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2021 Cadillac Escalade review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Cadillac Escalade highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Sleek digital cockpit interface
  • Spacious cabin for up to eight passengers
  • Large rear cargo space

Cons

  • Controls can be hard to see
  • Certain key tech features are optional
  • Base V8 lacks fuel economy

Mileage (EPA estimate)

14 city, 19 highway, 16 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

7 photos
Price
Year

Maximum size, comfort and power.

There are many reasons to choose a large SUV as your next car — space for passengers and cargo will never be a concern, and these vehicles often come with bold styling that takes advantage of their size. If you are on the lookout for such a car, you've just found an ideal candidate. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ticks all of the boxes with a stylish, sharp exterior giving way to an ultra-spacious interior. Newly redesigned for 2021, the Cadillac Escalade offers eye-catching looks, strong engine choices, and a feature list packed full of driver convenience and comfort features. For those looking for maximum size, space, and presence, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is a great choice. While we currently do not have many 2021 Cadillac Escalades on our lots, we look forward to selling more in the future. If you love the 2021 model, you should also consider prior model years of the Cadillac Escalade with similar features.

All Cadillac Escalade years

What is new for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

  • The Escalade is available in a variety of new trims, including the ESV Premium Luxury Platinum, ESV Sport, ESV Sport Platinum, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport, and Sport Platinum.
  • The Base, ESV, ESV Platinum, and Platinum trims have been discontinued for 2021.
  • Escalade trims have been upgraded with Panoramic Sunroof, Rear A/C Seat(s), Leatherette Seats, Seat Massagers, and Turbo Diesel Engine as standard equipment this year.
  • The Premium Luxury trim now comes with Cruise Control as standard equipment.
  • The ESV Premium Luxury trim now comes with Cruise Control as standard equipment.

2021 Cadillac Escalade trims

Curious how Cadillac Escalade trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Luxury:

  • 277-hp, 460-lb-ft of torque 3.0L
  • 420-hp, 460-lb-ft of torque 6.2L
  • Memory Seats
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Rear A/C Seats
  • Power Folding Third Row
  • Third Row Seat
  • A/C Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Power Seats
  • View our Cadillac Escalade Luxury inventory

Premium Luxury:

ESV Luxury:

ESV Premium Luxury:

Sport:

Sport Platinum:

Premium Luxury Platinum:

ESV Premium Luxury Platinum:

ESV Sport:

ESV Sport Platinum:

Cadillac Escalade photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

1. Eye-catching style and bold lines

2021 Cadillac Escalade Review: Exterior | CarMax

You won't have any trouble finding the 2021 Cadillac Escalade in a crowded parking lot, and passers-by will be turning their heads as you drive by. From Crystal White to Black Raven, there's also an exterior color option to suit every style.

2. A powerful, potent engine is standard

As standard, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade comes with a powerful 6.2L V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Right out of the box, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offers all the power and hauling capabilities you'll need for daily driving duties. Not only does it offer fast, smooth acceleration, but it provides great pulling power, too. When properly equipped and in two-wheel drive configuration, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade can tow up to an estimated 8,200 lbs with its 6.2L engine.

3. Optional diesel engine = power and practicality

2021 Cadillac Escalade Review: Engine | CarMax

Alongside the standard 6.2L V8 gas engine, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade has an optional 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine available. Power output is 277 hp, with the exact same torque output as the gas engine at 460 lb-ft. Crucially though, you shouldn't need to take anywhere near as many trips to the pumps with this powerplant. The 3.0L diesel engine can achieve an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined in two-wheel drive configuration with the standard ten-speed automatic transmission, compared to an EPA-estimated 17 mpg with the 6.2L engine on the same drivetrain configuration.

4. A vast, spacious interior

2021 Cadillac Escalade Review: Front seats | CarMax

One of the main strengths of such a large SUV is, of course, a large spacious interior. And not only does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade deliver just that, but it maximizes the available space extremely well inside the redesigned body and cabin. There's seating for up to seven passengers as standard, with an optional bench second-row seat increasing that to eight if needed. And with a big 168.4 cu-ft of passenger volume, you and your crew will have plenty of room to stretch out and be comfortable on longer journeys. Additionally, there's 25.5 cu-ft of cargo volume behind the rear seats, and that can be expanded to a massive 121 cu-ft of cargo volume with both second and third-row seats folded.

5. A jam-packed feature list

2021 Cadillac Escalade Review: Dashboard | CarMax

Well-equipped doesn't begin to cover the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The base model trim is named Luxury, and they mean it. It comes standard with leather seating, a dash-spanning 16.9-inch infotainment screen, heated front and rear outboard seats, front and rear parking sensors, and tri-zone climate control. Elsewhere on the feature list, the Premium Luxury trim includes the Driver Assist Tech Package, featuring adaptive cruise control and soft-close doors, the Heavy-Duty Trailering system, and the Cadillac Super Cruise semi-automated driving system. For maximum driver convenience and comfort, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade has all the features you'll need.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Cadillac XT6

Debuting in 2020, the Cadillac XT6, is a compelling choice if you're after a three-row SUV with a long list of features. For starters, this seven-passenger utility vehicle offers ample room for your passengers and belongings: you'll find 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 78.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded down. Standard technology features on the 2020 Cadillac XT6 include an eight-inch diagonal touchscreen, wireless charging, and a Bose stereo system. The XT6 also includes the following standard features:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels

  • Eight-inch touchscreen

  • Heated front seats and steering wheel

  • Power liftgate with programmable height

  • Power-folding third-row seats

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3
Average

RepairPal gave the Cadillac Escalade an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks Cadillac Escalade 8th out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac Escalade features and specs

Luxury 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • A/C Seat(s)
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Parking
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Leatherette Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Navigation System
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Folding Third Row
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear A/C Seat(s)
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Rear View Camera
  • Remote Start
  • Running Boards
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Third Row Seat
  • Tow Hitch
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Diesel Engine
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Quad Seats
  • Rear Entertainment System

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

3.0L

Horsepower

277

Torque (ft-lbs)

460

Engine type

Turbo Diesel

Fuel capacity

24

Wheelbase

120.9"

Overall length

211.9"

Width

81.1"

Height

76.7"

Leg room

F 44.5"/M 41.7"/R 34.9"

Head room

F 42.3"/M 38.9"/R 38.2"

Front tires

275/50R22SL

Rear tires

275/50R22SL

Seating capacity

7

Max towing capacity

820/8200 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2021 Cadillac Escalade FAQ

More about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Color options

Exterior colors:

  • Black Raven

  • Crystal White Tricoat

  • Dark Mocha Metallic

  • Dark Moon Blue Metallic

  • Infrared Tintcoat

  • Sandstone Metallic

  • Satin Steel Metallic

  • Shadow Metallic

Interior details

  • Three-row seating as standard

  • Seating for up to seven people as standard

  • With the optional second-row bench seat, seating capacity goes up to eight people

  • 168.4 cu-ft of passenger volume

  • 25.5 cu-ft of cargo volume behind the rear seats

  • 121 cu-ft of cargo volume with the third-row seats folded flat

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