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2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review
Price Range: $21,999 - $43,990
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2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Last year's dual-screen rear entertainment system has been discontinued
- Part of the fourth Escalade generation introduced for 2015
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Wisconsin
$277/mo for Escalade ESV Base
Escalade ESV Base
vs
$223/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average
#15 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
$851/yr
vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
1.65x/yr
vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
24.4%
vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal
Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
My dream vehicle!
5 out of 5 starsCindy W., 01/28/2020
2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
If you're looking for a great ride, a ton of bells and whistles and a stylish vehicle, you're going to love owning an Escalade. This SUV has everything, hiding spots for your belongings, USB ports everywhere, 120v plugin, a ton of Bose speakers and so much more.
The camera system is amazing! When I flip up my rear view mirror I see traffic behind me. When I pull into my garage I … still get the 360 view to make sure that I'm over enough and in far enough.
My only issue, and this is a me issue is that this is sooo much bigger than the Tahoe I came from. This one is a beast ;o) so I'm having problems pulling into parking spots still, but with time, I'm sure that I'll nail it.
Stay Away, Transmission complete garbage
1 out of 5 starsbbtx1987, 10/18/2019
2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)
We bought our 2016 Escalade ESV new 3.5 years ago and have been PLAGUED with issues. Drove it off the lot and brought it back within 3 weeks complaining of rough transmission shifting at low speeds, steering wheel vibrations and a whining noise at high speeds. Car always 'within spec' so nothing the dealer could do. If we would of just returned the dang thing. Since then, we've had the … car in over 12 times complaining about the transmission alone. I've also had to have the rear HVAC controls replaced twice for controls not responding and rear seat warmers turning on by themselves, drivers seat replaced for failing controls, steering week column replaced, rear lift gate motor replaced as it died, the battery died and stranded me, rear shocks leaking and replaced at 33k miles, wood paneling replaced from bending out of place, lane assist recalibrated.... And the kicker... all those times I complained about the transmission, I had GUNK in the transmission fluid at 33k miles - that needed replaced. Now we are ditching this hunk of junk for something more reliable given we believe the transmission is faulty and irreversibly damage given we've been complaining since we drove the car off the lot.
DO NOT WASTE YOU MONEY, we are pissed at the quality of this crap GM product with how much we spent. We filed a complaint with GM and they just wanted to 'assist us with getting it fixed with the dealer.' Thanks, but no thanks. I can schedule taking my car into the dealer for the 20+ time on my own, as I have for the entire 3.5 years we've owned the thing. Worst car I've ever owned - never had this many issues on my other cars combined!
GM reliability destroying once great Escalade
2 out of 5 starsAdam S, 05/13/2019
2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)
Bought a certified 2016 Escalade ESV because we just had our 3rd kid and needed something with extra room for 3 car seats and 2 strollers.
Traded in my 2013 Infiniti JX35 with 90k trouble free miles. Loved that SUV, but too small for my needs.
Day 1 of owning Escalade heard tranny slipping and truck bangs and thumps with every shift. Dealer replaced tranny fluid and that made a huge … difference.
Took back possession of vehicle and right away, heard an engine ticking. Took it back and needed a new belt.
Now when I put truck into AUTO from 2WD in rain and snow it sounds like the front differential(?) is slipping. Truck sounds rough, feels like crap and I’m trying to get another appointment with the dealer.
These trucks looks gorgeous, don’t get me wrong and I love the Kona leather interior with the Captains seats. It’s comfortable and fast, but the reliability is so bad that after 3 months I can comfortably say I won’t buy Cadillac again. Also the dealer experience has been less than stellar, but I realize that depends on individual dealerships.
I wish Lexus or Infiniti would build an XL Luxury SUV. With as many Escalades and Suburbans on the road, I have to assume there’s a solid business case.
In either case, check out the Navigator or Expedition, because GM has self destructed with their horrendous reliability. But if you must get GM, please get an extended warranty. Cadillac certified warranty is crap. My Fidelity warranty has covered more than $3,700 worth of fixes that Cadillac wouldn’t cover.
Last Cadillac I will own
1 out of 5 stars22jrm, 06/16/2016
2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)
Purchased a $90,000 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV only to find engine coolant on garage floor. Ended up finding out engine was sent out of the factory with bad left engine head. Ended up with motor of the Brand new engine stripped down to motor block in small town GM shop with parts laying all around to be fixed. Asked Cadillac to exchange vehicle since I will never trust this engine and … didn't not purchase used or refurbished and told warranty fixed it and that is all they will do. So I spent all this money to have a dependable family vehicle thinking I had the best customer support since it was Cadillac. I was wrong.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV, so we've included reviews for other years of the Escalade ESV since its last redesign.
2020 Escalade ESV Highlights
Base
| Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $78,195 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $277/month |
| Seating | 7 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 39.3 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
| Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Escalade ESV models:
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Displays a camera view in the rearview mirror. You can still see out, even with a full load of cargo.
- OnStar
- Provides automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance and remote door unlocking.
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Modifies your set speed to account for the varying speed of traffic, then resumes when the road is clear.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- 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 Rollover20.4%
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