Cadillac Escalade

2022

Reg.Year
Petrol

Fuel Type
Automatic

Transmission
420

Engine
7

Seats

Pros

Cool-looking digital cockpit interface
One of the roomiest cabins in the class
Huge rear cargo space and excellent in-cabin storage

What’s new

Additional safety features included on base model
Enhanced safety features included on upper trims
Part of the fifth Escalade generation introduced for 2021

More than two decades after its debut, the Cadillac Escalade remains a modern icon. Its sharp creases, undeniable presence, strong V8 power and robust towing ability have made it a fixture in both pop culture and suburban driveways. Fully redesigned last year, the 2022 Escalade carries over its winning formula, with only minor changes to driver aids and safety features.

This new-generation Escalade is longer than its predecessor, making for even more passenger room in its second and third rows. A new independent suspension design replaces the old solid-axle configuration, helping the Escalade feel less like a luxury truck and more like a proper executive-class ride. Cadillac’s Super Cruise semi-automated driving system reinforces the feeling with a nearly hands- and feet-free cruise control experience ideal for taming the stress of crowded highway commutes.

The Escalade’s refinements make it no less capable, though. With a max 8,200-pound towing capacity and optional diesel V6 engine, it still performs truck work with ease. The big Caddy’s updates make it one of today’s top luxury SUVs, though the closely matched Lincoln Navigator or the Mercedes-Benz GLS, with its superlative interior and equally impressive technology pedigree, remain worthy alternatives. Be sure to read our Expert Rating below for finer details on the 2022 Cadillac Escalade.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the Escalade drive? Cadillac has done a fine job hiding just how big and heavy the Escalade really is. The Escalade’s 6.2-liter V8 might not send it to 60 mph (6.7 seconds) as quickly as some rival SUVs, but it’s potent enough. On-ramps and highway passing are no issue, and the V8 sounds pretty good too. The transmission occasionally has some abrupt shifts, and we wish the shift paddles worked in Drive and not just Low, but it’s mostly smooth and smart enough to be in the right gear most of the time.

We wouldn’t call the Escalade sporty, but it’s smooth and composed enough around turns. The steering is light and direct, so parking or driving down winding roads doesn’t feel like a chore.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Escalade? We don’t think the Escalade’s ride is quite as refined as that of class leaders such as the Mercedes GLS, but it’s certainly comfortable enough most of the time. The seats, too, aren’t quite as relaxing as those of the class leaders, but you won’t be complaining after hundreds of miles behind the wheel. It’s generally pretty quiet too.

The climate control system keeps the temperature even, but overall it falls short of the best of the best. There isn’t enough adjustment in the vents, and we had to adjust the automatic temperature frequently. Heated seats allow finer control of the zones, which is great.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? As you might expect, the Escalade’s interior is vast and spacious. All three rows are large enough for adults, and the wide doors and accessible grab handles make getting in and out simple if a bit of a climb. The seating position is high and truck-like, which is either good or bad depending on your preference. Outward visibility isn’t great, but the exterior camera system makes parking relatively easy.

Most of the controls are easy to understand, but some are ill placed and hard to see. The climate control settings are difficult to see at night because the toggles that control things aren’t illuminated, and we frequently hit the wrong button trying to adjust the temperature.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? The Escalade offers some of the latest and greatest tech General Motors has to offer. Unfortunately, a lot of it is optional. The adaptive cruise and lane-keeping assist systems make driving such a large SUV easier, but some things, such as the night vision camera, seem more like a novelty.

The Escalade features a sleek-looking digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. There’s a decent level of customization, and the Escalade’s standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean you can easily run music or podcasts straight from native apps on your phone. There’s one wireless charging pad as well as USB-C ports for every row, so everyone has charging options.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The Escalade’s cargo area is massive. The space is wide and open, and while the liftover is on the high side, the adaptive air suspension can lower the Escalade when parked to help load items. Storage for small items is good, too, with plenty of pockets and bins for things such as sunglasses and hand sanitizer bottles. There’s an optional chilled center console. The Escalade’s tow rating is 8,200 pounds in the right configuration and when properly equipped — that’s certainly sufficient for a small or medium-size trailer.

