2017 Cadillac Escalade
Pros
- More than enough power from the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine
- Luxurious cabin remains pleasantly quiet in nearly any circumstance
- Optional second-row bench increases seating capacity to eight
- Impressive towing abilities that most competitors can't match
Cons
- he infotainment system can sometimes be frustrating
- Third-row seats are uncomfortable even for children
- High cargo floor makes loading more difficult
- Truck-based chassis translates into a less refined ride quality
2017 Cadillac Escalade pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
It's difficult to top the 2017 Cadillac Escalade if you're going for big and bold. This full-size SUV makes a full-size statement, from the immense grille to the massive, heavily styled bodywork. It's also packed to the rafters with a long list of comfort and convenience features that are sure to please technophiles and luxury-minded shoppers alike. A burly 6.2-liter V8 gets the Escalade moving with authority, while the truck-based chassis is capable of towing up to 8,300 pounds.
This unique mix of size, utility and style gives the Cadillac Escalade its broad appeal, and indeed this vehicle has become the face of the Cadillac brand. Even so, there are some drawbacks. Truck-based components can compromise ride quality, which is of prime importance in the luxury market. Sheer size also compromises the Escalade's maneuverability in crowded urban traffic.
Fortunately, the 2017 Escalade's positives outweigh the negatives, earning it a strong Edmunds B rating. This Cadillac compares favorably against the Lincoln Navigator and Land Rover Range Rover, but the A-rated Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and Audi Q7 represent the current standard by which large luxury SUVs are measured. For undeniable styling presence, though, the Cadillac Escalade remains in its own class, far above the rest.
Standard safety equipment for all trim levels of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control (with trailer sway control), front-seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. An airbag between the front seats offers additional protection in side-impact crashes. Also standard is a teen-driver management system, a reminder to check the backseats for child occupants before vacating the interior, front and rear parking sensors, surround-view exterior camera, and the OnStar system with automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.
Luxury and above trim levels also receive forward collision alert with automatic low-speed emergency braking, lane departure warning and intervention, a safety-alert driver seat that vibrates to warn the driver of danger, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and the new rearview mirror with its obstruction-free camera view. The adaptive cruise control system for the top trims also features automatic braking over the full range of speed, as well as automatic braking when in reverse.
In government crash tests, the Escalade was awarded five out of five stars for side-crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. In Edmunds brake testing, an Escalade with 22-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 127 feet, which is longer than competing SUVs.
Trim levels & features
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade is classified as a full-size luxury SUV with seating for seven passengers. It is available in the base trim, then moves up to the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum models. An even larger Escalade ESV extended-wheelbase model is covered in a separate review.
Standard Escalade trim includes 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beams, automatic windshield wipers, power-folding and auto-dimming outside mirrors, rocker-sill passenger steps, a hands-free, power-operated liftgate, cargo rails for the roof, a trailer hitch receiver and wiring harness, cruise control, Magnetic Ride Control suspension, keyless entry and ignition, remote ignition, front and rear parking sensors, and a system for automated parking.
Within the Escalade cabin, you’ll find three-zone automatic climate control, a customizable instrument display, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, a power-operated and heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with wood trim, heated and cooled 12-way power-adjustable front seats, driver seat memory functions, heated second-row bucket seats, a power 60/40-split folding third-row seat, and a 110-volt power outlet.
Other technology-related features include active noise cancellation, a teen-driver monitor with control over certain vehicle settings, universal garage-door opener, OnStar emergency telematics, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, surround-view outside camera system, CUE infotainment system, a navigation system with real-time traffic and voice recognition, Wi-Fi hot spot, mobile apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with CD player, satellite and HD radio, auxiliary audio input, and five USB ports.
The Luxury trim adds 22-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, sunroof, forward collision alert with low-speed crash mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, head-up instrument display, vibrating safety-alert driver seat, and power-adjustable second-row seats. A new rearview mirror system uses the rearview camera to simulate a view unobstructed by passengers or roof pillars. When the simulated view is deactivated, the mirror gives you a conventional reflection of the view to the rear.
Stepping up to the Premium Luxury trim adds adaptive cruise control, a single-screen rear-seat entertainment system with HDMI and MHL input, plus two wireless headphones. The Platinum trim includes power-retractable passenger steps, unique exterior and interior style treatments, a cooled center console bin, premium leather upholstery, 18-way power front seats with driver massage functions, dual rear entertainment screens and a faux-suede headliner.
Select features are available on supporting trims as options. A power-adjustable second-row bench seat is available for Premium and above trims, increasing seating capacity to eight.
Under the hood of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade is a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It’s matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive is standard. Four-wheel drive is available as an option, and it comes with a two-speed transfer case for low-speed mobility over off-road terrain.
In Edmunds testing, a four-wheel-drive Escalade accelerated to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, which is a quick time for a large SUV. Towing capacity is 8,300 pounds for the rear-wheel-drive Escalade and drops slightly to 8,100 pounds for the heavier four-wheel-drive model.
The EPA estimates fuel economy at 17 mpg combined (15 city/22 highway) for the rear-wheel-drive model and 17 mpg combined (15 city/20 highway) for the four-wheel-drive. These figures are about average for the class.
