2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

　　

2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The Cadillac Escalade is already a large luxury SUV. The Escalade ESV is the supersized version, measuring 20.4 inches longer nose to tail. Why would anyone need something this big? The short answer is cargo.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$262/mo  for Escalade ESV Base

　　Escalade ESV Base

　　4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $78,195 MSRP4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $81,195 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $83,795 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $86,795 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $88,195 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $91,195 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $95,295 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $98,295 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　With a rather paltry 15.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the standard Escalade has one of the smallest capacities in the class. The ESV's added dimensions pay dividends, more than doubling the capacity to 39.3 cubic feet. In addition to hauling a lot of stuff, the Escalade ESV is also adept at transporting up to eight passengers in comfort. Combine these with a maximum tow rating of 8,100 pounds and you have a very capable vehicle for a luxurious family vacation.

　　As accomplished as the Escalade ESV may be, there are some drawbacks to consider. We're not impressed by its comparably stiff ride, and the large footprint makes precise maneuvers challenging. As big as the cargo hold is, the high floor height can make it difficult to load bulky objects.

　　As it stands, the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV plays second fiddle to our class favorite, the Lincoln Navigator L. We suggest checking out both before making a decision. To further complicate matters, it looks likely that a redesigned Escalade is on the horizon.

　　

Which Escalade ESV does zzdcar recommend?

The Premium Luxury trim gets our recommendation in the Escalade ESV lineup. This model finds the "just right" Goldilocks zone by adding forward and reverse automatic braking, a rear-seat entertainment system and adaptive cruise control.

　　

2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV models

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV is a full-size 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 the Platinum take this big, plush American machine to a whole different level. All Escalade ESVs are powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine (420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft) paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard; four-wheel drive is optional on every trim.

　　The base trim is generously appointed both inside and out. Standard feature highlights include 20-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, an automatic parking system, a hands-free liftgate and remote start.

　　Inside the cabin, you'll find tri-zone automatic climate control, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and power-folding split third-row seats.

　　Standard electronic features include an 8-inch touchscreen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a surround-view camera, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 16-speaker audio system with satellite radio, five USB ports and a wireless charging pad.

　　For additional driver aids and more plush equipment, choose the Luxury trim, which equips 22-inch wheels, a sunroof, automatic high beams, power-folding second-row seats, a head-up display, and a camera-based rearview mirror system in which the rearview mirror is a screen displaying what the camera sees behind the vehicle. It also includes a blind-spot monitoring system, lane departure warning and intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　Our recommended trim, the Premium Luxury, hits the sweet spot with the above features plus adaptive cruise control, a rear entertainment system with a Blu-ray player, and a more advanced collision mitigation system with both forward and reverse automatic braking.

　　The most lavish Escalade ESV is the Platinum trim, which adds power-retracting side steps, upgraded power front seats with a massaging function, premium leather upholstery, and a cooled front-seat center console.

　　

2020 Escalade ESV Highlights

Trim: BaseLuxuryPremium LuxuryPlatinumBase

　　

Base MSRP	$78,195
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$262/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles