2021 Cadillac Escalade Review
2021 Cadillac Escalade Review
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The new Cadillac Escalade is a step up from its dated predecessor in just about every way without straying too far from its formula. The exterior design is still sharp and attention-grabbing, and the interior offers plenty of cargo space. Some of the tech features fall short of those found in some rival SUVs, but overall the new Escalade is a solid pick.
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2021 Cadillac Escalade Review
byReese Counts
Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
- Cool-looking digital cockpit interface
- One of the roomiest cabins in the class
- Huge rear cargo space and excellent in-cabin storage
Cons
- Climate controls are difficult to use at night
- Rear cabin lags class leaders in interior quality
- Poor fuel economy from standard V8 engine
What's new
- Fully redesigned for 2021
- More interior space, especially for rear passengers
- Part of the fifth Escalade generation introduced for 2021
Overview
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is fully redesigned with an array of changes. For one, it's longer than the previous Escalade and has more passenger room (particularly for the second- and third-row occupants) and cargo space. It also gets new technology features, including Cadillac's Super Cruise, which is one of the best semi-automated driving systems around, and a sharp-looking display that spans most of the dashboard.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$322/mo for Escalade Luxury
Escalade Luxury
vs
$254/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Underneath, there's a new independent rear suspension that provides a smoother ride than the previous solid-axle design. The Escalade's standard 6.2-liter V8 is pretty much a carryover, but there is a newly available turbocharged diesel V6 engine, which could be of benefit if you're planning on doing a lot of towing with your Escalade.
Overall, we're pleased with the new Escalade. It's worth checking out alongside rival large SUVs such as the Lincoln Navigator and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Check out our Expert Rating for more of our in-depth analysis on the 2021 Escalade.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
8.0
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The new Cadillac Escalade is a step up from its dated predecessor in just about every way without straying too far from its formula. The exterior design is still sharp and attention-grabbing, and the interior offers plenty of cargo space. Some of the tech features fall short of those found in some rival SUVs, but overall the new Escalade is a solid pick.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
8.0/10
How does the Escalade drive? Cadillac has done a fine job hiding just how big and heavy the Escalade really is. The Escalade's 6.2-liter V8 might not send it to 60 mph (6.7 seconds) as quickly as some rival SUVs, but it's potent enough. On-ramps and highway passing are no issue, and the V8 sounds pretty good too. The transmission occasionally has some abrupt shifts, and we wish the shift paddles worked in Drive and not just Low, but it's mostly smooth and smart enough to be in the right gear most of the time.
We wouldn't call the Escalade sporty, but it's smooth and composed enough around turns. The steering is light and direct, so parking or driving down winding roads doesn't feel like a chore.
We wouldn't call the Escalade sporty, but it's smooth and composed enough around turns. The steering is light and direct, so parking or driving down winding roads doesn't feel like a chore.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Escalade? We don't think the Escalade's ride is quite as refined as that of class leaders such as the Mercedes GLS, but it's certainly comfortable enough most of the time. The seats, too, aren't quite as relaxing as those of the class leaders, but you won't be complaining after hundreds of miles behind the wheel. It's generally pretty quiet too.
The climate control system keeps the temperature even, but overall it falls short of the best of the best. There isn't enough adjustment in the vents, and we had to adjust the automatic temperature frequently. Heated seats allow finer control of the zones, which is great.
The climate control system keeps the temperature even, but overall it falls short of the best of the best. There isn't enough adjustment in the vents, and we had to adjust the automatic temperature frequently. Heated seats allow finer control of the zones, which is great.
Interior
8.0/10
How’s the interior? As you might expect, the Escalade's interior is vast and spacious. All three rows are large enough for adults, and the wide doors and accessible grab handles make getting in and out simple if a bit of a climb. The seating position is high and truck-like, which is either good or bad depending on your preference. Outward visibility isn't great, but the exterior camera system makes parking relatively easy.
Most of the controls are easy to understand, but some are ill placed and hard to see. The climate control settings are difficult to see at night because the toggles that control things aren't illuminated, and we frequently hit the wrong button trying to adjust the temperature.
