The fifth generation of the legendary SUV refreshed the vehicle. But, GM didn’t deliver anything spectacular. Under the hood of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade will be the same V8 engine as before, and the tech upgrade is the best thing we got. Anyway, the vehicle remains one of the most popular full-size luxury SUVs in the US.
Speculations about further changes say that we might see the performance-oriented 2023 Cadillac Escalade V model. Don’t exclude this possibility. Lexus LX is coming with an enhanced drivetrain, that will produce nearly 500 hp. German luxury SUVs are already there. Turbocharged V8 is not a new project for General Motors, so the big rig could start the new chapter.
On the other hand, the Escalade EXT truck is not a likely option. The pickup was discontinued mostly because of sales drop. The interest in luxury trucks didn’t grow, so this experiment would cost a lot.
2023 Cadillac Escalade Specs
The main drivetrain of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade will be a 6.2-liter V8 engine. General Motors is not using a 5.3-liter displacement but goes all in for the luxury SUV. The powerplant produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard and consumes 14/20 mpg, while 4WD is an optional upgrade. The vehicle can tow up to 8,200 pounds. One of the best things about the drivetrain system is a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission.
For the first time after 35 years, Cadillac deployed a diesel engine. The full-size luxury SUV is getting power from a 3.0-liter turbodiesel unit, capable of producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. Well, buyers are rather picking a big petrol drivetrain, so the future of this experiment is under the question mark. What you can’t take from this engine is the improved gas mileage. The Escalade can return 21/27 mpg. The towing capacity of the SUV equipped with an oil burner drops by 200 lbs.
Packages
There are three trim levels available on the premium SUV. Luxury is the entry-level version. Premium Luxury and Sport are optional trims, both eligible for the upgrade with the Platinum bundle. The interior is fully covered in leather. The infotainment system is making a statement with a huge 17-inch touchscreen display. That is not all, since the driver’s cluster is also big, with a 14-inch diagonal. Heated seats are standard, as well as wireless smartphone integration, both for Android and iOS systems. The new Escalade is using parking sensors right from the base offer. AKG delivers an advanced sound system with 19 speakers.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury comes with a few added packages to the base version. For example, there is the Driver Assist Tech bundle, with a Super Cruise system and soft-close doors. This trim will also get some performance upgrades, such as a special suspension. Towing is easier thanks to the HD Trailering package. Trailer hitch assist and brake controller are also part of the Premium Luxury bundle. Rear seats are getting an entertaining system with screens. Optional Platinum package contains massaging front seats and more leather on the instrument panel and door panels. The Sport and Sport Platinum models are pretty much the same, with cosmetic touches on the exterior, such as blacked out wheels, bumpers, and a few other details.
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV
All those options are also available on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. This is the long-wheelbase version of the SUV (like Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, or GMC Yukon and Yukon XL). The base model is 212 inches long, while the ESV extends the body by 15 inches. The cargo space increases from 25/73/121 cubic feet to 41/94/142 cu.ft. on the ESV version. With so much room, you can easily load the trunk with plenty of items.
2023 Cadillac Escalade EXT Truck
The Escalade EXT truck had two generations during the 11-year span. Its main rival was Lincoln Mark LT, and both vehicles were discontinued because of slow sales. Nevertheless, ten years later, fans are still hoping to see those models again. The current situation makes it unlikely. Truckers are paying extra for equipment, but not too much. Luxury trucks would cost above $65,000 and those would still need upgrades for better towing. Also, General Motors offers good alternatives in high-end versions of existing pickups – High Country package for Chevy Silverado, and Denali model for GMC Sierra.
Prices
The base MSRP of the luxury SUV starts at $80,000. This is an average cost for the entry-level full-size model. Premium Luxury adds around $8,000 and Sport is another $2,000 upgrade. If you want to add the Platinum package, it will cost $17,000 for the Premium Luxury model, and $15,000 added to the Sport version. The new SUV will be out in the second half of 2022. We are still looking for details about hybrid and electric models. General Motors is now focused on those vehicles, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the big rig with such units.
