I have a beauty for you this week, the stunning and super-fast 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, a large and luxurious SUV that turns heads everywhere. The first thing people remark on is the exhaust sound. I describe it as sounding like a NASCAR when it fires up.
My Twitter post about this powerful SUV last week even got the attention of an area police department. My thanks to the Arlington, Texas Police Department for this nice tweet:
Nice! Let us know if you are rolling through Arlington in it. You know, just in case 😎
— Arlington, TX Police (@ArlingtonPD) March 14, 2023
Performance
The big story lies under the hood where you find a hand assembled and supercharged 6.2-liter V8 putting out 682-horses and a strong 653-pound feet of torque that really gets this beast moving. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic with paddles shifters. 0-to-60 in this 6,200 pound SUV is just 4-seconds.
Exterior
The exterior is very in-your-face with a massive grill, a rear spoiler, quad exhaust, and huge 22” alloy wheels.
Interior
You’ll be amazed when you open the door to get in. You are met with an opulent interior and seating that rivals the nicest hotel you’ve ever been in.
The magic really happens when you push the start button and three different screens appear in front of you, stretching almost three quarters of the way across the entire vehicle. All total, there are 38-inches of screens.
The touchscreen above the center console is almost 17” by itself and controls everything including the 36-speaker AKG Studio sound system, navigation, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more. A swipe to left gives you trailering options, apps for wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and also Alexa.
The gauge screen is highly configurable, or you can make it a huge map that shows your exact position. There is a small third screen to the left of dash to configure the driver’s screen, turn on night vision, and adjust the terrific head-up display.
The dash is heavily stitched and there is some beautiful wood that runs across it.
The center console features your gear shifter, two cupholders, USB ports, a wireless charger, a round knob if you prefer not to operate everything by touch, and a brake hold button. Next to that you access the “V” setting to configure the vehicle the way you want it.
The leather seats are patterned, bolstered and incredibly comfortable, they are 12-way power, and they are heated and cooled. They also massage you and they are incredible.
Moving to the center row heated-but not air conditioned-captain chairs which slide and recline, these occupants get their own A/C controls, air vents in the ceiling, USB-C ports, a power outlet, and two 12” screens to watch DVDs, play games, or search the web.
To access the massive 3rd row seat, there are switches to power fold the 2nd row seats down easily. The third row will easily seat three adults and has plenty of leg and head room.
Utility
There is a hands-free power liftgate that offers up a lot of cargo area, a power outlet if needed, and switches to fold down the 3rd row that gives you a totally flat load floor. There is underneath storage also for hiding valuables. If you don’t want to open the entire liftgate, you can just open the rear glass. There is also a light that shines the Cadillac logo under the rear bumper to show you where to wave your foot to open the tailgate.
Features and Options
Escalades come completely loaded with remote start, keyless entry, a panoramic power moon roof with a power sliding cover, heated power tilt steering wheel, and an amazing rear camera system with cross traffic alert.
Super Cruise
My tester’s only option is the fantastic Super Cruise self-driving system, everything else is standard equipment on this model and trust me, there is nothing missing.
The $2,500 Enhanced Super Cruise self-driving system is by far the best I have experienced. In short, GM has driven and mapped out over 250,000 miles of divided highways all across America.
If you are on an approved road, you’ll get a green light on the dash. Set the cruise control, hit the Super Cruise, and the vehicle literally drives itself. If you want to change lanes, turn on your blinker and it will make sure there is enough room and will change lanes for you.
A camera on the steering wheel monitors your eyes to make sure you are engaged. If not, you get a verbal warning. After that, the car will start to slow down, the flashers come on, and it will safely get you off the road and OnStar will call for help. This is in case the driver is incapacitated.
Take a look at this video of an Escalade from a couple of years ago. I demonstrate for you just how good the Super Cruise system works:
Ride and Drive
All-in-all the Escalade-V is an amazing, very large, very fast SUV that rides and handles fantastic thanks to the independent rear suspension, and Magnetic Ride Control, which gives you a very smooth ride. If you are like me and a fan of an amazing exhaust sound, it doesn’t get better than this.
Fuel economy, well, it’s what you would expect: 11 in town and 16 on the highway but remember it has close to 700-horses.
Verdict
As always, all this wonderfulness and power comes with a hefty sticker price of $155,365. Sounds like a lot, but I’ve never been in an SUV I’ve enjoyed more, and I’ve reviewed a ton of them. I just wish you could get one, there is a very long waiting list and used ones at the dealer auction are bringing north of $200,000.
- What I liked most: The luxury, the power and the amazing exhaust sound.
- What I would change: Not a single thing.
- MSRP: Base price $149,195. As equipped $155,365 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 11 city/16 highway.
- Odometer reading when tested: 4,700 miles.
- Weight: 6,217 pounds/7.700 GVWR.
- Spare Tire: Full-sized spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 211.9” long/81.1” wide/76.7” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 24 gallons with filler on the driver’s side.
- Official Color: Radiant Red Tintcoat.
- Towing Capacity: 7,000 pounds.
- 2023 Escalade-V in a few words: An amazing SUV that is luxurious, fast and drives like a dream. It is the most enjoyable SUV I've ever reviewed.
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance, free first maintenance visit and courtesy transportation.
- Final Assembly Location: Arlington, TX.
- Manufacturer's website: www.Cadillac.com