Most of the controls are easy to understand, but some are ill placed and hard to see. The climate control settings are difficult to see at night because the toggles that control things aren't illuminated, and we frequently hit the wrong button trying to adjust the temperature.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? The Escalade offers some of the latest and greatest tech General Motors has to offer. Unfortunately, a lot of it is optional. The adaptive cruise and lane-keeping assist systems make driving such a large SUV easier, but some things, such as the night-vision camera, seem more like a novelty.
The Escalade features a sleek-looking digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. There's a decent level of customization, and the Escalade's standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean you can easily run music or podcasts straight from native apps on your phone. There's one wireless charging pad as well as USB-C ports for every row, so everyone has charging options.
The Escalade features a sleek-looking digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. There's a decent level of customization, and the Escalade's standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean you can easily run music or podcasts straight from native apps on your phone. There's one wireless charging pad as well as USB-C ports for every row, so everyone has charging options.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? The Escalade's cargo area is massive. The space is wide and open, and while the liftover is on the high side, the adaptive air suspension can lower when the Escalade is parked to help get stuff inside. Storage for small items is good, too, with plenty of pockets and bins for things such as sunglasses and hand sanitizer bottles. There's an optional chilled center console. The Escalade's tow rating is 8,200 pounds in the right configuration and when properly equipped — that's certainly sufficient for a small or medium-size trailer.
Installing a child seat in the rear should be relatively simple. The doors open wide, the anchors are reasonably accessible, and there's plenty of space for a rear-facing seat. The high seats may make getting in a bit of a climb.
Installing a child seat in the rear should be relatively simple. The doors open wide, the anchors are reasonably accessible, and there's plenty of space for a rear-facing seat. The high seats may make getting in a bit of a climb.
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 16 mpg combined with the 6.2-liter V8 and 4WD. That's not so great even for a large SUV. We saw 17.5 mpg during our time testing an Escalade with the V8 and 4WD, so at least you can expect to get the EPA's numbers or a little better. Choose the diesel if you want better fuel economy — it tops out at 23 mpg combined.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Escalade a good value? The Escalade looks and feels pretty nice up front, though we don't think the interior feels quite as premium as the cabins of the best luxury SUVs, especially in the back two rows. The design is clean, and the leather feels great. The dash-spanning digital display looks impressive too. Some of the trim and buttons look a little cheap, but overall it's a fairly nice place to spend your commute if you're the one driving.
Pricing lines up right with the competition. Cadillac's four-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranties are average for the class. You also get six years of roadside assistance, but Cadillac only includes a year of scheduled maintenance.
Pricing lines up right with the competition. Cadillac's four-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranties are average for the class. You also get six years of roadside assistance, but Cadillac only includes a year of scheduled maintenance.
Wildcard
8.5/10
Nothing this big and heavy can be considered fun to drive in a sporty sort of way, but there's something enjoyable about cruising around in a big, comfy V8-powered SUV. The stylish interior design makes it feel a cut above most other SUVs. The sharp exterior angles and formidable size are sure to attract attention, but that's always been part of the appeal of driving an Escalade.
Which Escalade does Edmunds recommend?
The base Luxury trim comes well equipped, but we suggest going for the midgrade Escalade Premium Luxury model. In addition to a few more standard features, it offers a wider array of optional features than the base Luxury model, including Super Cruise and an adaptive air suspension.
2021 Cadillac Escalade models
The 2021 Escalade is a three-row large luxury SUV that comes in five trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum. The Escalade seats up to eight with the second-row bench seat. The optional captain's chairs drop the count to seven.