Installing a child seat in the rear should be relatively simple. The doors open wide, the anchors are reasonably accessible, and there’s plenty of space for a rear-facing seat. The high seats may make getting in a bit of a climb.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 16 mpg combined with the 6.2-liter V8 and 4WD. That’s not so great even for a large SUV. We saw 17.5 mpg during our time testing an Escalade with the V8 and 4WD, so at least you can expect to get the EPA’s numbers or a little better. Choose the diesel if you want better fuel economy — it tops out at 23 mpg combined.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Escalade a good value? The Escalade looks and feels pretty nice up front, though we don’t think the interior feels quite as premium as the cabins of the best luxury SUVs, especially in the back two rows. The design is clean, and the leather feels great. The dash-spanning digital display looks impressive too. Some of the trim and buttons look a little cheap, but overall it’s a fairly nice place to spend your commute if you’re the one driving.

Pricing lines up right with the competition. Cadillac’s four-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranties are average for the class. You also get six years of roadside assistance, but Cadillac only includes a year of scheduled maintenance.

Wildcard

8.5/10

Nothing this big and heavy can be considered fun to drive in a sporty sort of way, but there’s something enjoyable about cruising around in a big, comfy V8-powered SUV. The stylish interior design makes it feel a cut above most other SUVs. The sharp exterior angles and formidable size are sure to attract attention, but that’s always been part of the appeal of driving an Escalade.

Which Escalade does Edmunds recommend?

We’d be perfectly content with the features and style of the base Luxury trim. But stretching to the Premium Luxury offers a few more standard features, like a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats, and opens the door to options such as an adaptive air suspension and the Super Cruise semi-automated driving system.

Cadillac Escalade models

The 2022 Escalade is a three-row luxury SUV that seats seven passengers standard and offers eight-passenger seating with an optional second-row bench seat. It’s available in five trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum.

All come standard with a 6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft) and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is optional. A turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft) is also available. Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Luxury
Standard feature highlights include:

22-inch wheels
Simulated leather upholstery
Dash-spanning 16.9-inch infotainment screen and a 14.2-inch instrument cluster
Keyless entry and ignition with remote start
Heated front and rear outboard seats
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Wireless phone charging
Tri-zone climate control
Hands-free liftgate
19-speaker AKG Studio audio system
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist (steer the Escalade back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Front and rear parking sensors

Premium Luxury
Builds on the Luxury trim’s features with:

Panoramic sunroof
Head-up display
Leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
Adaptive cruise control
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Selecting the Premium Luxury trim also opens up many options, including:

Touring package
- Adaptive air suspension
- Soft-close doors (catch as they’re being closed and gently pull shut)

Performance package
- Upgraded suspension
- Electronically controlled limited-slip differential
- Trailer hitch assist that helps when lining up a trailer
- Trailer brake controller that helps control a trailer when on the road

Heavy-Duty Trailering package
- Upgraded cooling system
- Auxiliary trailer camera
- Trailer tire pressure monitoring system

Notable stand-alone options include:

Adaptive air suspension
Upgraded Brembo brake system
Rear-seat entertainment system
Super Cruise semi-automated driving system

Premium Luxury Platinum
Comes with most options as standard equipment, including:

Adaptive air suspension
Soft-closing doors
Massaging front seats with wider range of adjustment
Leather-wrapped instrument panel, console and upper door panels
36-speaker AKG premium audio system with Bluetooth headphones
Rear-seat entertainment system

The Sport and Sport Platinum trims generally mirror the Premium Luxury and Premium Luxury Platinum features and options, respectively, with visual touches such as wheels and gloss-black trim separating the models.

Basic Information
Vehicle Type	SUV
Brand	Cadillac
Model	Cadillac Escalade
Model Year	2020, 2021, 2022
Fuel Type	Petrol

Technical Specification
Seating Capacity	7
Transmission Type	Automatic

Accessories
Air Conditioner
AntiLock Braking System
Power Steering
Indoor Fireplace
Power Windows
CD Player
Leather Seats
Central Locking
Power Door Locks
Brake Assist
Driver Airbag
Passenger Airbag
Crash Sensor
Engine Check Warning
Automatic Headlamps

Find Your Dream Car (Quick Search)

2022

Petrol

Automatic

420

7

What’s new

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Escalade does Edmunds recommend?

Cadillac Escalade models