2023 Cadillac Escalade V Review and Test Drive
A luxury SUV with a muscle car inside.
Perry Stern
Review QuickTakes:
BMW has M, Mercedes has AMG, and Cadillac designates its highest-performance models with the letter V. Indeed, the U.S. luxury brand has offered a range of powerful and exciting V-Series models beginning with the first CTS-V in 2004. Now, for the first time, Cadillac is putting the letter V on its most popular model: the luxurious, full-size 2023 Cadillac Escalade SUV.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade V sits atop the Escalade lineup as the most potent version ever offered — and the most expensive. Some SUV buyers might question the value of a nearly 700-horsepower, three-ton SUV that roars like a muscle car, but they likely aren't the audience for this beast of an SUV.
Few SUVs on the market compete with the new Escalade V. In terms of horsepower, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Turbo S, and Tesla Model X all bring considerable power to the road. Still, none can match the Escalade V's size and high level of luxury.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade is available in six trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, and V-Series. Each is available to order in standard- or extended-wheelbase (ESV) form with either two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The lone exception is the Escalade V, which is only available with 4WD. For 2023, Escalade prices range from the low $80,000s to mid-$150,000s, including the destination charge to ship the SUV from the factory in Arlington, Texas, to your local dealership.
For this review, Cadillac provided me with a 2023 Escalade V, which I evaluated in the Seattle area. Painted Argent Silver Metallic, the test vehicle had the optional Super Cruise hands-free driving-assist system, a console refrigerator/freezer, and a credit for the missing second-row express-up window control. The total manufacturer's suggested retail price was $154,765, including the $1,795 destination charge.
Perry Stern
2023 Cadillac Escalade V: The Design
Cadillac introduced a redesigned Escalade for the 2021 model year, and the Escalade V builds on that look to stand out from the rest of the lineup. A large Cadillac logo adorns the center of the expansive black mesh grille, while additional air intakes are below and alongside the vertical LED running lights, giving the Escalade V a powerful presence.
At the rear are quad exhaust pipes in black that pump out a fantastic roar, and the exclusive 22-inch alloy wheels framing the red brake calipers complete the powerful look.
Inside the cabin is a beautiful blend of technology and traditional luxury. Semi-aniline leather covers all three rows of seats. Cadillac uses it to trim almost every surface, including the doors, dashboard, and center console. Accenting the leather is a distinctive wood trim called zebrawood.
Vehicle information appears on a 38.0-inch curved OLED display with three individual screens. A 14.2-inch instrumentation display resides in front of the driver, while a 16.9-inch infotainment display lives to the right of it. Additional information and controls reside on a small display to the left of the instrumentation display. All three screens integrate well for a high-tech look. Separate climate controls below the infotainment screen provide quick and easy access without digging through a menu.
The Escalade V's front seats are soft but offer good support for excellent comfort, even during long stints on the road. The seats are heated and cooled with multiple massage functions that work very well. I used the seat massager whenever I took the Escalade V for a drive.
Perry Stern
There's plenty of storage up front with large cupholders and an additional cubby for smaller items. A slot in the console is for the wireless phone charger, an excellent design that snugly holds the phone in place. There would typically be a large covered storage area under the armrest in the center. However, a refrigerator/freezer took its place in my test vehicle. The space works for storage, but it is better for keeping beverages chilled or bringing some ice cream along for a tasty snack on the road.
The Escalade V comes with two heated bucket seats in the second row with styling similar to the seats up front. The seats can recline, and there's plenty of headroom and legroom, so full-size adults will be perfectly comfortable in these positions. With the standard rear-seat entertainment system, this may be the most sought-after spot in the vehicle.
While the third row of seats in most SUVs is often very cramped and a place to avoid, this is not the case with the Escalade V. When Cadillac introduced the refreshed Escalade in 2021, one of the most significant updates was the third-row seat redesign, bringing more legroom and headroom. The seat sits high enough that even tall passengers won't have their knees to their chests. Also, the second row folds quickly out of the way for easy access to the third row.
As a full-size SUV, the Escalade boasts a healthy-sized cargo area. Even with all seats in place, the SUV supplies 25.5 cu-ft of cargo space. With the third row folded flat, space almost triples to 72.9 cu-ft. With the second row folded, cargo space increases to 121.0 cu-ft. For easy access, the rear window opens independently of the hatch. In addition, you can open the hatch without using your hands by sweeping a foot under the rear bumper in the correct spot, identified by the Cadillac logo projected on the ground.
Perry Stern
2023 Cadillac Escalade V: The Technology
In my experience, General Motors has one of the best infotainment systems on the market, and the Cadillac Escalade V is no exception. The large display is clear and easy to read, with a configurable home screen for a quick view of the most commonly used features. Shortcuts along the left of the display that link to the home screen, audio, navigation, communications, and vehicle settings remain static even when using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Hard buttons and a selector dial located in the center console are alternative methods of accessing the infotainment system. The driver can also use voice control to complete tasks such as setting a navigation destination, adjusting the climate control, or changing the radio station. During my evaluation, there were a few instances where the system didn't understand what I had asked. Nevertheless, it delivered a correct result most of the time, even turning on the massaging seats when prompted.
