2015 Cadillac Escalade: The Next Step in American Luxury

With each generation, Cadillac’s full-size SUV has gotten better and better. If the first model, launched in 1999, went largely unappreciated, the second version of the Escalade saw an explosion in popularity. Overnight, it became a fashion accessory for celebrities. Its size, price and thirst for fuel should logically condemn it to a slow death at the hands of more efficient means of transportation, but logic be damned, it now comes completely revamped for 2015.

I had the chance to see the 2015 Cadillac Escalade for the first time recently in Toronto, and its new look instantly won me over. If the last generation gave me the impression of being nothing more than a caricature of its ancestors, the 2015 model is now more mature. The lines are sharper and the headlights that stretch onto the hood give a menacing look to the front fascia. At the rear, LED taillights run down the sides of the truck. Those lights may be really pretty (and extremely bright) but the first thing my pragmatic brain thought was ‘’I wonder how much it costs to replace one?’’ (although I’m sure the target audience for a Cadillac Escalade isn’t worried about busting their monthly budget by a few hundred dollars).

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Leather, wood and aluminium

During the vehicle’s presentation, Mahmoud Samara, Brand director for Cadillac Canada, mentioned that while the exterior look of the Escalade was the most obvious change, the engineers worked even harder on the interior. And as soon as I got inside, I saw just how extensive those changes were. The Escalade may have started its career with a dashboard stolen from a Silverado pickup, but the 2015 model is now fully capable of standing alongside its European rivals. It features a few acres of leather, real wood and brushed aluminium all rolled together into one luxurious and appealing cabin. Being the manufacturer’s flagship, the Escalade has to be at the forefront of technological innovations, and since Cadillac is part of the GM empire it’s pretty easy to pilfer the best technologies from its various departments.

The Escalade is massively automated, meaning that the driver doesn’t have to lift the tailgate, fold the third-row, or any other seats. The CUE infotainment system is standard, and while it is not the most advanced interface in the industry, it is very intuitive to use. My only gripe with the whole interior comes from the center stack: there are no buttons on it, as everything is controlled via a capacitive surface (like your cellphone). I get the stylistic appeal of this system (and the look is indeed quite pretty), but actually using those controls is infuriating: they don’t work a third of the time, and you need to place your finger on a very precise spot for the computer to actually register your input. This means that you have to look away from the road for a few seconds to change any setting. Real buttons would have been so much easier to use, and it would have been possible to integrate them into the console without destroying its visual simplicity. From my personal experience, those capacitive sensors are also notoriously difficult to use in sub-zero temperatures.

A very agile 2+ ton wall

Once seated in the Escalade (with the help of the retractable running boards), it is time to hit the road. For my initial test-drive, I chose the Escalade ESV, which is 50 centimetres longer than the regular, 5179 mm-long model. So it’s not exactly a compact. For an extra challenge, my first task was to pilot this behemoth out of downtown Toronto.

The Escalade came through with flying colors, proving itself surprisingly agile in heavy traffic. Part of that was due to its 6.2L V8 engine and its 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque. Coupled with a smooth 6-speed automatic, it allows the big SUV to surge forward into any opening in the flow of traffic. The electric power steering is also light and precise at low speeds, meaning it is easy to quickly point it toward a new direction. The Escalade is also helped by its stature: most people, upon seeing this Diamond White wall of steel changing lanes, wisely chose to let me pass.

Once out of the city, we get to the highway, where the Escalade is at its best. You simply engage the adaptive cruise-control, the lane-departure warning system (that sends a buzz through your seat when you are about to leave your lane) and enjoy the ride. This Cadillac has been completely redesigned to be as silent as possible, and you can hear it… Well you actually can’t, but that’s the point: with triple-sealed doors, soundproof carpet, laminated glass and an active noise-cancelling system made by Bose, the Escalade is as silent as a mausoleum, whether you are driving at 60 km/h or at a much higher speed. It is also equipped with cylinder deactivation, which helps reduce engine noise and vibration, among other things.

It handles just like a Corvette

One of the best features of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade is located between the body and the wheels: the magnetic ride suspension, based on the one used in the Corvette ZR1. This system analyzes the road in front of you 1000 times per second, then adapts each individual shock in a tenth of a second to give the vehicle an almost supernatural comfort - the bumps, potholes and other road imperfections simply disappear. It also features a Sport mode, which dramatically changes the way this system operates - rather than soaking up bumps, it now works to keep the four wheels firmly planted on the ground at all times. While the ride quality drops down a notch, the dynamic qualities are impressive as even in a high-speed turn the truck stays level and body roll is minimal. This wonderful piece of technology is standard on every Escalade, regardless of the trim level.

The price is right (if you can afford it)

Let’s now chat about the main annoyance of owning an Escalade: the monthly payment required to keep it in your driveway. The base model starts at $79,900, and it comes with a large selection of equipment: 20 inch wheels, magnetic ride control, automatic wipers, front parking sensors, an LCD screen that serves as the instrument cluster, a 16-speaker sound system and third-row seating, for example.

If you spring for the Luxury model ($85,500), you get 22-inch wheels, a sunroof, a fully configurable instrument cluster, the Driver Awareness Package, which include blind zone alert, lane change alert, cross traffic alert, forward collision alert and lane departure warning. This model also comes with the Theft Deterrent Package, which I recommend considering the Escalade is one of the most stolen vehicles in Canada…

The top of the range Premium model starts at $90,500. It adds second and third-row entertainment screens with wireless headphones, cornering lamps, and the Driver Assist Package, unlocking the adaptative cruise control, automatic braking, collision preparation, and automatic safety belt tightening.

The Cadillac Escalade doesn’t come cheap, but if your situation and budget allow you (or force you) to buy a full-size luxury SUV, you owe it to yourself to seriously consider Cadillac’s offering. With the 2015 model, the Escalade really redefines the term ‘’American luxury’’.