2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Radiant Red ($122 color option)
2023 Cadillac Escalade 4WD V-Series
Class: Luxury large SUV
Color: Radiant red jacket
| Corporate Governance Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Rooms and Facilities | ONE |
| Power and performance | ONE- |
| match and finish | ONE |
| energy saving | D. |
| Value | OLD |
| Scores in the report card are taken from the consensus of the test driver’s assessments. All classes are compared to other vehicles in the same class. The value type is for the specific trim level evaluated and may not reflect the Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire product line. | |
| Comfortable Big & Tall | |
| Big guy | ONE |
| Tall guy | ONE |
| The Big & Tall comfort rating is for the front seats only. The “Big” rating is based on a male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, the “Tall” rating is based on a 6’6″ tall male tester. | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine Specifications | 682 hp, 6.2 liters |
| Engine type | turbocharger V8 |
| Transmission process | 10-speed automatic transmission |
| wheel drive | 4WD |
Miles Driven: 128
Observed fuel economy: 12.8 mpg
Driving mix: 70% city, 30% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 11/16/13 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel Type: premium gas
Snow performance: do not apply
Cost: $149,195 (excluding $1,795 destination fee)
Options on test vehicle: Super Cruise ($2,500), remote fridge ($700), special paint ($1225), rear window deceleration credit ($50)
Like a test: $155,365
Quick hits:
Wonderful thing: Impressive combination of power and sophistication
Good: Same luxury accommodation and spacious cabin as the “standard” Escalade
What’s not so good: High price, dismal fuel economy
Tom calls for:
Ask the question: Is too much Cadillac Escalade-V a good thing? Let me tell you a story…
On special occasions, my mother will make plum dumplings for Sunday breakfast, which my sister and I cherish very much. I recall one Sunday when we were treated to the aforementioned dumpling, my sister, then about three years old, expressing—loudly—concerned about the amount of sugar my father had sprinkled for breakfast. mine. My father quickly agreed to her request to buy more sugar, partly because we had to go to church, and partly because her moans were extremely annoying. When Dad carefully added a modest amount of sugar to my siblings’ plum dumplings, he asked, “Does it taste better?” Without a word, my sister took the spoon, dug deep into the sugar bowl, took a round, healthy spoonful of sugar and poured it all into the center of her plate. “Much better,” she replied.
Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
Here’s the deal, the plum dumplings are pretty sweet no sprinkles. Looking back at it with an adult’s eyes, I’m pretty sure the added sugar didn’t do much to enhance the dumping experience, although as a kid, there really wasn’t too much sugar in the sand. And that’s how I feel about the Escalade-V. It’s a good place to start, I’m not sure pouring sugar — or horsepower — into it will make it any better.
Here, I have to admit that, fuel economy and price aside, the ‘V doesn’t compromise at all in terms of comfort or convenience to be a super Escalade, which can save a bit. delicate when traveling on the highway. But oh, that price…
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Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
Escalade 2023 is the Consumer Guide to Best Buys, this because it works great for most things. But even a base Escalade is an expensive proposition.
For 2023, the Escalade lineup starts with the Luxury trim level ($82,985 including destination) and goes up in price and content through Luxury Premium ($91,985), Sport ( $94,785), Luxury Platinum ($109,285) and Sports Platinum ($109,285). Each trim level is available in long-wheelbase ESV form, which adds $3000 to the bottom line. Also available on the lineup is the 4WD, which also adds $3000 to the bottom line.
First Look: Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
New to the big caddy for 2023 is the Escalade-V. The most aggressive Escalades has a host of performance upgrades and unique trims, and starts at $152,885. The ‘V comes with 4WD as standard and can be had on standard length or ESV models.
