2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury SUV Review

When the stylists put pen to paper for the redesigned 2015 Cadillac Escalade, subtlety didn't have to be this gargantuan SUV's strong suit.  And yet here we are with the latest version of Cadillac's super-hauler sporting some of the most intricate detailing and restrained sheet metal ever to have graced its plus-sized proportions. 

That's not to say that the Cadillac Escalade has lost any of the attitude that was such a big part of past models - far from it.  The new Escalade packs the same level of presence that makes it impossible to ignore, even when parked, and it sits on a traditional full-frame chassis that gives it stupendous capability when it comes to towing and hauling.  Under a microscope, however, the Escalade reveals lessons learned from a hard apprenticeship at the hands of competitors like the Land Rover Range Rover and the Audi Q7, and it's under this tutelage that Cadillac has taken significant steps towards refining its flagship SUV.

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade comes in three trim levels and two wheelbases, with the extended model dubbed the Escalade ESV.  The base Luxury trim (MSRP $68,965) includes 22-inch rims, parking assistance, a power liftgate, LED headlights, heated and ventilated leather seats up front (with heaters for the second row as well), the CUE infotainment system, adjustable pedals, three zones of automatic climate control, keyless ignition and keyless entry, a Bose stereo system, satellite radio, power folding rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic high beams, and a sunroof.  The Premium model (MSRP $73,245) adds a body-color grille, a rear seat entertainment system, power retractable running boards, a dual outlet exhaust system, and brighter wheels, while the Escalade Platinum (MSRP $81,515) adds chrome rims, heated and cooled cup holders, a DVD player with two screens for rear occupants, LED headlights, upgraded leather for the second and third rows of seating, and nicer wood trim.

Naturally, much of the equipment found on high level Escalades can be added to lower trims by way of the options list.  The vehicle I drove for a week was a standard wheelbase Premium edition that featured all-wheel drive, a deleted dual exhaust system, and LED headlights, bringing the total MSRP for my tester to $76,535.

 What’s New:

• The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has been completely redesigned for the current model year.

The essence of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade remains the same, but as I hinted in the introduction to this review the execution of the SUV's design has evolved in a more genteel direction.  Whereas it once screamed 'look at me' to pedestrians and passersby with blocky styling and a protruding chrome grille, the new Escalade manages to tighten up its proportions while still flaunting the best aspects of its massive footprint.  A good deal of this newfound modesty can be found up front, where the grille - still chrome - has been better integrated into the truck's nose, and where gorgeous LED headlights now slice into the tops of the fenders to match the L-shaped running lights carved into the lower fascia.  'Chiseled' is a word that you can't really over-use when describing the Escalade's muscular physique, and while its profile matches that of its platform-mate, the GMC Yukon, it does manage to stand apart from the lesser SUV as far as personality goes.

The passenger compartment of the Cadillac Escalade pushes even further past its GMC cousin, for while the Denali is indeed plush the Cadillac cabin presents a more pleasing arrangement of leather, wood, and brush metals.  Finally we have an Escalade interior that doesn't feel like it was lifted almost entirely from a more affordable SUV, and this exclusivity is further reflected by the LCD-intensive dashboard and gauge cluster that comes standard with the vehicle.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has been completely redesigned for the current model year.

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade continues the marque's well-documented mission of isolating driver and passengers from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.  It accomplishes this goal in a variety of ways, including the use of acoustically-treated glass, an active noise cancellation system, and a magnetically-controlled adaptive suspension system that excels at dialing out harsh pavement.  Add to this a renewed focus on outfitting the Escalade with the kind of materials befitting a vehicle of its price - rather than the simpler hides and trim installed in the Yukon Denali and Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ - and you have an upscale environment from which to enjoy even the lengthiest road trip.

Given that the Escalade can seat up to eight adults, you'll be able to press the SUV into service as a people mover extraordinaire.  The third row is a little tighter than one would want it to be for full-size grown-ups, but my tester featured a set of captain's chairs in the second row that look better and are more comfortable than the available bench.  At the very rear of the Cadillac Escalade you'll find a set of buttons that power-fold the final row of accommodations into the floor and another pair that will flip the second row forward, too, creating a completely flat loading area. 

In order to achieve the latter, Cadillac had to sacrifice some cargo space to fit the folding mechanism.  This means that the Escalade's 94.2 cubic feet of total interior storage is about 12 cubes less than it was in 2014.  The upside is that you don't have to physically remove the bulky third row bench and then carry it into your garage, which in my opinion is an advantage worth trading for.  If you're looking for more room, the Escalade ESV tacks on a significant boost in storage space thanks to its longer wheelbase.

Incidentally, the key fob for the Escalade allows you to pop open both the rear hatch glass and the hatch itself from a distance.  However, pushing the tailgate button to lower the hatch once you are done won't automatically drop the glass if it was also opened, which may lead to situations where you're driving down the expressway with the tinted panel sticking up over the top of the truck like a World of Outlaws wing.  I mean, so I've heard.  Anyways, pay attention when you close the hatch and you can avoid a similarly ignominious fate.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has been completely redesigned for the current model year.

The big news on the 2015 Cadillac Escalade's feature's list is the full integration of the CUE infotainment system, which consists of a center-stack touch panel, a touchscreen, and an LCD gauge cluster.  CUE is equal parts impressive and frustrating: I loved the fact that I could select from several gauge layouts, and then move vehicle information around each to suit my preferences, but I wasn't happy with having to repeatedly tap the capacitive volume slider to get my way with the stereo.  I used the steering wheel buttons as much as possible, and also worked my way through CUE's onscreen menu system when necessary.  It's not as bad of a design as many have made it out to be, but not is it as easy to grasp as it really should be.

There's a lot of luxury gear stuffed into the Cadillac Escalade, including a useful head-up display, available adaptive cruise control, and even an automatic braking system that intervenes should the SUV detect that you're about to reverse into a vehicle while parking.  I am not ashamed to say that on one occasion exactly this happened during my time with the Escalade, with the truck stopping smoothly, but firmly before any damage could be done.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Cadillac Escalade gains a number of new safety features.

All versions of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade benefit from the installation of seat-mounted side airbags up front, dual forward airbags, side curtain airbags, and a class-exclusive center airbag that protects driver and front passenger from each other in a serious collision.  Electronic stability control and traction control are standard with the SUV, as is the OnStar telematics system which can automatically notify emergency personnel in the event of an accident.  Active safety gear for the Escalade includes a blind spot monitoring system, while a forward collision warning system and a lane departure warning system are also available.  Each of these features interacts with the driver by way of the vibrating Safety Alert Seat, a fantastic notification delivery method that also transmits the direction of the potential threat instead of merely sounding a chime or flashing a light.

2015 Cadillac Escalade Crash-Test Ratings: The Cadillac Escalade has yet to be given an overall crash safety rating from either the NHTSA or the IIHS.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Cadillac Escalade gains a more powerful version of last year's V-8 motor.

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade comes standard with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.  These numbers represent an increase of 17 ponies and 43 lb-ft compared to the year before, and the next-generation power plant also offers cylinder deactivation technology to help improve its fuel mileage.  I didn’t see much benefit to the system in city driving: although the official EPA rating is 15-mpg around town and 21-mpg on the highway for two-wheel drive models, my tester with its optional all-wheel drive was nowhere near that optimistic.  A six-speed automatic remains the only transmission available with the Escalade.

Big SUVs like the 2015 Cadillac Escalade typically don't do ballet all that well, and nor should they be expected to - this vehicle is intended to haul people, tote living room furniture, and tow boats when it's not showing off at the valet station.  That being said, the magnetic adaptive suspension outfitted to the Escalade allows it to tackle corners without embarrassing itself, and while it would be a stretch to call the full-size truck fun to drive (especially considering its live rear axle), it's much more composed than one would expect for such a heavy vehicle.  Cadillac has added a 'Sport' setting to the suspension's presets, but it's pretty much just there for show: keep it in Tour and enjoy the comfortable, competent ride instead.

The Escalade's 6.2-liter V-8 just keeps giving, even when loaded down with people or hardware from a Home Depot run.  Towing is listed at 8,300 lbs, and I think the Cadillac would make an excellent chariot for pulling in to a local high performance driving event with a track car sitting on the trailer behind you.  Acceleration is brisk and authoritative in the Escalade, although it falls behind the truly stunning 0-60 exploits of vehicles like the Range Rover Supercharged and the smaller Porsche Cayenne.  The all-wheel drive system sitting underneath the Cadillac's generous ground clearance can be set to Auto, High, and Off, and it's really not intended to tackle anything more than the occasional snow flurry or rutted road.  I kept it off most of the time and only really noticed a difference in the SUV's dynamics when I stood on the gas a little too abruptly and got the rear tires spinning.

I ended up liking the 2015 Cadillac Escalade a lot more than I thought I would.  While the pragmatist in me strongly suggests that opting for the somewhat less expensive, yet similarly-capable Yukon Denali is the more logical choice, the attention to detail inside the Escalade's passenger compartment and its revised styling template have given me a new appreciation for GM's luxury leviathan.  It doesn't boast the same level of handling found in its European competitors, and its truck-sourced chassis transmits more of the rough stuff, but it's also not nearly as pricey when similarly equipped.  It also has a character all its own, and when shopping at the upper reaches of the luxury suv market that counts for something alongside the anonymity of vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Pros:

• Styling is still outspoken, but now more well-spoken to boot
• Hugely practical
• Excellent power
• Very comfortable
• Standard magnetic adaptive suspension
• Available all-wheel drive

Cons:

• More expensive than similar GMC Yukon Denali
• Not quite as refined as rivals like the Land Rover Range Rover
• Fuel mileage is still shockingly bad in normal driving
• Handling due to weight and live axle design

GM Canada supplied the vehicle for this review.