2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport 4WD: The More Athletic-Like Luxury SUV

Highlights: This is the first fullsize luxury SUV to be available with a handsfree highway self-driving system. Moreover, the interior design was led by Crystal Windham, the highest ranking Black female car designer in the industry.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $107,640 (Base Model RWD: $77,890)

Seating Capacity: 7

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; an automatic emergency braking; a following distance indicator; a forward collision alert system; a front pedestrian braking system; a rear pedestrian braking system; a lane keep assist system;  a rearview camera; an OnStar concierge safety system; front and rear park assist system; automatic high-low headlights; a traction control system; a hill start assist system; a trailer sway assist system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a 17-inch spare tire

Standard Equipment (Base): 22-inch wheels; a 10-speed automatic transmission; a tri-zone automatic climate control system; 4 years or 50,000-mile free maintenance; a start-stop fuel saving system; a handsfree liftgate; rear ventilation system; an adaptive remote start system; a keyless ignition system; a push button ignition system; memory setting; an in-vehicle Wi-Fi system;  leather-like seats; heated first and second row seats; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a heated steering wheel; power release second-row seats; a wireless phone charging system; an augmented reality system integrated in to the vehicle; a 37-inch driver information screen and infotainment screen; a tri-zone climate control system; and a premium smooth ride suspension system

Standard Equipment (Sport): 22-inch wheels with a dark android finish; a heads up display system; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; a rear camera mirror washer; a rear cross traffic alert system; leather seats; heated and ventilated front seats; vehicle inclination sensor; vehicle interior movement sensor; a glass breakage sensor; a power panoramic sunroof; trailer side blind zone alert; enhanced automatic parking assist (parallel and perpendicular parking); a rear camera mirror washer; door handles, body color; rear mounted Gloss Black luggage rack; electronic slip differential; hitch guidance with hitch view; an in-vehicle trailering app system; a magnetic ride control system; a trailer side blind zone alert; a trailer brake controller; and a body color heated, drive-side auto dimming power-folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators;

Options: a 36-speaker surround system; a driver assistance tech package; air ride adaptive suspension; sill plates, illuminated; doors, front and rear, soft close/clinching; an adaptive cruise control system; an enhanced automatic emergency braking system; a reverse automatic braking system; auto seat belt tightening; night vision; 12-spoke gloss black alloy wheels; a rear seat entertainment system; power assist steps with perimeter lightening; crystal white tricoat; puddle lamps with Cadillac Crest

Other Trim Levels:

Luxury

Premium Luxury

Platinum Luxury

Platinum Sport

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 19-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 6.2-liter, 8-cylinder engine/420-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Towing: 8,600 lbs 

Standard Fuel Mileage: 14-city/19-hwy

What’s New:  The fifth-generation Escalade is all-new for the 2021 model year.

Why:

  Safe road warrior

·        Two Powertrain, an 8-cylinder gasoline and a 6-cylinder diesel

·        Duramax diesel costs the same as the 6.2-liter, V-8

·        Three rows of seats

·        Easy to access second and third row seats

·        Massive infotainment screen with a driver-centric appeal

·        Touchscreen infotainment screen without fingerprints

·        Second-row bucket seats

·        Third-row seats comfortable for adults

·        Easy to use information system

·        Rearview camera makes it easier to park vehicle

·        High quality material

·        Speakers embedded in front seat headrests

·        The automatic side steps offers lighting effects at nightime

·        Premium upgraded sound system

·        Can easily carry up to seven adults comfortably

·        Towing ability of 7,700 lbs

·        The Sport model exchanges the Cadillac chrome for a Black out treatment and       22-inch dark android finish

·        An automatic parking assist system on Sport and higher level trims

 But: 

·        The exterior fascia is not as distinctive as the previous two generations

·        The luxury SUV continues to handle and drive like a truck

·        The average transaction price exceeds $100,000

·        A lot of vehicle to navigate, especially on narrow streets

·        Contemporary grille doesn’t offer the same stylish appeal as the previous            generation Escalade

·        The seating is still too firm

Verdict: Today’s fullsized luxury SUVs have replaced the traditional car. Cadillac, as well as other luxury automakers, have packed the latest high-tech features and luxury amenities into vehicles like the Escalade. Thus, this has pushed the mammoth people haulers into flagship status for the iconic brand. This year’s model infuses the brand optional hands free highway driving system, which is known as SuperCruise.

With the new redesign, the Escalade Sport trim joins the iconic SUV. The athletic-like luxury SUV ditches the glitzy Cadillac chrome for a cooler looking black-out treatment with the grille, wheels and trimmings around the leather seats. Moreover, the Sport trim adds a magnetic ride control and electronic slip differential, which alters the handling and driving characteristics of the Escalade from its traditional suspension. Lastly, its fitting that the Sport's trim is outfitted with a HUD (heads up display), which aids in supports the more athletic-like driving characteristics (or as much as possible of this fullsized SUV).

Competition: 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer; 2021 BMW X7; 2021 GMC Yukon Denali; 2021 Infiniti 2021 QX80; 2021 Lexus LX; 2021 Lincoln Navigator; and 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS