Long-considered the standard-bearer in the large luxury SUV segment, the Cadillac Escalade has yet to return to its once-lofty position, in part because of all the competitors that have arrived, taking a lot of the SUV’s shine in the process.

Cadillac’s understanding of the Escalade’s precarious position in its segment spurred the automaker to go all-in on the fifth-generation model. If Caddy wants the Escalade to return to its place at the cabisera of the full-size luxury SUV dinner table, nothing short of an ambitious offering would suffice.

Well, that offering has arrived. The fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade made a stunning arrival in Los Angeles with an all-new look, new engine options, and a cavernous interior that also happens to be packed with an incredible array of tech and entertainment features. If the fifth-generation Escalade’s debut is anything to go by, Cadillac’s swing-for-the-fences move may have just paid off.

A New Face... Finally

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There’s a lot to unpack here, and I’m not even sure where to start. I suppose beginning with the visuals is a good idea, so let’s do that.

Chrome trim running from the bottom of the headlights and down into the lower end of the front grille adds a nice premium touch to the SUV’s design. The vertical LEDs running along the sides are signature Caddy lights, as are the vertical taillights at the back. The 22-inch wheels also come as standard.

Overall the all-new Escalade looks every bit the part of a monolithic luxury SUV.

The 2021 Escalade just happens to have a fresh and appealing face that, by the way, is a welcome change after the fourth-generation Escalade looked more like an evolved version of the third-gen model.

Decent Power for its Size

A vehicle as big and as massive as the Cadillac Escalade will need an engine — or engines — that can power this luxury rig without coughing up a lung. For this particular job, the General is offering two engines for the all-new Escalade.

If gas consumption isn’t an issue, GM’s new 6.2-liter V-8 engine is actually the standard choice. It’s equipped with a host of tech features, including variable timing, stop/start, and Dynamic Fuel Management. Most importantly, the V-8 produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

2021 Cadillac Escalade drivetrain specifications

Engine

6.2L V-8 VVT DI with Dynamic Fuel Management and Stop/Start

Duramax 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbo-Diesel

Bore & Stroke(in / mm):

4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92

3.30 x 3.54 / 84 x 90

Block & Cylinder Head Material:

Cast aluminum

Cast aluminum

Valvetrain:

Overhead valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing

Dual-overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder

Fuel Delivery:

Direct high-pressure fuel injection with Dynamic Fuel Management

High-pressure, common-rail direct injection (36,250 psi / 2500 bar); electronic throttle valve

Horsepower(hp / kW @ rpm):

420 / 313 @ 5600 (SAE certified)

277 / 207 @ 3750 (GM estimated)

Torque(lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

460 / 623 @ 4100 (SAE certified)

460 / 623 @ 1500 (GM estimated)


Cadillac didn’t mention performance numbers, and they’re not really as relevant as you’d think. The Escalade isn’t winning any drag races anytime soon. The important thing is that both engine options are matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends all that power to the two rear wheels with four-wheel drive capability available as an option.

Even better, the Escalade benefits from an enhanced version of the tech that comes with a handful of new features and improvements, including automated lane change. All you need to do is use the turn signal to indicate the direction you want to go to and the Super Cruise system takes over, performing a single-lane change by itself. Not too bad for an advanced driver assistance system that was only introduced in 2017.

Interior Space for the New Age

The fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade looks fresh and modern. It’s also powered by two intriguing engine options. The inclusion of the Super Cruise system is a welcome bonus, too. And yet, if we’re really going to talk about the Escalade, the most important section of the luxury rig is the interior.

How do 38 inches of diagonal digital display space sound to you? Cadillac’s digital display setup is on the right side of insane. Mind you, we’re not just talking about a single screen; we’re talking about three screens that are layered one in front of the other and stretching from the far left side of the dashboard to nearly in front of the passenger.

There’s an overwhelming feeling when you see the entire setup, especially when they’re all turned on. The totality of it makes Mercedes’ MBUX display look like child’s play. I can’t stress that hard enough.

Even more incredible is that all three displays use OLED technology, which provides twice the pixel density of a 4K television. In terms of display clarity, no vehicles can boast the kind of crispness that the Escalade’s digital screen setup provides. There’s a reason for that: nobody has ever used OLED technology on their displays used OLED technology on their displays}}.

Notice how the entire setup curves, too? This is Cadillac — and General Motors — flaunting its tech like never before. And yes, the setup comes standard across all versions of the Escalade. If this is what a chest-puffing, muscle-flexing Escalade looks like, then consider us impressed, even if everything else about the SUV’s interior leaves a lot to be desired.

Here’s the thing, though. The 38-inch digital display setup is just the beginning. As visually stunning as that display setup is, Cadillac also has a treat for our ears in the form of an AKG sound system that boasts 19 speakers. That’s more speakers than most of us probably need but this is the Escalade we’re talking about. There’s no such thing as excess when it comes to this rolling monolith.

The speaker setup includes a large enclosed subwoofer, powered by a 14-channel amplifier. If for some reason 19 speakers aren’t enough, Cadillac and AKG created an optional sound system that can adjust volume settings independently in the front and rear as well as sync with the navigation system to provide audio prompts.

Oh, the sound system also boasts an eardrum-popping 36 speakers powered by three amplifiers that deliver 28 channels. Don’t ask us where Cadillac found the space to install 36 speakers inside the Escalade. We’re just as numb at the thought of all those speakers going full blast at the same time.

All told, the Escalade boasts 25.5 cubic feet of cargo room for the standard-issue model and a staggering 42.9 cubic feet of cargo room for the ESV variant.

Final Thoughts

With so many new car releases happening these days, it has become more difficult to be completely wowed by what’s being presented to you. There are some parts about the all-new, fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade that didn’t make us jump out of our seats. But the Escalade’s interior did the trick.

It’s one thing to glean the SUV’s cabin from a computer screen, but to see it up close should be an experience unlike anything we’re going to feel in a long time. I’ve never been as excited with an SUV’s interior as I am with the Escalade’s. Here’s to hoping that this excitement carries over to when I see the SUV up close for the first time.