All Escalades come standard with a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is optional. Also optional is a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft). Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Luxury
Standard feature highlights include:
- Full leather seating
- A dash-spanning 16.9-inch infotainment screen and a 14.2-inch instrument cluster
- Keyless and ignition with remote start
- Heated front and rear outboard seats
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Tri-zone climate control
- A 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system
- Front and rear parking sensors
Premium Luxury
Includes those features and opens up the options list with available features such as:
- Driver Assist Tech package
- Adaptive cruise control can speed up and slow down the vehicle with traffic
- Soft-close doors that catch the doors as they're being closed and gently pull them shut
- Performance package
- Revised suspension
- Trailer hitch assist that helps when lining up a trailer
- Trailer brake controller that helps control a trailer when on the road
- A Heavy-Duty Trailering package
- Rear-seat entertainment system
- Adaptive air suspension
- Cadillac's Super Cruise semi-automated driving system
Premium Luxury Platinum
Comes with most options as standard equipment but adds:
- Massaging front seats
- Leather-wrapped instrument panel, console and upper door panels
The Sport and Sport Platinum trims' features and options generally mirror those on the Escalade Premium Luxury and Premium Luxury Platinum, respectively, with visual touches such as wheels and gloss-black trim separating the models.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Average
#8 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Cadillac Escalade from 2008-2022.$689/yr
vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.31x/yr
vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).24.4%
vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Cadillac Escalade.
5 star(75%)
4 star(25%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
4 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Car then Major Engine Failure!
David Holihan, 12/28/2021
2021 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
First off the car: We ordered it from scratch, waited six months and have been rewarded with a wonderful car. We love it. Beautiful in every way, quiet, smooth, powerful, well thought out, I could go on and on. The super cruise control is just that. IT WORKS! It makes long distance driving so much more relaxing. The night vision option works very well and safely. We are delighted … with the vehicle
NOW, our review of the engine: Our first real road trip in our beautiful new Escalade ended 1,500 miles away from home with bent valve lifters and broken valves on 10/4/2021 just shy of 6,000 miles: a problem that Cadillac and its dealers knew all about with GM's 420 hp V-8 gas engines. Why didn't WE know about it? We were stuck in Bangor, Maine with a dealership with no loaners to offer and no ability to reliably estimate an ETR ("Maybe a couple of weeks"). It was the peak of this past fall's peak leaf season so no rental cars and no hotel rooms were available. And rates were out of site if they were available. So we flew home to Orlando and rented a car for over a week then flew back to Bangor when the Escalade car was ready. This was much cheaper than the over-priced hotel rooms (even if we could find one). Of course the repairs were totally covered by warranty; but now we're waiting to see if Cadillac will refund the $5,000 it all cost us out of pocket. Our return trip home was uneventful as far as the V-8 goes - the whole vehicle continues to be flawless to this day (12/28/2021)
5 out of 5 stars
Great Vehicle
TWS, 01/22/2022
2021 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
The Cadillac escalade is everything I thought it would be I’m extremely pleased with it one of the best vehicles I have ever owned.
5 out of 5 stars
Great luxery suv for family’s
Nate, 11/21/2022
2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
We love our we have had it for about a year now and coming from a 2019 Escalade premium luxery it was a huge improvement. The cargo space and the tech is amazing. We got the sport with super cruise and it is great on the highway. It rides like a dream as well. The one thing that we don’t like since we have two little girls and a preteen boy that has an iPad and a phone we never use the … rear seat entertainment screens since they are just hard to work with younger kids so if you have younger kids don’t get the rear screens it is not worth the extra 1500$. Overall great car
5 out of 5 stars
Favorite SUV
ELB, 10/13/2022
2021 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
First SUV ever owned. Have been very pleased with the vehicle and will get another SUV when my lease expires.
2021 Cadillac Escalade videos
2021 Cadillac Escalade Review — All-New SUV | Interior, Price, & More
Is the all-new 2021 Escalade the best luxury SUV that money can buy? Carlos Lago takes an in-depth look at Cadillac's flagship SUV. Find out how the Cadillac Escalade stacks up against the Lincoln Navigator, and get a look at some of the new impressive tech and features in this large… luxury SUV.
2021 Escalade Highlights
Luxury
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $76,195 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $322/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Escalade models:
- Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
- Automatically applies the brakes when the vehicle determines a collision is imminent.
- Automatic Seat-Belt Tightening
- Secures passengers by automatically tightening their seat belts during emergency braking.
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Illuminates a light in the sideview mirrors when sensors see a vehicle in the Escalade's blind spots.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover21.2%
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