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This is the new Cadillac Escalade!
It’s the king of American SUVs, but has Cadillac done enough to make this latest version a genuine alternative to the best-of-British Range Rover? Let’s find out…
Mat’s driving the top-spec Platinum Sport edition today. It looks mean with all that blacked-out trim, but under the hood, we’ve got the ‘entry-level’ engine – a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 pumping out 426hp and 623Nm. But does this massive SUV actually need a supercharger, or is the standard V8 all the Escalade you’ll ever need?
On the outside, the Escalade is as subtle as a sledgehammer. The 2025 refresh brings slimmer, vertical LED headlights and a massive grille that could swallow a small hatchback. Being the Sport Platinum, this car ditches the chrome for a darker, more aggressive look, sitting on gargantuan 24-inch alloy wheels. It’s huge, it’s boxy, and it has more presence than almost anything else on the road.
Step inside, and it’s a tech-lover’s dream. The centrepiece is a staggering 55-inch curved pillar-to-pillar OLED display that makes most car screens look like calculators. You get semi-aniline leather everywhere, 16-way power-adjustable massaging seats, and a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference sound system that’ll blow your socks off. It’s also cavernous – even with the third row up, you’ve still got more boot space than most family hatchbacks!
In terms of power output, there are three different versions of the Escalade available:
– 6.2L V8 (The one we’re driving): 426hp & 623Nm torque.
– 6.2L Supercharged V8: A huge increase from the entry-level, with 682hp and 885Nm!
– Escalade IQ (The EV): If you want to go green(ish), there’s now an all-electric version. It uses a massive 205kWh battery to produce up to 750hp & 1,064Nm, with a claimed range of over 460 miles!
Quality like this doesn’t come cheap. In the US, the Escalade starts at around $93,000, but for this top-tier Sport Platinum edition, you’re looking at north of $126,000. If you want the all-electric IQ, prices jump even further to around $130,000. If you’re importing any of these to the UK, expect that figure to climb significantly once you factor in taxes and shipping!
So, should you bite the bullet and buy a Cadillac Escalade, or should you stick with a German rival? Stick around to find out!
Chapters
00:00 Intro: The Ultimate Luxury SUV?
01:03 How Big Is It?
01:38 Escalade vs Car Wash
03:12 Exterior Design
03:51 Engine Options: V8 vs Supercharged vs EV
04:38 0-60mph & 1/4-mile Performance Test!
05:25 Emergency Brake Test
06:07 Price
06:36 Platinum Sport Trim & Standard Kit
07:12 The 55-inch Screen & Luxury Interior
09:40 V8 Driving Review: Is It Refined?
12:14 Rear Seat Luxury
13:06 Third Row Test: Adult-Sized Space?
13:40 Boot Space
15:02 Daily Practicality & Storage
15:40 Annoying Features
17:15 Verdict
