Cadillac's flagship SUV enters 2015 wearing an all-new body and thoroughly reworked interior with emphasis on refinement and technology. The Escalade is now fully capable of retaining its dreamboat status for years to come.
The Escalade has been completely redesigned.
All Escalades are powered by a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. As before, rear-drive is standard, but most buyers opt for the four-wheel drive setup. The revised magnetic ride control system features Sport and Comfort modes. Interiors offer seating for eight (or seven with second-row captain's chairs, a no-cost option) and are even more luxurious than before. The third row folds completely into the floor at the touch of button.
The enormous load of standard equipment leaves no doubt about the Escalade's luxury mission. Every example gets navigation, chrome wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a Bose 16-speaker sound system, a rearview camera, parking sensors and just about everything else you would expect in a high-end Cadillac.
The trim levels have been simplified and differ mainly in safety technology:
Lacks nothing in terms of luxury and convenience, except (curiously) a sunroof.
Tacks on a slew of safety features such as an upgraded anti-theft system, blind-spot monitoring, collision alert and a driver seat that vibrates to alert you of potential hazards. You also get power-folding second row and a sunroof.
Adds even more in the way of safety: adaptive cruise control, cornering lamps and collision mitigation (front and rear) with automatic braking. A rear entertainment system is also standard.
Luxury is baked into the new Escalade's DNA, so you won't feel deprived in the least by selecting the Standard model (unless you can't live without a sunroof). Whether you should upgrade to the Luxury or Premium depends on your comfort level with piloting a vehicle of this size. The extra safety features are very reassuring, especially in urban traffic.
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