2018 Cadillac Escalade Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review

- Strong V8 engine is never at a loss for power
- Capable of towing up to 8,300 pounds
- Cabin remains quiet regardless of road conditions
- Less refined ride and seat comfort than other luxury SUVs
- Low handling limits and heavy steering
- High, uneven cargo floor makes loading objects difficult
What’s new
Vehicle overview
Cadillac bases its 2018 Escalade on General Motors' full-size SUV platform that underpins the Tahoe and Yukon twins. The main difference is that everything on the Escalade is "more." There's more power, more brash styling, more standard features, even more features that are optional. All of this gives the Escalade true luxury SUV cred.
The inherent attributes of its traditional SUV design are all here, too. On the plus side, the Escalade can tow up to 8,300 pounds, which is more than most other luxury crossover SUVs. But its solid rear-axle suspension and body-on-frame construction also result in a less than ideal ride quality and a compromised cargo area. Overall, we think the 2018 Escalade is worth a look, but make sure to also check out this year's more refined Lincoln Navigator.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.3 / 10Trim tested
Scorecard
Overall | 7.3 / 10 |
Driving | 8.0 |
Comfort | 7.0 |
Interior | 7.0 |
Utility | 5.0 |
Driving
8.0Acceleration
8.5Braking
7.0Steering
7.0Handling
6.5Drivability
8.0Off-road
7.5Comfort
7.0Seat comfort
6.0Ride comfort
6.0Noise & vibration
8.0Climate control
Interior
7.0Ease of use
6.0Getting in/getting out
8.5Driving position
Roominess
7.0Visibility
8.0Quality
5.5Utility
5.0Small-item storage
Cargo space
Child safety seat accommodation
Towing
8.0Technology
Audio & navigation
Smartphone integration
Driver aids
Voice control
Which Escalade does Edmunds recommend?
2018 Cadillac Escalade models
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is a full-size, body-on-frame luxury SUV available in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum. The base trim comes with a dizzying array of equipment, but the Premium Luxury and Platinum take this big, plush American machine to yet another level. All Escalade models are equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine (420 horsepower, 460 pound-feet of torque) and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional.
The base trim is generously appointed inside and out. Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking assist, a hands-free power liftgate, remote start, three-zone automatic climate control, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory settings, heated rear seats and split power-folding third-row seats.
Standard electronic features include the CUE infotainment interface (with an 8-inch touchscreen), OnStar (with 4G in-vehicle Wi-Fi), a surround-view parking camera system, a customizable gauge cluster display, a navigation system, five USB ports, a wireless device charging pad and a Bose 16-speaker audio system with satellite radio.
For a few more driver aids and a bit more plush equipment, you can step up to the Luxury trim. This adds 22-inch wheels, a sunroof, power-folding second-row seats, a head-up display, a camera-based rearview mirror system (the rearview mirror is actually a screen displaying what the camera sees behind the vehicle) and the Driver Awareness package (automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking).
Our recommended trim, the Premium Luxury, adds adaptive cruise control, a rear entertainment system with a Blu-ray player and an overhead-mounted display, and a more advanced collision mitigation system with both forward and reverse automatic braking.
The most expensive (and most lavishly appointed) Escalade is the Platinum trim level. It certainly has all the bells and whistles, but you may not need all the extras it provides. The Platinum adds power-retracting side steps, upgraded power front seats (with massaging function), upgraded leather upholstery, a cooled front-seat center console and two more rear entertainment screens (mounted in the front headrests).


Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Safety
Our experts like the Escalade models:
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Displays as redundancy the rearview camera's view in the rearview mirror.
- 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
4 out of 5 stars- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 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 Rollover22.8%
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Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade Overview
The Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade is offered in the following submodels: Escalade SUV. Available styles include Premium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A), 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A), Premium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A), and 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A). Pre-owned Cadillac Escalade models are available with a 6.2 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 420 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade comes with rear wheel drive, and four wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 10-speed shiftable automatic. The Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade?
Price comparisons for Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade trim styles:
- The Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade Luxury is priced between $49,590 and$60,750 with odometer readings between 27311 and86236 miles.
- The Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade Platinum is priced between $65,990 and$66,888 with odometer readings between 32201 and55796 miles.
- The Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury is priced between $59,990 and$67,995 with odometer readings between 31996 and45402 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2018 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) 2018 Cadillac Escalade for sale near. There are currently 14 used and CPO 2018 Escalades listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $49,590 and mileage as low as 27311 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade.
Can't find a used 2018 Cadillac Escalades you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Cadillac Escalade for sale.
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Should I lease or buy a 2018 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.
Check out Cadillac lease specials
Check out Cadillac Escalade lease specials
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