Driving
With a 6.2-liter V8 under the hood that delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade has no problem accelerating to highway speeds or passing slower traffic. Throttle response is immediate, and the braking performance is reassuring and predictable.
For all this, the Escalade doesn’t deliver the luxurious ride quality that we expect from this brand. Even with a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that allows the driver to tailor its performance to the driving situation, the occasional bump and thump remind you that the Escalade is derived from a truck chassis, not a car platform. Much of this lack of refinement can be attributed to the stylish 22-inch wheels, which must carry tires that feature narrow sidewalls that transmit vibration from the road into the passenger cabin.
The Escalade’s large size also is not only imposing to look at but also imposing to drive, especially in urban traffic. Thankfully, the cabin proves fairly quiet on the highway, insulating occupants from wind and road noise. In the end, there are full-size SUVs that are better to drive every day, but none approach the style statement that the Cadillac Escalade makes.
Interior
As big as the Cadillac might seem on the outside, it's surprising that the interior doesn't feel extraordinarily spacious. The first two rows of seats have an abundance of head- and legroom, yet shoulder space seems oddly limited. And as with third-row seats in all SUVs in all size categories, these are meant to be used only for children on short trips.
The Escalade's cabin features attractive, high-quality materials. This is especially true of the Platinum trim level, which upgrades to a comprehensive use of premium leather. Cadillac's CUE infotainment system is visually appealing, as are the rest of the controls on the center stack of the dash. CUE offers plenty of features to keep passengers entertained, yet the system's responses to touchscreen inputs are sometimes delayed and the menus aren't always intuitive to understand. The touch-sensitive buttons for climate control are similarly problematic.
In terms of numbers, the Escalade's cargo capacity is comparable to other large SUVs: It delivers 15.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 51.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 94.2 cubic feet behind the first row. These figures don't tell the whole story, though, because the high load floor in the back makes for a fairly strenuous loading process. Fortunately, the hands-free power liftgate can be triggered with a swipe of your foot under the rear bumper.
Consumer reviews
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See your car's valueLike its predecessors over the past 19 years, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade delivers a blend of opulence, power and status that resonates with many shoppers exploring the realm of full-size luxury SUVs. But the fact that it's become a favorite among high-profile celebrities, sports stars and business moguls doesn't detract from the Escalade's value as a capable people, cargo and trailer hauler.
Changes for 2017 include reconfigured trim levels, new 22-inch alloy wheels, a rear passenger reminder, teen-driver monitor and a parking assist system, which uses sensors to automatically steer the Escalade into either a perpendicular or parallel space. There's also a unique rearview mirror that's actually a screen for a tailgate-mounted camera, a feature that provides a much broader view behind the vehicle than a conventional mirror.
Power for the Escalade comes from a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A four-wheel-drive option includes high and low modes to cope with various road conditions and trailering requirements, as well as an auto mode for everyday driving that automatically switches from two-wheel to four-wheel propulsion.
Built on a truck chassis — shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon in standard-wheelbase form and with the Suburban and Yukon XL in the longer ESV model — the Escalade tends to be a bit harsher over bumps than some of its car-based rivals, although this is mitigated somewhat by the standard Magnetic Ride Control. But the more robust construction will appeal to buyers who intend to tow large trailers, haul a lot of cargo or take the vehicle off-road.
The Escalade might share underpinnings with its siblings from Chevy and GMC, but on the inside the Cadillac makes an entirely different statement. The class-leading interior boasts features that include heated and cooled leather seats, wood and metal trim, ambient lighting and tri-zone climate control, as well as acoustic glass and active noise cancellation for a quiet ride. In addition to a plethora of standard equipment, a wide range of available packages and accessories allow buyers to tailor the cabin to their individual requirements.
Fuel economy may not be the Escalade's strong suit, but its numbers are par for the course with this class of vehicle. Both the two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions are rated by the EPA at a combined 17 mpg (15 city/22 highway and 15 city/20 highway, respectively).
The base Escalade comes extremely well equipped, but shoppers looking for more technology and convenience features can opt for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trim levels. And the top-of-the-line Platinum model piles on even more goodies, like a refrigerated center console, massaging driver seat and exotic wood trim. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you find the 2017 Cadillac Escalade that best meets your needs.
2017 Cadillac Escalade Overview
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade is offered in the following submodels: . Available styles include Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A), Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A), Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A), Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 8A), Premium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 8A), 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 8A), Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 8A), and 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A).
What do people think of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Escalade 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Escalade.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Escalade featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Cadillac Escalade?
2017 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $90,790. The average price paid for a new 2017 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) is trending $13,247 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $13,247 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$77,543.
The average savings for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) is14.6% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2017 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2017 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $88,505. The average price paid for a new 2017 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) is trending $9,676 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $9,676 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$78,829.
The average savings for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) is10.9% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2017 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2017 Cadillac Escalades are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Cadillac Escalade for sale near. There are currently 7 new 2017 Escalades listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $83,540 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $13,247 on a used or CPO 2017 Escalade available from a dealership near you.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Cadillac Escalade?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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2017 Cadillac Escalade Information
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