GM Reveals 2015 Cadillac Escalade

[Camaro_Corvette]

Any chance the wood grain interior won't be the only option?

[King T]

(Car And Driver)



2015 Cadillac Escalade
Because Escalade, that's why.

There is a certain internet meme that properly, tersely, and fully explains the existence of the Cadillac Escalade. With vulgar charm, it addresses the critical and common question of “Why would someone want an expensive Yukon/Tahoe/Suburban?” (In fact, it’s a solid—if crass—response to any “why” question.) But we can’t reproduce that meme here. It’s just not a family friendly line, and the Escalade is, at its core, a family vehicle. Really. Every year, tens of thousands of people buy Cadillac’s massive three-row SUV, and these buyers are on average younger, wealthier, and better educated than buyers of any other Cadillac model. These are demographics that any car company would be desperate to keep, and so with GM rolling out new versions of all of its full-sized trucks this year, it’s only rational that Cadillac would have a new iteration of the lovably irrational Escalade.

Entering its fourth generation, the Escalade is, as it always has been, a close sibling of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon. Look beyond the snazzy headlights—they’re LEDs with a Cadillac logo and “total internal reflection” high beams—and the 2015 Escalade is still largely wearing the same clothes as its corporate brethren. But what’s the harm there? Shoppers have always known about this cross-brand connection, and plenty still stream into Cadillac showrooms. There’s more to like with this new ’Slade, too. Like the YukaTahoBurbans, the Escalade’s doors are now set deeper in the side of the vehicle, rather than outside of it, which Cadillac says will deliver a quieter, more refined ride. Twenty-inch wheels, once the exclusive turf of washed-up rappers turned TV hosts, are standard, and 22s are optional.

It’s the Escalade’s interior where Cadillac has made the biggest effort to separate its flagship from lesser GM trucks, and the results are impressive. For the first time, the Escalade’s cabin says “CTS” more than it does “Yukon,” sharing none of its dash or door trim with the GMC and Chevy SUVs. The Caddy’s dashboard is dominated by a façade of button-free shiny black plastic, otherwise known as the touch-sensitive CUE system already serving in the ATS, CTS, and XTS. That panel is paired with an eight-inch touch screen and they combine to control the radio, climate control, navigation, and more. One does hold out hope that scientists are able to end the terrible global button-and-knob shortage soon.

In place of the traditional gauge cluster, the Escalade features a 12.3-inch screen with a customizable display. The driver can choose to have it show navigation details, trip data, or audio info in whatever way is most pleasing to him or her. It can even be set up to show gauges.

Front-seat occupants will also enjoy standard heated and cooled seats, as well as an additional four inches of legroom versus the outgoing Escalade model. The second row comes with standard seat heaters, and the two outboard second-row seats recline. As before, the Escalade will be available in two lengths—a standard version comparable to the Tahoe and Yukon, and a 10-inch-longer Escalade ESV that matches the Suburban and Yukon XL.

The unseen parts of the Escalade are also significantly upgraded from the outgoing generation. Under the hood, Cadillac has installed the newest version of GM’s immortal small-block V-8 engine. Now featuring direct injection, the 6.2-liter V-8 makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, improvements of 17 horses and 43 lb-ft from the engine in the outgoing truck. More power is always welcome, especially when (1) we’re talking about an Escalade, because an Escalade should always have more of everything, and (2) more includes the additional 100 pounds or so that this Escalade has gained versus the model it’s replacing. It would have been nice to see GM launch its next-generation eight-speed automatic transmission in this rig, but alas, the Escalade has a certainly adequate six-speed gearbox.

Magnetic Ride Control, GM’s high-tech suspension system, is standard equipment, and Cadillac offers the now-expected array of driver assistance gadgetry: lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking—for emergencies only, please—and blind-spot monitoring. Much of this equipment is standard on the higher-end Luxury and Premium trim levels, but with even the cheapest Escalade starting at north of $65,000, it’s a little disappointing that any of this kit is an extra-cost option. (Detailed pricing info will be released closer to the SUV’s arrival at dealers this coming spring.)

Discussion of the Escalade often comes back to price, it seems, because we are still in essence talking about a luxury version of two much-less-expensive SUVs. So, in G-rated terms, why does Cadillac have a $65,000 version of the same three-row SUV that GMC and Chevy sell? Because as with the meme, the Escalade is likeable because it’s jarringly inappropriate. That’s why.

[King T]

(AutoGuide)













2015 Cadillac Escalade Debut Emphasizes Cabin Quality

Starting in the spring of 2014 when Caddy dealers begin to take delivery, the Escalade will enter its fourth generation. As you can already see, part of the latest transformation includes a series of stylistic updates that put the truck more in line with other products from GM’s luxury brand. Large LED pillars on the front, a new grille and gargantuan light bars on the back all set the brand’s latest apart from the outgoing model. It also loses the bumper-integrated exhaust ports and, of course, carries the same body characteristics as General Motors other body-on-frame SUVs.

