In 1701, it would have been unfathomable for French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, to consider that some 200 years later, a person born in the “New World” would not only found a company named after him but the company bearing his name would set the standard for luxury in a motor coach that could move without horses. And it certainly would have been outside the realm of reality to think that 120 years after Cadillac was founded, the Escalade would set the benchmark for American SUV luxury. However, this is not a far-fetched story. It’s reality. It’s the 2021 Cadillac Escalade 600.
The front fascia is bold yet elegant and unmistakably Cadillac.
Cadillac first introduced the Escalade namesake in 1999, a prudent move that at the time was designed to put the brand front and center with other domestic and import brands who had begun offering full-sized “covered trucks” to an evolving consumer base. Since that time, compact and full-sized SUVs have dominated the U.S. market, leading to companies like Ford to abandon sedans altogether and instead focus on CUV and SUV platforms.
The Escalade is bold in design, front and rear, with a character that undoubtedly sets the standard for American luxury.
The 2021 edition of the Escalade marks the fifth generation of this venerable model and its evolution these past 22 years is markedly its best yet. Like the previous generation Escalade, a standard and long-wheel base variant are available depending on cargo needs. My test vehicle featured standard wheel base mated to a 6.2L V8 powertrain, a stout offering with with exceptional reputation that produces plenty of power and gobs of torque. It also gulps fuel faster than you can chug a bottle of Chianti. I averaged 13.3mpg during my week-long test drive and was admittedly disappointed by these results. A less thirsty and equally capable powertrain in the form of an inline 6-cylinder Duramax turbo 3.0L diesel is available and after having driven other General Motors products with that powertrain, I’m sold on it as being an exceptional alternative that’s well over 50% more fuel efficient. Still, the 6.2L V8 is an impressive powertrain known for its reliability. Plus, its intentionally understated exhaust note is still thrilling for a full-sized SUV, particularly one that epitomizes luxury.
This leads me to the 600 badging on the rear of the Escalade. There’s been quite a bit of chatter on Cadillac’s use of this badging nomenclature and from what I’ve read, the 600 denotes the amount of torque (in Neuton-meters, not pound-feet us Americans are used to) and is subsequently rounded downwards. I’m not yet sure I understand the logic of referencing a vehicle’s torque as a basis for its model badging but alas, all I can do is surmise that Cadillac has broader plans for its badging convention with other models going forward, and it fits within their model. Still, its a bit confusing but alas, Cadillac isn’t the first auto manufacturer to sometimes stifle its customer base.
Cadillac Escalade’s interior is intuitive, functional, comfortable, smart, technologically savy, and generally quite impressive. The quality of materials and a display system that’s perfect in its size and usability is the gold standard for American luxury.
On the inside, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade earns its reputation as the standard for American luxury. The supple leather upholstery, seat bolstering, digital dashboard featuring three curved OLED displays, and overall use of intuitive technology throughout the Escalade delivers a platform that’s truly the crème de la crème for General Motors. Everything about the vehicle’s design and intelligent technological features, whether it’s the myriad of safety features, parking assist, heads-up functionality, navigation system, adjustable ambient lighting, or the OLED display located to the left of the dash panel highlighting trip information, the Escalade provides its occupants with a cloud-like drivability around town or while on the highway while also delivering an experience that defines the full-sized SUV segment. Plus, its standard 19-speaker system sounds fantastic and if you have the coin for the Platinum edition, you’ll be mesmerized by the AKG Studio Reference system with a literal mind-blowing 36 speakers! Only the now defunct (at least in the United States) Toyota Land Cruiser delivers an equally compelling experience for the driver and its occupants.
The display to the left of the main dash panel provides valuable trip information that intelligently utilizes space while following a design that’s pleasurable on the eyes and materials that compliment the brand’s appeal.
So what can I say that’s not so overwhelmingly glowing about the newest Cadillac Escalade? For starters, price. There are five variants available for Escalade: Luxury (starting at $77,840), Premium Luxury (starting at $84,840), Sport (starting at $87,540), Premium Luxury Platinum (starting at $101,290), and Sport Platinum (starting at $102,240). When compared to the upfitted 2021 Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon, both of which are exceptionally luxurious in their own right with prices maxed out near the entry point of the new Escalade, one has to question the price of entry given depreciation and if a six-figure SUV is/isn’t completely outrageous.
My second complaint is the faux leather that comes standard on the Luxury trim model. If a vehicle is offered as a Luxury edition, it shouldn’t have fake leather seats. The soft hides found in the other models should be standard Luxury equipment, particularly given this is a Cadillac. But I digress.
Setting these costs aside, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is absolutely the best Escalade to date. From the inside out, this iteration of the Escalade is the modern stagecoach travelers centuries past would have been absolutely enthralled with, much less those in the 21st century. The design and layout is smart, bold, engaging, and generally downright beautiful. Interior space is more than ample to keep occupants and cargo comfortable whether traveling near or far and despite pricing that’s certainly lofty and not for everyone, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade sets the benchmark for American luxury. We’ll see how other American manufacturers take notice. One thing is for certain though: the 2021 Cadillac Escalade upholds the moniker “Standard of the World” the brand first derived in 1908 and it has every intention of keeping it that way.