Cadillac has carried out to the Escalade a little something it should have carried out nearly two decades back: give its entire-dimensions SUV the V procedure. Admittedly, the ethos of the American luxury brand’s efficiency arm has turn into relatively muddled in current years, what with the V lineup now split in between tamer V-badged designs and comprehensive-on V Blackwing high-performance variants, these kinds of as the 10Best-winning CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. But you can find nothing at all bewildering about the new 2023 Escalade-V. Its mission is one of electric power and status.
We absolutely will not likely simply call the Escalade-V tame, as it packs a 682-hp wallop from a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8—a hand-built mill which is intently related to the 668-hp supercharged V-8 uncovered in the CT5-V Blackwing, however the motor in the SUV trades the sedan’s 1.7-liter Roots-style blower for a larger sized 2.7-liter unit. With the support of typical all-wheel push and a 10-velocity computerized transmission, this blown V-8 propels the regular-wheelbase Escalade-V to 60 mph in a claimed 4.4 seconds. Opting for the heavier, longer-wheelbase ESV version supposedly provides .1 next to that time. If Cadillac’s acceleration figures maintain up in our screening, then the V ought to cut above 1.5 seconds off the typical Escalade’s 60-mph run. A latest check of a 6270-pound Escalade ESV with the default 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 noticed it strike that mark in 5.9 seconds.
Set apart the stopwatch and the Escalade-V feels correctly quick from the driver’s seat. A faucet of the model’s V mode button in front of the shift lever activates this brute’s best dynamic options and engages its start-management feature, which retains the engine’s revs at around 1500 rpm when the driver has both of those pedals mashed to the floor. Lift off the left pedal and the instant acceleration delivered by the torque-loaded V-8—Cadillac claims 80 p.c of the Escalade-V’s 653 pound-feet of torque is available from 2000 rpm—is akin to the preliminary surge of a moderately highly effective electrical car or truck.
In contrast to an EV, while, the subtle whine of the Escalade-V’s supercharger and the raucous wail of its lively exhaust system brings a symphonic quality to its straight-line acceleration. Even at idle, the V’s quad pipes emit a menacing burble (a Stealth mode does allow you silent points down for the school pickup lane). At speed, the technique exhales with loud crackles and pops when you abruptly raise off the accelerator.
Cadillac has also altered the Escalade’s suspension and braking techniques for V responsibility. Tweaks to its air springs and adaptive dampers reduce this elephantine SUV’s body motions with minimal sacrifice to its ride good quality. And six-piston Brembo entrance brake calipers endow the V with a firmer and far more responsive brake pedal, although its preliminary chunk comes off as a little bit much too grabby for our tastes.
Whilst the V treatment does make for a far better-dealing with Escalade—which in common type we are going to grant is by now a person of the additional athletic illustrations of its kind—the pleasure that arrives from being driving the wheel of this body-on-body Caddy even now falls limited of that offered by unibody rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 and the BMW Alpina XB7. Each of individuals quicker and nimbler Germans can hit the mile-a-minute mark in under four seconds and be outfitted with sticky summer tires from the factory. The Escalade-V, on the other hand, rides completely on all-time rubber. Though the 22-inch Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02 tires of the Escalade-V ESV we drove in Arizona presented sufficient grip to take care of the sweeping corners all-around Theodore Roosevelt Lake without the need of protest, their a lot less intense compound looks unbefitting of a car or truck with this significantly energy.
Then once more, Cadillac is not pushing the Escalade-V as an SUV alternative to its sports sedans. Specified that most substantial-efficiency SUVs spend much much more time driving around city than tearing up twisty roadways, the brand’s selection to temper the Escalade-V’s peak handling prowess with a comfortable ride and 3-time tires appears like a intelligent move for the actual world.
Even so, this solution does restrict the attraction of the $149,990 Escalade-V (add $3000 for the ESV model) when a fewer highly effective but similarly geared up Escalade Sport Platinum expenditures around $40,000 fewer. Certain, the Sport Platinum lacks the V’s supercharged thrust and seem, but all those qualities are largely irrelevant when you enable General Motors’ Super Cruise fingers-no cost driving guide, which is typical on equally Escalade-V models, get handle of the steering, brakes, and accelerator on specific divided highways.
Nor does the Escalade-V’s styling relay its greater potency, as its design-unique bumpers, wheels, badges, and red-painted brake calipers are unsuccessful to make it glimpse notably various from other Escalade versions. In apply, the V model is a sleeper, which frankly is a bit out of character for a car whose commercial results has occur in huge aspect from its ostentatious design. It is really taken Cadillac just about 20 years to give the Escalade the V therapy. Let us hope the brand name isn’t going to have to have as substantially time to make an extra variant (or two) that both equally seems and feels as above-the-major as the 682-hp V-8 below the Escalade-V’s hood.
Specifications
Requirements
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V
Car Sort: entrance-engine, all-wheel-push, 7-passenger, 4-doorway wagon
Price
Foundation: $149,990 ESV, $152,990
Engine
supercharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct gas injection
Displacement: 376 in3, 6162 cm3
Electric power: 682 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 653 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-pace automated
Proportions
Wheelbase: 120.9–134.1 in
Length: 211.9–227. in
Width: 81.1 in
Top: 76.4–76.7 in
Passenger Volume: 177–179 ft3
Cargo Volume: 26–42 ft3
Curb Excess weight (C/D est): 6500–6700 lb
Functionality (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.2–4.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.6–12.7 sec
Top Pace: 125 mph
EPA Fuel Economic system (C/D EST)
Mixed/City/Highway: 14/12/17 mpg
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