There’s an old saying that goes, “there are Cadillacs, and then there is the Escalade.” The full-size luxury SUV is not only the brand’s flagship, but it’s also a platform for Cadillac to display its technological and design chops, and the latest versions of the Escalade show both to a high degree. The SUV entered its fifth generation in 2021, which brought a diesel engine option and a boatload of new tech that made the Escalade a forward-looking luxury powerhouse.
The 2023 model year brings the release of the Escalade V-Series, the first performance SUV for Cadillac. Though it will look like an Escalade, the V-Series should derive immense power from a supercharged V8 engine, and the super ‘ute will also get go-fast suspension and handling bits.
- The 2023 Cadillac Escalade will be the first SUV to receive the V-Series treatment
- The Escalade-V gets exclusive exterior styling and badges to differentiate it from the standard SUV
- Signs point to a supercharged LT4 V8 similar to the engine powering the CT5-V Blackwing
- Full specifications and release date details are coming in spring 2022
The Cadillac Escalade got a full refresh for the 2021 model year that retained the luxo-barge’s trademark styling but added length and smoothed out the sharp edges from years past. As part of the newly minted fifth-generation Escalade line, the V-Series shares more than a passing resemblance with its “lesser” counterparts. Black exterior accents are plentiful, with acres of the stuff covering the rocker panels, lower bumpers, front air vents, and side window trim. Other than subtle trim, the only indications that something special is happening are the “V” badges on the front quarter panels, sporty wheels, and red brake calipers.
Cadillac hasn’t shared any detail on the V-Series’ interior, but it’s expected to be just as opulent as the standard Escalade. That means rich leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats, interesting wood and metal accents, and gobs of space. Top trims of the standard Escalade offer rear-seat entertainment and heated second-row buckets, so the V-Series will likely offer similar accommodations.
Besides sharing the Escalade V-Series’ aggressive exhaust note, Cadillac has not divulged any powertrain details on the upcoming super SUV. That said, the automaker is likely to stuff a detuned version of the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 that powers the bonkers CT5-V Blackwing. Cadillac isn’t likely to unleash the powertrain’s full 668-horsepower potential here, but the engine will be a significant improvement over the standard Escalade’s 420 hp.
Beyond the powertrain, Cadillac’s teaser images and video show red brake calipers and aggressive wheels. Around the back, there are quad exhaust tips, and the SUV wears LED lighting all around.
Crash-test ratings for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade are not yet available. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the structurally similar 2022 Escalade four (out of five) stars for overall safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not evaluated the current-generation Escalade yet. Cadillac added new safety gear for the 2022 model year. Lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warning became standard for the base trim. Additionally, the top three trims picked up Super Cruise as standard equipment, along with front/rear automatic emergency braking. The Escalade-V will retain those features but will likely not add many more, as the SUV will roll into 2023 unchanged for the most part.
Cadillac made waves with the fifth-generation Escalade’s interior technologies, namely its massive, dash-dominating OLED displays. The system adds up to 38 inches of screen space, with a 16.9-inch infotainment screen, a 14.2-inch configurable digital gauge cluster, and a 7.2-inch touchscreen control panel to the left of the steering column. Though separate displays, the screens are arranged in a single, expansive panel that gives the Escalade a dramatic interior effect.
Other standard features include:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- AKG 19-speaker stereo
- HD Radio
- SiriusXM satellite radio
- Teen Driver mode
- Augmented reality with live camera view of the road ahead and special navigation functions
- Wireless smartphone charging
The Cadillac Escalade competes at the tippy-top of the luxury SUV world. It counts the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, GMC Yukon Denali, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and others among its main rivals.
Cadillac is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of January 25, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
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