In addition to the unique interior and exterior trim—which in this editor’s eyes looks great—the big story of the Escalade-V lies beneath the hood. Replacing the standard — and very powerful — 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, is a turbocharged version of the engine, good for a rated power output of 682 hp. Like the “basic” engine, the turbocharged engine pairs exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Note that a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel is also available for non-V Escalades. The smooth diesel is a $1600 option and delivers 22 MPG combined by EPA estimates.
Standard on the ‘V and available on several other Escalade trim levels are Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension. While shared with the smaller Escalades, both systems have been specifically tuned for the sportier duty of the ‘V.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week driving a standard 2023 wheelbase Escalade-V in Radiant Red equipped with General Motors’ Super Cruise semi-autonomous steering system and a dashboard refrigerator. All told, our test truck cost $155,365. That’s a lot of extra sugar.
Like every current-generation Escalade we’ve reviewed at the Consumer Guide, the cabin impresses immediately. The ‘V is as spacious as any Escalade, very spacious, so to speak. The interior materials and build quality seem to be appreciated, and the glossy black border is accented with a measure dedicated to the bright metallic work being intelligently luxurious. Pretty sweet.
When the current generation Escalade was introduced for the 2021 model year, Cadillac heavily outfitted the SUV’s curved 38-inch “OLED” (organic LED) touchscreen. While the display isn’t the technological marvel it’s made of, it makes for an easy-to-use and functional system interface. The screen responds quickly to touch inputs, the colors are bright and elegant—and don’t smudge in direct light—and the main controls are intuitive and easy to use.
An additional interior point: one of our editors noted that the cabin smells good. We’ll credit the leather bands for being amazing.
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Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
On the road, the Escalade-V feels pretty much like any other Escalade, although it accelerates a lot faster. We had no problem with Cadillac’s 4.4-second 0-60 estimate for the ‘V. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if that number were a bit conservative. More important than the raw sum of all that thrust is the truck’s ability to deliver uninterrupted and smooth power. In casual driving, the Escalade V is one of the most refined vehicles we’ve tested here at the Consumer Guide. However, hit the gas and the three-ton Cadillac darted forward like velvet. The transmission is the standard for smooth shifting and is always ready to downshift in time to overtake and merge.
However, this author found the tuned exhaust note to be obnoxious. And the hum of the starter throttle is an unnecessary nod to stop-light racers and Pep Boys performance parts shoppers. Fortunately, the exhaust noise disappears on the highway and during steady travel.
As for handling, our standard wheelbase test truck boasts a ride that exceeds expectations for such a mass vehicle. While we’re hesitant to say any Escalade handles well, he can be Caddy’s big man, he can hustle enthusiastically, and it’s really fun to drive through. traffic.
We saw 12.8 mpg during our cold weather assessment. This number is in line with the EPA’s combined estimates and includes some cold weather inactivity. Yes, it’s a pretty bad ride, but it’s almost a miracle given the power and weight of the Escalade-V. Note that you’ll be filling your ‘Slade’ with premium fuel, which should make for some really enticing refueling tabs.
First turn: Cadillac Escalade 2021
Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
A few more things are worth noting and these pretty much apply to all Escalades. We love the huge sunroof that opens above the first two rows of seats. We also appreciate the sturdy, leather-wrapped steering wheel, which feels great when doing sports-oriented things. Dark wooden cabin decor elements look especially luxurious and rich. And — and we’ve mentioned this before — the AKG sound system is surprisingly good — at least when it comes to playback of the mid-century jazz this author loves so much. Jeep’s McIntosh systems are good, but we’ll give Caddy a nod here. And while we’re talking about sound, by Lincoln The disclosure system deserves an honorable mention.
We slightly doubt that adding the V suffix to your big Cadillac will give you $45,000 worth of extra happiness on the Escalade. But it can. For shoppers who really want something even more exclusive than the standard Escalade, the Escalade-V might be the sweeter, better option you’ve been looking for. Just remember, all that added sugar is expensive.
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Cadillac Escalade-V 2023
Cadillac Escalade-V showroom 2023
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