The Escalade V has multiple USB ports throughout the cabin, but a hardwire connection is unnecessary for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. I connected my Samsung Galaxy S21 via Bluetooth and had Android Auto connected and functioning in less than a minute. As expected, Android Auto would activate automatically every time I started the vehicle.
One of the Escalade V's more remarkable features is Night Vision, which uses an infrared camera behind the grille to identify heat signatures beyond the reach of the headlights. The Night Vision display appears on the driver's screen and highlights pedestrians and animals up to 82 feet away with a yellow box.
I tried out the system on a poorly lit road and it worked very well, highlighting a couple walking their dog that would have been difficult to see until I got closer. That said, paying attention to the Night Vision display while driving at night can be distracting and might cause more problems than it solves.
Cadillac equipped my Escalade V with Super Cruise, the latest version of GM's hands-free driving system. Compatible on about 200,000 miles of approved U.S highways, the system allows the driver to sit back and let the technology handle steering, acceleration, and braking. The driver's eyes must remain on the road, verified by a driver-facing camera on the dashboard. After setting the speed and distance like typical adaptive cruise control, a green light appears on the top of the steering wheel, indicating that Super Cruise is operating correctly and that it is safe to let go of the wheel.
Perhaps one of the best hands-free systems on the market, Super Cruise kept the Escalade in the center of the lane without weaving back and forth and provided a confidence-inspiring ride, even on a busy highway. This latest version of Super Cruise will even pass slower cars automatically when the driver signals a lane change, checking for adequate space and clearance and changing lanes entirely on its own. It is a pretty cool trick, if a little unnerving.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with a four-star rating on the frontal crash test, a five-star rating on the side crash test, and a three-star rating for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has yet to issue safety ratings for the 2023 Escalade.
Perry Stern
2023 Cadillac Escalade V: The Drive
Powering the 2023 Cadillac Escalade V is a hand-built, supercharged, and intercooled 6.2-liter V8 engine that puts out a massive 682 horsepower and 635 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to a full-time 4WD system via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Torque splits between the front and rear depending on the driving conditions, while the standard electronic limited-slip differential adds additional stability, especially in slick conditions.
While it may have a curb weight of 6,217 pounds and the aerodynamics of a brick with that big supercharged V8 under the hood, the Escalade V launches like it's been stung in the backside. Mashing down on the accelerator pedal brings on the whole experience of being shoved back in the seat while the front end lifts, all accompanied by a roaring exhaust note that sounds like it's coming from a muscle car, not a luxury SUV. GM claims the Escalade V will reach 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, and I have no reason to argue that figure.
Moving that much mass at speed takes a lot of energy, which in turn requires a lot of fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the Escalade V at 13 mpg. During my time with this powerful SUV, the trip computer never indicated above 10.9 mpg during city and highway driving, although I admit to having a rather heavy right foot.
Even with all that power and the sport-tuned suspension, this is still an Escalade. That's a good thing. The ride is comfortable and smooth, on par with the nicest luxury sedans. With a spacious interior, massaging seats, and an excellent audio system, the Escalade is a superb road trip vehicle, assuming you have a large bank account to cover the fuel bill.
Every Escalade is a good cruiser, but you buy the Escalade V for its extreme performance and outrageous power. Aiding the performance is the Escalade V's Air Ride adaptive suspension, which features uniquely tuned rear air springs with software calibrated explicitly for this powerful SUV.
To get the most performance out of the Escalade V, I selected the V button in the center console to engage V-Driving Mode. Activating V-Driving Mode sets the steering, shifting, brakes, and the 4WD system for the highest performance while the suspension lowers. Adding to the overall effect, active exhaust valves open for an even angrier-sounding note.
The steering provides good feedback, and the big brakes (six-piston Brembos in front) do an excellent job of bringing the speed down, which is not easy for a vehicle of this size. The Escalade V holds its own to a point on a twisty road, but it is simply too big and heavy to deliver any actual sporty driving. Even with performance tires and a tuned suspension, eventually, physics wins.
One of my favorite tricks with the Escalade V is using the remote engine-start system. With a simple button press, the big Cadillac awakens with a tremendous throaty roar that immediately turns heads. While it sounds good in the cabin, it's even better from outside. It's certainly an excellent way to meet the neighbors.
Perry Stern
Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade V a Good SUV?
The Cadillac Escalade has its merits, bringing high levels of luxury and technology to a vehicle with all the attributes of a full-size SUV, including a spacious cabin, plenty of cargo space, all-weather capability, and strong towing power. With the latest advanced driver-assist systems and Super Cruise hands-free driving, the Escalade makes an excellent choice for everyday driving or distant adventures.
For those who want the sound and performance of a muscle car without giving up any of the Escalade's niceties, the Escalade V is the ultimate choice. However, it comes at a cost. After all, an Escalade V is about $40,000 more than the already rich Escalade Sport Platinum — the next-highest trim level — and fuel economy is embarrassingly abysmal.
Nevertheless, while it may not be the logical choice for a full-size luxury SUV, the Escalade V adds excitement and enjoyment to the daily drive that certain drivers crave. The thought of the Escalade V's extreme acceleration and roaring exhaust still makes me smile.
