Quick Facts
- Original starting price: $77,890 (including a $1,695 destination fee)
- Class: Luxury Full-Size SUV
- Competitors: GMC Yukon, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS
- KBB.com Fair Purchase Price
Introduction
The Cadillac Escalade is a regal, full-size SUV from General Motors’ luxury arm. Retooled inside and out for 2021, the luxurious family hauler combines generous space with a more refined style in an all-new but familiar package.
Distinctively Escalade, the 7- to 8-seater gets an upgraded platform, a broader body, and better-configured space to make the 2021 Escalade roomier and more user-friendly than ever. Second-row captain’s chairs or a middle bench are no-cost options that enhance the freedom of choice in the now 7-inch-longer vehicle. Escalade buyers can now choose between the smooth 3.0-liter turbodiesel first found in the Chevrolet Silverado or the classic direct-injected 6.2-liter V8 carried over from 2020.
First debuted for North American audiences in 1999 as the classy, capable cousin of the GMC Yukon Denali, the Cadillac Escalade has been the pinnacle of American big-body luxury for decades. Beloved by icons, driven by superstars, and equipped with tech that matched the times and evolved the definition of luxury as the industry transitioned, the Escalade made Cadillac cool again. As a canvas for the next generation of the ground-breaking, hands-free, semi-autonomous Super Cruise, the all-new Escalade makes an impressive case for the fusion of form, nostalgia, luxury, and technological innovation.
Cadillac CPO Warranty Program Highlights
- Limited Warranty: The remainder of the new car warranty plus an additional year with unlimited mileage after the expiration of the new car warranty
- Powertrain Warranty: The remainder of the new car warranty plus an additional year with unlimited mileage after the expiration of the new car warranty
- Roadside Assistance: Not included
- Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Cadillac
Key Competitors
KBB Review Highlights
Available in 5 models and two engines, the 2021 Escalade straightens its crown in an opulent class with the Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and its GMC cousin, the Yukon XL Denali. All-new for 2021, the Escalade is updated and upgraded to feel more regal and provide a more efficient ride. The standard Escalade has a 120.9-inch wheelbase and is 211 inches long, and the Escalade ESV stretches out on a 134.1-inch wheelbase and is 226.9 inches long — a little over a foot longer in each case.
Similar to its GMC family members, the Escalade comes with GM’s powerhouse 6.2 V8 engine, but unlike some of its cousins, it also offers the choice of a turbodiesel engine at no cost. The 6.2-liter V8 provides 420 horsepower, while the 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 delivers 277 hp. Both engines eke out an impressive 460 lb-ft of torque. They have a 10-speed automatic transmission and the new standard independent rear suspension. The result is the smoothest, most refined ride we’ve experienced in an Escalade. Outfitted in two waves, GM hardwired some 2021 Escalades for Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system. Unfortunately, retrofitting is unavailable for the 2021 model.
An impressive show of upgraded technology is visible in the massive 38-inch display. Comprised of three digital panels, the infotainment system includes a 14.2-inch center panel with information directed for the driver and a larger side screen showing all the connectivity and navigation elements drivers love. The slightly curved screen called OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) uses an augmented reality system that overlays directions via a live camera feed of the road. The new infotainment system, while beautiful, has a learning curve requiring some practice.
The cabin is richly textured, with wood accents, leatherette in the base model, and pebbled leather in the higher trims. Due to the standard-length Escalade’s increased length, the interior offers greater comfort and space for living. Full-size humans can now fit comfortably in the third row, which has expanded to 25.5 cubic feet from 15.2 cubic feet last year, which amounts to about 10 inches of increased leg space. Three-zone climate control and power front seats are standard. Upper trims get massage functionality. Charging ports are within easy reach, cupholders are abundant, and the 19-speaker audio system is stellar.
Luxury is the currency within the Escalade, and as you scale the trims, additions like a panoramic sunroof come to the table to amp up the glam factor. Higher trims also get a more comprehensive safety suite with blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assist — sensible features in a vehicle this size. The most abundant trim is the Platinum Luxury trim, which brings dreamy semi-aniline leather upholstery, massaging seats, soft-close doors, Night Vision, an enhanced version of adaptive cruise control, reverse braking, and Magnetic Ride Control with Air Suspension.
Along with the interior upgrades, the Escalade’s body receives the same glow-up treatment with a more defined shape, a wider stance, and a more muscular body. The redesigned front lighting, horizontal headlights, and tall 3D taillights mark the Escalade with bright distinction. Big 22-inch wheels anchor the Escalade and will be available on the Sport trim for the first time in the 2021 model. Several assistance and performance packages are available, including the Z66 Performance Package, Heavy Duty Trailering, and the Driver Assist and Technology Package. The coveted console cooler, rear entertainment system, and power-assist side steps are stand-alone add-ons that buyers can add to any trim.
See Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Review of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade
If you’re ready to shop, see certified pre-owned 2021 Cadillac models
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