats while wood inlays and loads of high-tech add-ons grace the dash. With the 2nd-row bench option the Escalade can seat eight, although we imagine most will prefer the bucket-seat setup that allows for easy access to the third row. That third row can fold flat into the floor, but creates a slight rise at the rear liftgate opening, requiring items to be lifted a few additional inches before sliding in. With both the second and third rows folded, open space increases to 94.2 cubic feet or over 120 cubic feet in the Escalade ESV.

You can’t miss the new Escalade’s massive grille, but you might not see the active-aero shutters behind it, which close to improve aerodynamics on the highway and increase fuel economy. The 2019 Cadillac Escalade also benefits from full-LED headlights with four crystals in the headlights that act as the high beams, giving off radiant light. The long vertical taillights also employ LEDs, making it easier to follow the Escalade when weather conditions are less than ideal, which improves safety. Originally installed for aerodynamic purposes, the rear spoiler not only adds a sporting flair to the SUV’s derriere, it also hides the rear-windshield wiper. At 224.3 inches, the Escalade ESV model is about two feet longer than the standard model.

AUTOMATIC PARK ASSIST
Parallel parking can be a chore in itself, but when you add nearly 19 feet of automobile to the mix, the task seems daunting. Thankfully, Cadillac’s Automatic Park Assist comes standard. Just pull up to a spot and the ultrasonic sensors do the steering while you work the pedals and gear selector.

MASSAGE FRONT SEATS
Every Escalade includes multi-way power-adjustable front seats that both heat and cool, but the Platinum trim takes it step further by offering a massaging feature. Used in tandem with the heat setting, the seats offer a muscle-relaxing session that can be set for anti-fatigue, rolling or kneading at varying degrees of intensity.

Standard luxuries on the new Cadillac Escalade include 12-way power-adjustable seats, 20-inch chrome-plated aluminum wheels, Magnetic Ride Control and hands-free power liftgate. A remote starter, tri-zone climate control, and a reconfigurable instrument cluster further the Escalade’s appeal, as do a power-folding 3rd-row seat, heated and cooled front seats, front and rear park assists, rain-sensing wipers, a surround-vision camera, Automatic Park Assist, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible 16-speaker Bose Centerpoint audio, onboard Wi-Fi, CUE with navigation and a power tilt/telescopic steering column with heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also standard is Automatic Park Assist, which can practically parallel-park the SUV for you, and Surround Vision, which provides a bird’s-eye 360-degree view of the vehicle and its surroundings.

Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, adaptive cruise control, side blind-zone alert, rear-camera mirror, cross-traffic alert, upgraded braking systems and 22-inch machine-finished wheels are all available on the 2019 Cadillac Escalade. For buyers seeking the most indulgence, the range-topping Platinum line comes with Nappa semi-aniline leather, suede microfiber headliner and climate-controlled 18-way-adjustable front seats complete with massaging functionality for the driver’s side. A head-up display is also available, as are a sunroof, a rear-entertainment system with a 9-inch overhead screen, wireless headphones and remote control. Top Platinum models get a unique chrome grille, power-retractable side steps, a suede headliner and a leather-wrapped instrument cluster and console.

Cadillac offers only one engine choice for the 2019 Escalade and Escalade ESV: a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Standard models are pushed by their rear wheels (2WD), with 4-wheel drive (4WD) an extra-cost option. Regardless of drive mode, GM’s newest 10-speed automatic transmission takes care of power delivery, providing smooth shifts and pretty respectable highway fuel economy considering the massive weight it’s tasked with helping move. Premium fuel is not required but recommended, helping save a few cents at the pump when you don’t need the full muscle and might of the Escalade’s big V8.

6.2-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/23 mpg (2WD), 14/21 mpg (4WD), 14/23 mpg (ESV 2WD), 14/21 mpg (ESV 4WD)