2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its grand dimensions, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, gave the impression of a diesel locomotive. The styling elements combined to create a unique look that set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk. The 22-inch wheels appeared small against the vast expanse of sheet metal. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim, while the Sport trim had darkened trim, including a mesh grille. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, similar to its rival, the Lincoln Navigator. Inside, the 2022 Escalade offered luxury features like leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme, with some cheap-looking plastic bits detracting from the overall luxury feel.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade continued to impress with its towering presence and spacious interior. It required significant space to park, emphasizing its role as a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and advanced technology. The Escalade ESV, an extended version, added even more length, making it a showpiece for those who wanted to make a statement. The latest Escalade appeared athletic and trim, thanks to thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights that visually narrowed its girth. The Sport Platinum trim darkened chrome bits, helping to mask its mass. The interior featured a curved, leather-edged array of screens spanning 38 inches across the dashboard, with seven choices of wood trim and intricate seat perforations. However, some parts, like the heated seat controls and shifter, were shared with cheaper GM vehicles, detracting from the luxury experience. The 2023 Escalade needed a more cohesive design, similar to the 2023 Lyriq, to fully embrace its Cadillac identity.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine delivered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel-drive (4WD) in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it an asset for pulling away from stops. However, the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, with vibrations from pavement imperfections affecting the cabin. The gasoline engine had a slight towing advantage, with a maximum capacity of 3,629 kilograms, but fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's towing capacity. The Escalade lacked off-road capability compared to its GM cousins and competitors like the Range Rover and Grand Wagoneer.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a pleasant driving experience, though the standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine didn't deliver the expected speed despite its muscle-car sound. It was suitable for gentle cruising, with cylinder deactivation improving fuel efficiency to a combined 15.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The V8's power specs of 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque were adequate for towing, but the Escalade felt heavy in passing situations. The Escalade-V addressed acceleration issues with a supercharged Corvette V8 producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, though it seemed excessive. The optional 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel V6, tested in a 2022 model, offered smooth torque delivery and better fuel economy. The 4WD system was rudimentary, with a centre differential locking torque 50:50 front to rear. The Escalade's magnetic ride control dampers and optional air suspension improved maneuverability, but wind noise at highway speeds detracted from the luxury experience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, offering a cavernous cabin. It provided the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, though the Lincoln Navigator offered more second-row headroom. The Escalade's cargo capacity was impressive, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console lacked storage space, and the front seats, while adjustable, felt like they came from GM cousins. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing functionality.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted the most space-efficient interior among large SUVs, with 722 litres behind the third row, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,426 litres with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, maxing out at 4,044 litres. The independent rear suspension contributed to generous headroom and legroom in every row, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast interface. An optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience. The air suspension lowered the truck for easier loading, and the tailgate's separate glass window was ideal for pets. However, the second-row seats lacked power adjustment.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens. The 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster was flanked by a 16.9-inch touchscreen and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with functional icons. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and an augmented-reality navigation system. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard but challenging to tune.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade introduced several automotive tech firsts, including a vast span of OLED screens across the dash. The front camera displayed a high-res feed with directional arrows and street names, enhancing navigation. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a head-up display, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability were standard. Super Cruise, a $2,875 option, offered hands-free highway driving with infrared eye-tracking cameras for safety. It worked on over 320,000 kilometres of marked highways and required no driver intervention except for lane changes. Night Vision and a 36-speaker AKG audio system added to the tech offerings. The front seats offered five massage modes, and the rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was optional on most trims. It allowed hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. However, the Escalade lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, lane-departure warning, and lane keep assist. Reverse emergency braking was optional but had issues in testing. Night Vision and Super Cruise were also available.