2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV
MSRP range: $79,295 - $107,595
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review
byMichael Cantu, Correspondent
Correspondent
Michael Cantu became an automotive enthusiast at an early age as one of those kids who could name just about every car on the road. After flipping cars for fun and dabbling in auto sales, Michael moved to Los Angeles to pursue his automotive dreams.Pros
- An extensive suite of standard and optional driver safety aids
- Optional diesel engine is a class-exclusive
- Interior design is among the best in the class
Cons
- Lacks off-road prowess of some rivals
- Large footprint makes it difficult to park
- Fuel economy with the standard V8 engine
What's new
- Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist are standard
- Adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking are standard on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims
- Touring package with adaptive air suspension, soft-close doors and illuminated doorsills
- Other minor changes to feature availability
- Part of the fifth Escalade generation introduced for 2021
The Escalade's size, luxury and power have made it a popular choice for people looking for a large and capable premium SUV for nearly 25 years. Cadillac's flagship SUV is versatile enough to haul a large family around in the lap of luxury while having the capability to tow a heavy load (up to 8,000 pounds). The 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV is longer than the regular Escalade. Its extra 15.1 inches of length gives it 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row versus the regular Escalade's 25.5 cubic feet. It also has a little more legroom for third-row passengers.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Premium 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 $5.33 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$410/mo
Escalade ESV Premium Luxury
vs
$335/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Cadillac redesigned the Escalade lineup for the 2021 model year. Cadillac packed it with loads of tech and advanced driver aids and a smoother-riding independent rear suspension that helped to boost passenger and cargo space. For 2022, Cadillac added more standard advanced driver aids and a new Touring package. Premium Luxury and Sport trims now come with adaptive cruise control, upgraded automatic emergency braking and rear automatic braking.
The Escalade ESV is a compelling choice for a large and powerful premium SUV, but it's not alone in the large luxury SUV segment. Its direct rival, the Lincoln Navigator L, is highly rated and was updated for 2022. Jeep is also about to launch an extended-length version of its new Grand Wagoneer for the 2023 model year. But if you're looking for a large, high-tech luxury SUV with a commanding presence that packs a large V8 or turbodiesel engine, the Escalade ESV should be at the top of your list.
Which Escalade ESV does Edmunds recommend?
If you don't want to spend six figures on the top Platinum trims, we recommend opting for the Premium Luxury trim. Besides what the base Luxury trim has, the Premium Luxury adds a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, real leather seating and several advanced driver aids. More important, it opens up the availability of several stand-alone options and packages including the Performance package and the 36-speaker AKG Studio audio system.
Cadillac Escalade ESV models
The 2022 Escalade ESV is a large three-row luxury SUV that comes in five trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum. The Escalade ESV seats up to eight with the optional second-row bench seat. The standard captain's chairs drop the count to seven.
Compare dealer price quotes
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Luxury
6.2L 8cyl 10A
Edmunds suggests you pay$83,863
1 for sale in 20147
Sport
6.2L 8cyl 10A
Edmunds suggests you pay$95,373
1 for sale in 20147
Sport Platinum
6.2L 8cyl 10A
Edmunds suggests you pay$109,929
1 for sale in 20147
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $80,990
- MPG & Fuel
- 14 City / 19 Hwy / 16 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 28.3 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 7 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 10-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- V8 cylinder
- Horsepower: 420 hp @ 5600 rpm
- Torque: 460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 227 in. / Height: 76.4 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 81.1 in.
- Curb Weight: 5785 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 41.5 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Escalade ESV safety features:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Maintains a driver-set distance between the Escalade and the car in front.
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle.
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot.
Cadillac Escalade ESV vs. the competition
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2022 Lincoln Navigator
Cadillac Escalade ESV vs. Lincoln Navigator
The Navigator is a longtime Escalade rival and a highly rated one as well. The Navigator L model is the long-wheelbase version that directly competes with the Escalade ESV. Its turbocharged V6 is more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the Escalade's V8. The Escalade sports larger and more impressive displays, but the Navigator comes standard with more advanced driver aids and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. Navigators can tow more weight, but the Escalade offers more cargo space. Since the Navigator L model starts in the midlevel Reserve trim, it has a higher starting price than the Cadillac.
Cadillac Escalade ESV vs. BMW X7
The BMW X7 seats up to seven people, but it's a smaller luxury SUV without a long-wheelbase version, so it naturally has less passenger and cargo room than the Escalade ESV. Its base turbocharged inline-six is less powerful and more fuel-efficient than the Cadillac's standard V8, but it accelerates just as fast. The BMW can tow almost as much as the Escalade and comes in an M50i version that packs more power than the Escalade and costs about the same as its top trim. When it comes to handling and comfort, the all-wheel-drive-only BMW has the advantage.
Cadillac Escalade ESV vs. Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
As of this writing, the GLS is Edmunds' highest-rated large luxury SUV. The Mercedes drives better and is more comfortable than the Escalade. It also offers superior build quality and boasts one of the best infotainment systems in the segment. However, like the BMW X7, the Mercedes GLS is smaller and seats fewer passengers than the Escalade. The GLS 580 model is more powerful than the Escalade, though, and it's priced similar to the Cadillac's top trims.
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FAQ
Is the Cadillac Escalade ESV a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 Escalade ESV both on the road and at the track. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Escalade ESV has 41.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Cadillac Escalade ESV. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV:
- Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist are standard
- Adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking are standard on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims
- Touring package with adaptive air suspension, soft-close doors and illuminated doorsills
- Other minor changes to feature availability
- Part of the fifth Escalade generation introduced for 2021
Is the Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
To determine whether the Cadillac Escalade ESV is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Escalade ESV. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Escalade ESV's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 Escalade ESV is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The least-expensive 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV is the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $79,295.
Other versions include:
- Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $79,295
- Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $82,295
- Premium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $87,895
- Sport 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $90,595
- Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $90,895
- Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $93,595
- Sport Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $104,595
- Premium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $104,595
- Premium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $107,595
- Sport Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $107,595
What are the different models of Cadillac Escalade ESV?
If you're interested in the Cadillac Escalade ESV, the next question is, which Escalade ESV model is right for you? Escalade ESV variants include Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Premium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A), and Sport 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A). For a full list of Escalade ESV models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
