The Escalade was Cadillac’s first attempt at full size luxury SUV,
which was launched in 1999. It has since come a long way, and is currently in
its fourth generation.
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is underpinned by GM’s full-size SUV
platform which also underpins the Tahoe and Yukon twins. Only thing
differentiating Escalade here is that it offers everything more, right from
power and torque to features and space. The.
It is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine, which is mated to a
10-speed automatic transmission. The Escalade is big, powerful and spacious,
but is it a worthy contender in the luxury SUV space? Let’s find out.
Likes
-> Massive street-cred
-> Massive towing capacity of 8,300 pounds
-> Strong, robust build
Dislikes
-> Stiff ride quality
-> Non-sliding second row, high loading bay rob away
practicality
-> NVH levels, high emission
The 2018 Escalade is available in 3 trims, namely Luxury, Premium
Luxury and Platinum. The Luxury trim is priced at $82,395 while Premium Luxury
trim is priced at $86,995. The top of the line Platinum trim is priced at
$96,095. All the trims come with a powerful V8 motor. Rear Wheel Drive is
standard while there is an option of Four-Wheel-Drive.2018 Cadillac Escalade at a base price of $82,395 and goes as high as $96,095 for the top-end trim
Powering this behemoth is a 6.2 liter V8 motor which produces 420
hp of power and a monstrous 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The motor is mated to an all
new, 10 speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. The
engine is the highlight of this car. 0-60 mph is seen at 6.6 seconds, and for
the size and character of this SUV, it is fast! The transmission complements
the motor extremely well, and the gear shifts are butter smooth.
Due to Escalade’s massive curb weight and dimensions, there is a
lot of body-roll on offer. Handling is not upto the mark, and that can be felt
during cornering. The steering is heavy, but offers decent feel and feedback.
The braking is just enough to stop the car without any drama. It is not
confidence inspiring and the car travels about 140 ft, before coming to a halt
from 60 mph. Fuel efficiency is rated 14 mpg, and the Escalade is a big time
gas-guzzler.
Exterior
The Escalade is a brash and rugged looking SUV. It has 3 rows of
seating and the car feels robust and well-engineered, as if it’s built to last.
The Platinum trim gets 20” wheels which lend the car a very muscular and
planted stance.
Interior
The interior of the Escalade is a nice place to be in. The cabin
is well laid out, and there is enough space on offer, even in the second row.
The third row is best suited for children and really short adults. The front
seats offer good support for driver, with adequate cushioning and bolstering.
What’s disappointing is that the second row of seats don’t slide or recline,
which rob away the comfort factor.
Safety
The Escalade is loaded with a lot of safety features. The car was
awarded 4 stars in crash test conducted by NHTSA.
The base Luxury trim gets rear parking sensors, rear parking camera and Driver
Awareness Package, which includes Blind-Spot monitoring, Automatic high beams,
lane departure warning and automatic braking. The Premium Luxury gets Adaptive
Cruise Control, in addition. The Platinum trim gets all of these and slightly
more features with respect to rear seat entertainment.
Final Verdict
The Cadillac Escalade has always been popular for its aggressive
styling and massive footprint. The 2018 avatar is improved in every bit and
offers luxury in an SUV which is as big as a truck! Although it is not as
dynamically sorted as some of its competitors, this is one SUV which can take
you places in supreme comfort.