That includes a spoiler with an integrated wiper blade, inlaid doors for improved aerodynamics and an aluminum hood and liftgate panel and more. Of course, 20-inch wheels are included in the standard equipment list and 22′s are available.

Then there’s the new 6.2-liter V8 also found in GMC’s Yukon Denali among other high-end General Motors products that recently debuted. With it, the engine brings 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. There’s still a six-speed automatic transmission directing power to either the rear wheels or all four. Cadillac has yet to divulge fuel economy ratings, but you can expect the mild weight saving measures and more sophisticated powertrain to offer considerable fuel economy gains.

Important as those changes might be, the company emphasized one aspect of its new luxury land monster over all others during the New York City debut: Its cabin. If the Escalade is going to sell, it needs to outdo its Yukon Denali cousin by a respectable margin and that comes down to style and material quality. It’s a tough task considering how much nicer the new Denali-trimmed trucks and SUVs are.

But Cadillac more than met the challenge. Starting with a center stack familiar to current products, the new Escalade finally escapes its previous GM parts bin doldrums. Rather that looking like a repurposed version of much less expensive GM SUVs, the new Escalade feels as it should; like a hulking Cadillac. Seats look more sculpted and generous wood inserts leave the cabin with a rich feeling.

Like the rest of GM’s new SUVs, there’s more leg and head room. The front seats get about an extra four inches for your largest appendages and another 1.5 inches of skull space. The second and third rows fold flat and this Caddy has a hands-free power liftgate with adjustable height settings.

Safety systems include automatic front and read braking at low speeds, a front-center airbag and an available “driver awareness” package. Checking that box adds a forward collision alert system, lane departure warnings and directionally-specific vibrations in the seat to warn of possible collisions. Adaptive cruise control is also available along with blind spot monitoring.

Escalade sales will only include the standard wheelbase and “ESV” extended wheelbase models and pricing has yet to be announced.

[Stew]

I like it alright, will probably like it better in person. That is a lot of LEDs, be careful driving down down a country road at night, might give some poor farmer a heart attack thinking aliens have come to mutilate their cows...........

[KMPrenger]

Exterior: I like it, but not exactly what I had hoped either. I think it is attractive, although not sure its much if any better looking than the Yukon Denali. Heck..I may like the Denali more. The huge grill, or something about the front seems a bit off-putting to me though...but overall it is good. I don't hate the huge tail lights (at least on this application)...it sets this beast apart and when I see them I know exactly what it is. I'd drive it lol.

But I also like the last version as well. This one is clearly more boxy, which in some ways I like a lot, (and especially on some of the other Caddy models) but in other ways I do like care for it. The way the 2nd and 3rd row windows and pillars on each of the Suburban, Yukon, and Cadillac looks just bothers me a bit. I think the previous gen still looks attractive, and dare I say it maybe even a bit more luxurious:



Interior: A complete home run. Just pure awesome. Can't say much else...I think current Cadillac interiors are among the most attractive of any lux brand.....outside of $xxx,xxxx exotic super cars.

[ssrs2lt]

My question is why does GM insist on the steering wheel shifter? It seems really out of place and back dated.

[FenwickHockey65]

Don't really care about where it is in SUVs and crossovers, but trucks = column shift. Period.

[IBM]

Originally Posted by King T

When I saw the rear it instantly reminded me of the CTS Wagon.


I actually like the rear. Especially in that video Fen posted. At least no one will confuse the Escalade with anything else on the road at night!

They look a tad more appropriate on the shorter wagon, though.

Either way I'm sure it will look better in person.

[ssrs2lt]

Fen do you like the shifter on the steering wheel with the P R D 1 2 on the steering wheel as well? Just kidding, but on an 80,000 vehicle I should be able to have a modern shift option

[SS 376]

I like it all around. Tahoe's the best looking one of the bunch though.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by ssrs2lt

Fen do you like the shifter on the steering wheel with the P R D 1 2 on the steering wheel as well? Just kidding, but on an 80,000 vehicle I should be able to have a modern shift option

That takes up room in the center console? Pfft.

[Diode Dynamics]

I sell LEDs and even I think GM needs to know when enough is enough...lol



Nick C.

[snizzle]

Ummm, everyone is giving their cars the LED treatment. Not just GM.

Btw, I think the Escalade looks great front to back. No need for it nor the expendable income, but I like it.

[dkp2LT]

Originally Posted by 87GNX

Ok, all these LED's beginning to be played out.

+ 1