Escalade is the best-selling full-size SUV in the United States, and for good reason.
After five generations, Cadillac Escalade has been firmly at the top of its market segment. So, what is the key to maintaining a competitive advantage?
First of all, the 2022 Escalade is exactly what its buyers need: big, bold and full of technical features. There is no doubt that it beats Mercedes-Benz and BMW in different categories, but this is mainly due to its eye-catching exterior design.
However, as attractive as Escalade's exterior, the interior uses high-quality leather and a large 38-inch OLED touch screen that covers the dashboard. In addition, the impressive display can drive an optional 36-speaker sound system with superior sound quality.
Passengers in the second and even third rows can also experience luxury and comfort, making Escalade an excellent platform for road trips. The Tahoe-based Escalade provides a lot of cargo space, but if you need more interior space, you can choose a suburban-based ESV model.
Although Escalade ranks high in several categories, some other categories can be improved. First of all, the suspension is hard, although you can appreciate the new fully independent suspension on flat and curved roads. In addition, the fact that you can find some switches on other GM models degrades the luxurious atmosphere. But as a whole, Escalade is the most satisfying SUV you can find on the market.
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Escalade is Cadillac's best-selling model, higher than sedans and crossovers. It is also by far the best-selling full-size luxury SUV in the US market. Faced with this challenge, GM's fifth-generation has strengthened their respective advantages and updated some elements, not only to keep the 2022 Lincoln Navigator and 2022 Jeep Grand Touring equivalent from the impact; even Japanese threats, such as Lexus LX and Infiniti QX80, and some European upstarts, use a hard shell body without a frame chassis.
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In terms of the trapezoidal chassis, the Cadillac Escalade has achieved great success while retaining certain old-fashioned elements, such as the huge V8 gasoline engine, not to mention its square design. However, for this generation, it incorporates novelties, such as a huge OLED screen, a diesel power system with industrial-grade torque, semi-autonomous driving, and the first independent rear suspension in its history.
The Escalade's design is still huge, boxy, and sharp-edged, which is exactly what fans of this model like. But for this generation, we will see much smaller signs and headlights compared to previous models.
When the second and third rows are folded, the luggage capacity increases 68% to 25.5 cubic feet. It is also bigger: 9.4 inches long, and the wheelbase has increased by 4.9 inches.
On the long SV variant, the length has increased by 2.7 inches, and the wheelbase has increased by 4.1 inches. Most of the extra space is used for the third row of seats.
The Escalade is equipped with an independent rear suspension for the first time ever. With optional air suspension and special dampers, this noble giant looks like you are driving in the clouds.
Once, all of GM's full-size trucks, including the Silverado, used the same interior layout. But not anymore. 2022 Escalade now has its own design, with materials and technology comparable to flagships.
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The basic model provides synthetic leather, but the rest can be added with semi-aniline leather. You will also get real wood and aluminum applications, in addition to the front seats with 16-way electric adjustment and massage functions. The interior design is based on the famous Escala concept.
The instrument panel is dominated by three curved OLED displays, which are 14.2, 16.9 (the largest in the industry) and 7.2 inches. In the second row, there are two more screens, 12.6". The system includes augmented reality navigation and full mirror display.
The standard sound system includes 19 speakers. They can choose 36 speakers, 28 channels of AKG 3D audio. It should be able to make some small cars dance at maximum volume.
Some of the safety features of the 2022 Escalade include driver, passenger, front head, rear head and front side airbags. It is also equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.
The 2022 Escalade retains the comprehensive fuel economy of a small 6.2-liter V8 engine with a cylinder cut-off function and 17 MPG. The engine can produce 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. In addition, you can also choose a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine. The diesel engine can produce 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, with a fuel economy of 26 MPG. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed gearbox. General Motors has not announced any Escalade electrification plans, but from a market perspective, there is no doubt that we will hear one soon.
After evaluating 17 driver assistance systems, Consumer Reports stated that General Motors’ Super Cruise is the best today, even surpassing Tesla’s Autopilot, even though its name only offers semi-autonomous driving.
2021 is a great year for car enthusiasts, but 2022 may be even better!
Eduardo Zepeda is a car enthusiast, writer, gasoline mechanic and motorhome enthusiast from Leon, Mexico. He has lived in different regions of Mexico, the United States and Canada, and likes to take his wife and dog to travel on wheels at home. For the past 7 years, he has been a copywriter and content strategist, publishing content related to manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace, and general industry.