2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV

　　

2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Presence, power and style have made the Cadillac Escalade the big luxury SUV benchmark for nearly 25 years. The Lincoln Navigator gets a nod here too, since both debuted around the same time and claimed devoted enthusiasts. But key to the Cadillac flagship's appeal is its versatility, enough to cradle big families in comfort while also pulling up to 8,000 pounds.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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

　　$291/mo  for Escalade ESV Luxury

　　Escalade ESV Luxury

　　Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $82,295 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $85,295 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $91,095 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $94,095 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $94,095 MSRPSport 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $97,095 MSRPSport Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $108,595 MSRPSport Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $111,595 MSRPPremium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $108,595 MSRPPremium Luxury Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $111,595 MSRPV 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl S/C 10A) - $152,195 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV stretches the regular model an additional 15 inches, yielding 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space. (By comparison, the standard Escalade offers 25.5 cubic feet.) The ESV also gives third-row passengers a little more legroom. For 2023, the ESV provides a new thrill — heightened performance. The new Escalade-V ESV marries the brand's V-Series performance legacy to the extra-long Escalade in the form of a supercharged V8 generating 680-plus horsepower.

　　It's ridiculous power for a well-dressed family shuttle, and plenty of it is used to propel the 6,000-pound SUV to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, according to Cadillac. It also comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $150,000. Even if we can't find any practical reason to own one, we love that it exists.

　　For 2023, the Escalade ESV also adds video recording to its front and rear cameras that can be used while driving or parked. Think of it as a Cadillac version of Tesla's Sentry mode. And while Tesla doesn't have a challenger for the Escalade ESV, the Caddy isn't alone. Its oldest rival, the Lincoln Navigator L, was updated last year and should be a top consideration.

　　Jeep has also launched a long version of its new Grand Wagoneer SUV this year, which offers loads of interior room, ample power and even a bit of Jeep off-road mojo (although a very dialed-back mojo relative to other Jeep models). But if you're looking for a big-luxe SUV with commanding presence and a choice of V8, super V8 or diesel punch, the Escalade ESV is a top choice.

　　

Which Escalade ESV does zzdcar recommend?

If you don't want to spend six figures on the top Platinum trims, we recommend the Premium Luxury. It builds on the base Luxury features with a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, real leather seating and several advanced driver aids. It's also eligible to add several options, including the Performance package and the 36-speaker AKG Studio audio system. Of course, if money and fuel efficiency aren't concerns, go straight for the new 682-hp Escalade-V ESV.

　　

Cadillac Escalade ESV models

The 2023 Escalade ESV is a large three-row luxury SUV that comes in six trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum and Escalade-V ESV. It seats eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat. The standard captain's chairs drop the count to seven.

　　All trims except the V-Series come with a 6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft of torque) and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is optional. The V-Series gets a supercharged version of the same V8 rated at 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard for the Escalade-V ESV, the V-Series version. A turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft) is optional for all but the V-Series ESV. It's not as quick as the V8 gas engine but gets 23 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive. Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　Luxury

　　Standard features for this base trim include:

　　22-inch wheels LED headlights Automatic high-beam headlights Hands-free liftgate Acoustic laminated glass (reduces outside noise) Power-folding, heated outside mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Remote engine start 14.2-inch digital instrument display Tri-zone climate control Inteluxe synthetic leather seating Ambient interior lighting Power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats Heated front and rear outboard seats Power-adjustable and heated steering wheelThe Escalade ESV also includes a comprehensively equipped infotainment system:

　　16.9-inch touchscreen display Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Amazon Alexa Built-in Connected services with subscription access to a Wi-Fi hotspot Satellite radio Navigation with augmented reality video overlay 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system Wireless smartphone charging 110-volt AC outletThese driver assist features are also standard on all Escalade ESV trim levels:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Escalade and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Surround vision recorder (can record live video from front and rear cameras while parked or driving) Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)Premium Luxury

　　Includes the above features and adds:

　　Panoramic sunroof Leather seating Ventilated front seats Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Enhanced anti-theft technologyThe Premium Luxury trim adds these advanced driver aids:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Escalade and the car in front) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)These packages and options can be added to the Premium Luxury trim:

　　Touring package Adaptive air suspension Soft-close doors Illuminated doorsills

　　Performance package Magnetorheological adaptive suspension Electronic limited-slip differential Trailer hitch assist (helps with lining up a trailer) Integrated trailer brake controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cabin) Trailer blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot while towing) Vehicle and smartphone towing app (an in-vehicle and smartphone app that assists with various aspects of towing)

　　Heavy-Duty Trailering package Trailer camera Trailer tire pressure monitoring system Two-speed transfer case (4WD models) Additional engine cooling

　　Rear-seat entertainment system Two 12.6-inch seat-mounted rear touchscreen displays Content-streaming capability Two HDMI and USB-C ports Two Bluetooth AKG headphones Premium Luxury Platinum

　　The range-topping trim adds:

　　Performance package contents Touring package contents Massaging front seats Leather-wrapped instrument panel, console and upper door panels Leather-wrapped steering wheel Upgraded leather seating Synthetic suede headliner 36-speaker AKG Studio audio system Rear-seat entertainment systemThe Sport's and Sport Platinum's features and options are similar to those found on the Premium Luxury (with the Performance package) and Premium Luxury Platinum trims, respectively. Visual touches such as unique wheels and gloss-black exterior trim separate the sporty trim levels.

　　Notable stand-alone options include:

　　Super Cruise (hands-free adaptive cruise control with lane keeping system) Console refrigerator with freezer mode Night vision (assists with visibility in low light conditions) Power side steps with LED lighting Front six-piston Brembo brakes Performance exhaust system Second-row bench seat (for eight-passenger seating)Escalade-V ESV

　　The new V-Series version is equipped similarly to the Premium Luxury Platinum and can add most of the same options. It also adds the bonkers 682-hp supercharged V8 engine along with:

　　Unique 22-inch wheels Single-speed transfer case Front six-piston Brembo brakes

　　zzdcar Latest Cadillac Escalade ESV News

　　2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: New Looks, Same Big Nasty V8

　　Five New Cars We're Excited to Drive in 2024

　　General Motors Offers Incentives to Blazer EV, Lyriq Buyers to Offset Tax Credit Loss

　　2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV Revealed, and Wow, It Sure Looks Familiar