2021 Cadillac Escalade: Everything You Need to Know | In-Depth Review

March 21, 2021

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The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is, without a doubt, among the top luxury full-size SUVs. It packs advanced tech features, sophisticated safety systems, modern interior styling, and an elegant exterior.

If you are looking for a luxurious SUV with spacious seats and intelligent driving, you should definitely put the 2021 Cadillac Escalade on your shortlist.

2021 Cadillac Escalade Luxury — Base Trim

Starting price: $76,195

Powertrain

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Luxury trim features a standard 6.2-liter V8 base engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, good enough for 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Such a powerful engine makes a real difference on the road. In this category, you really shouldn’t bother with naturally-aspirated V6 engines.

However, if you care more about efficiency than power, Cadillac also offers a Duramax turbodiesel six-cylinder engine. Of course, the diesel is a bit short on power at only 277 hp, which might be a bit low for such a massive truck. However, it produces the same 460 pound-feet of torque—it’s decent, at best.

With the Luxury trim, customers get two drivetrain selections, either a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or a four-wheel-drive system (4WD) configuration.

In the RWD Luxury model, the V8 receives an underperforming EPA rating of 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Meanwhile, the 4WD variant is even a little thirstier at 14 mpg city and 19 mpg on the highway.

The Duramax turbodiesel is much more economical, though. The RWD model burns 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Interior

Every Escalade trim has a refined and neatly designed interior. The cabin is modern and comfortable, featuring three roomy rows of seats. Moreover, materials utilized to craft the new Escalade’s cabin range from natural wood to handmade leather decorations and premium fabric options.

The Escalade Luxury comes standard with 12-way power-customizable heated front seats for outstanding comfort. Furthermore, the cabin is quite relaxing, thanks to the ambient interior lighting. Standard seats are wrapped in easy-to-maintain artificial leather upholstery.

Additional standard features include a power-folding third row, a power tilt-and-telescoping heated steering wheel, driver’s seat memory, proximity keyless access, remote start, tri-zone automatic climate supervision, a household-style power outlet, a hands-free power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a traditional garage door opener.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Luxury doesn’t shy out on displays as it incorporates three screens with sharp graphics, oriented towards the driver. More specifically, you’ll find a 16.9-inch main screen with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, an additional 7.2-inch advanced instrument panel to the left, and a 14.2-inch instrument binnacle. All screens combined measure around 38 inches, and are the highlight of the Escalade’s interior.

Other standard features include a 19-speaker AKG Studio stereo, a wireless smartphone charger, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, Navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a satellite radio, and an HD Radio.

Safety

Like any high-end SUV these days, the 2021 Cadillac Luxury offers a plethora of standard safety features, including:

A forward automatic emergency braking system that monitors vehicles ahead and alerts the driver of a possible collision and can also reduce the vehicle’s speed, if needed.
Rear parking sensors alert drivers of obstacles while parking the SUV.
A surround-view parking camera reveals an overhead image of the area around your SUV, including rear and front vision cameras.
Forward collision warning monitors the road ahead and notifies the driver if there is a risk of impact.
Front and rear pedestrian detection observe people coming into the vehicle’s driving line.
Automatic high beam headlights help to turn on and off your high beams automatically when necessary. This technology switches on your high beams when driving on dark roads but returns to the low beams automatically when there’s a car ahead.
Rain-sensing windshield wipers activate by sensing rainfall or snow.
A safety alert in the seat vibrates from left, right, or both sides to notify the driver of the direction in which a collision will occur so he or she could take action quickly.
The Teen Driver monitoring system helps your teenagers develop good driving habits and drive safely.
A rear-seat reminder helps detect if the rear doors are open or closed within ten minutes before starting the vehicle.

Exterior

Cadillac is known for its classic and fashionable exterior designs and the 2021 Escalade Luxury is no exception. Notably, Cadillac’s full-size SUV features a modern exterior with a gloss-black grille and a sharp chrome chevron form. It also comes with LED daytime running lamps, rain sense wipers, and 22″ 14-spoke alloys with a radiant silver finish.