Overview

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade comes in five trims: Luxury (base), Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum. All models come standard with a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The new engine on the block, a 277-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel-6, arrived late in the 2021 model year. It’s capable enough but slow in comparison with the usual Escalade drivetrain. On top of that, it takes years at current fuel prices to make the diesel pay back its extra cost—and it tows less.

The only real choice here is GM’s effortlessly strong and smooth 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8. Teamed with a 10-speed automatic, it hustles off the line and whispers through gearshifts on its way to 60 mph in about six seconds flat. It’s a superb combination, one that can tow up to 8,200 lb with an available tow package.

In its latest redesign, the Escalade adopted a new independent rear suspension, which does wonders for its ride and handling. Without any further add-ons, the Escalade delivers poised road manners, great road isolation, and quick steering responses. Cadillac offers adaptive magnetic dampers and an air suspension, which can lower or raise the Escalade by up to four inches; the combination offers a fast-reacting suspension that flattens out what would otherwise be a cumbersome ride, lowers the vehicle for better fuel economy, raises it for better ground clearance, and grants it a deft and maneuverable feel that finally puts it on par with Lincoln’s Navigator. It’s still difficult to park—the big SUV feels even bigger when trying to slip into a slimmer space—but with nicely weighted steering and a more controlled ride, the Escalade puts good road manners in its win column.

Interior, Comfort

The Escalade has space and swagger. With its vast interior and swanky fitments, the Escalade SUV earns a perfect 10 for comfort and utility, whether it’s an ESV or not.

Even base Escalades have front seats that adjust a dozen ways, with heating and options for cooling and massaging and scads of space in all directions; a good driving position’s just a few toggles away for most drivers. Synthetic leather upholstery morphs into real hides on most trim levels. Wood trim panels the dash, and though Cadillac uses cheaper plastics on knee-level trim, it’s almost invisible amid the wash of digital displays and soft upholstery. At long last, the Escalade’s interior is sensational, though still more low-key than that of the Navigator.

Row two can seat three across when it’s a no-cost bench seat, but most Escalades have captain’s chairs there, with tall doors that ease access for tall passengers. A pair of 12.6-inch entertainment screens keep those passengers distracted.

With its newly adopted independent rear suspension and up to 10 inches of additional legroom in this latest iteration, the Escalade can seat two adults or three small people in the rearmost seats, or it can fold those seatbacks down to create a flat load floor. Behind row three the Escalade sports 25.5 cubic feet of room; that swells to 109.1 cubic feet behind the front seats in the stock Escalade, or 126.6 cubes in the ESV.