2015 Cadillac Escalade
Because Escalade, that's why.
October 2013
BY JUSTIN BERKOWITZ
There is a certain internet meme that properly, tersely, and fully explains the existence of the Cadillac Escalade. With vulgar charm, it addresses the critical and common question of “Why would someone want an expensive Yukon/Tahoe/Suburban?” (In fact, it’s a solid—if crass—response to any “why” question.) But we can’t reproduce that meme here. It’s just not a family friendly line, and the Escalade is, at its core, a family vehicle. Really. Every year, tens of thousands of people buy Cadillac’s massive three-row SUV, and these buyers are on average younger, wealthier, and better educated than buyers of any other Cadillac model. These are demographics that any car company would be desperate to keep, and so with GM rolling out new versions of all of its full-sized trucks this year, it’s only rational that Cadillac would have a new iteration of the lovably irrational Escalade.
Entering its fourth generation, the Escalade is, as it always has been, a close sibling of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon. Look beyond the snazzy headlights—they’re LEDs with a Cadillac logo and “total internal reflection” high beams—and the 2015 Escalade is still largely wearing the same clothes as its corporate brethren. But what’s the harm there? Shoppers have always known about this cross-brand connection, and plenty still stream into Cadillac showrooms. There’s more to like with this new ’Slade, too. Like the YukaTahoBurbans, the Escalade’s doors are now set deeper in the side of the vehicle, rather than outside of it, which Cadillac says will deliver a quieter, more refined ride. Twenty-inch wheels, once the exclusive turf of washed-up rappers turned TV hosts, are standard, and 22s are optional.
Left: 2015 Cadillac Escalade headlight. Right: 2014 Cadillac Escalade headlight.
It’s the Escalade’s interior where Cadillac has made the biggest effort to separate its flagship from lesser GM trucks, and the results are impressive. For the first time, the Escalade’s cabin says “CTS” more than it does “Yukon,” sharing none of its dash or door trim with the GMC and Chevy SUVs. The Caddy’s dashboard is dominated by a façade of button-free shiny black plastic, otherwise known as the touch-sensitive CUE system already serving in the ATS, CTS, and XTS. That panel is paired with an eight-inch touch screen and they combine to control the radio, climate control, navigation, and more. One does hold out hope that scientists are able to end the terrible global button-and-knob shortage soon.
In place of the traditional gauge cluster, the Escalade features a 12.3-inch screen with a customizable display. The driver can choose to have it show navigation details, trip data, or audio info in whatever way is most pleasing to him or her. It can even be set up to show gauges.
Front-seat occupants will also enjoy standard heated and cooled seats, as well as an additional four inches of legroom versus the outgoing Escalade model. The second row comes with standard seat heaters, and the two outboard second-row seats recline. As before, the Escalade will be available in two lengths—a standard version comparable to the Tahoe and Yukon, and a 10-inch-longer Escalade ESV that matches the Suburban and Yukon XL.
The unseen parts of the Escalade are also significantly upgraded from the outgoing generation. Under the hood, Cadillac has installed the newest version of GM’s immortal small-block V-8 engine. Now featuring direct injection, the 6.2-liter V-8 makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, improvements of 17 horses and 43 lb-ft from the engine in the outgoing truck. More power is always welcome, especially when (1) we’re talking about an Escalade, because an Escalade should always have more of everything, and (2) more includes the additional 100 pounds or so that this Escalade has gained versus the model it’s replacing. It would have been nice to see GM launch its next-generation eight-speed automatic transmission in this rig, but alas, the Escalade has a certainly adequate six-speed gearbox.
Magnetic Ride Control, GM’s high-tech suspension system, is standard equipment, and Cadillac offers the now-expected array of driver assistance gadgetry: lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking—for emergencies only, please—and blind-spot monitoring. Much of this equipment is standard on the higher-end Luxury and Premium trim levels, but with even the cheapest Escalade starting at north of $65,000, it’s a little disappointing that any of this kit is an extra-cost option. (Detailed pricing info will be released closer to the SUV’s arrival at dealers this coming spring.)
Discussion of the Escalade often comes back to price, it seems, because we are still in essence talking about a luxury version of two much-less-expensive SUVs. So, in G-rated terms, why does Cadillac have a $65,000 version of the same three-row SUV that GMC and Chevy sell? Because as with the meme, the Escalade is likeable because it’s jarringly inappropriate. That’s why.
Sorry for who ever gives 2 shits...I cant find no "reviews" videos....but when I do I will post.
peace till then.
Props:
up2nogood
