2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

　　

2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　For the past few years we've ranked the Lincoln Navigator as one of the best large SUVs you can buy. Its traditional rival, the Escalade, hasn't fared as well. But the balance of power might be shifting with the debut of the fully redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The ESV is the long-wheelbase version of the Escalade, which means it has more rear-seat space and cargo space than the regular Escalade.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Luxury 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

　　$274/mo  for Escalade ESV Luxury

　　Escalade ESV Luxury

　　Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $79,195 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $82,195 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $86,195 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $89,195 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $88,895 MSRPSport 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $91,895 MSRPSport Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $103,595 MSRPSport Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $106,595 MSRPPremium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $103,595 MSRPPremium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $106,595 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The fifth-generation Escalade follows the related GMC Yukon XL and Chevrolet Suburban to market and benefits from a lot of the same changes. Most notably, all of these SUVs get a new independent rear suspension that promises a smoother ride and increased interior space. The Escalade ESV also packs new technology features, including Cadillac's Super Cruise, which is one of the best semi-automated driving systems around, and a sharp-looking display that spans most of the dashboard.

　　

Which Escalade ESV does zzdcar recommend?

The base Luxury trim comes well equipped, but we suggest going for the midgrade Escalade ESV Premium Luxury model. While it isn't as well equipped as the higher-grade trims, it offers a wider array of optional features than the base Luxury model, including Super Cruise and an adaptive air suspension.

　　

2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV models

The 2021 Escalade ESV is a three-row large luxury SUV that comes in five trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum. The Escalade seats up to eight with the second-row bench seat. The optional captain's chairs drop the count to seven.

　　All Escalade ESVs come standard with a 6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft) and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is optional. Also optional is a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft). While it likely won't be as quick as the gas engine, the diesel should net better fuel efficiency and superior towing capability. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　Luxury

　　Standard features for this base trim include:

　　Full leather seating Tri-zone climate control A dash-spanning 16.9-inch infotainment screen and a 14.2-inch instrument cluster Keyless and ignition with remote start Heated front and rear outboard seats Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration A 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system Front and rear parking sensorsPremium Luxury

　　Includes those features and opens up the options list with available features such as:

　　Driver Assist Tech package Adaptive cruise control can speed up and slow down the vehicle with traffic Soft-close doors that catch as they're being closed and are gently pulled shut Performance package Revised suspension Trailer hitch assist that helps when lining up a trailer Trailer brake controller that helps control a trailer when on the road A Heavy-Duty Trailering package Rear-seat entertainment system Adaptive air suspension (can raise or lower the vehicle to help with loading)Premium Luxury Platinum

　　Comes with most options as standard equipment but adds:

　　Massaging front seats Leather-wrapped instrument panel, console and upper door panelsThe Sport and Sport Platinum trims' features and options generally mirror those on the Escalade ESV Premium Luxury and Premium Luxury Platinum, respectively. Visual touches such as wheels and gloss-black trim separate the models.

　　It's worth pointing out that Cadillac's Super Cruise semi-automated driving system is optional on all but the base Luxury and four-wheel-drive diesel models. Super Cruise allows for hands-free highway driving, though it's far from self-driving since drivers still need to have their eyes up and on the road ahead.

　　

2021 Escalade ESV Highlights

Trim: LuxuryPremium LuxurySportSport PlatinumPremium Luxury PlatinumLuxury

　　

Base MSRP	$79,195
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$274/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	41.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles