2023 Cadillac Escalade-V – Cadillac has made the Escalade something that it could have done long prior: it has given its enormous SUV the appearance of a V. There’s no doubt that the concept behind the American luxury label’s performance segment has evolved somewhat obscure over the past few years, and this is especially the situation when it comes to Cadillac’s V lineup being divided into more subtle V-badged models, as in addition to fully-fledged V Blackwing performance models like the CT4-V, which was voted 10Best’s best Blackwing and the CT5 Blackwing. There’s nothing unclear about the brand’s upcoming 2023 Escalade V. Its focus is on elegance and power.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Review
Powertrain
It’s not a car that we’d consider the Escalade-V as tame as it has an impressive 682-hp power output from an over-charged 6.2-liter V-8, a specially-designed engine that is closely connected to the supercharged 668-hp V-8 of the CT5-V Blackwing However it’s also the case that the engine in the SUV is swapped out the vehicle’s 1.7-liter blower, which is an original Roots model to a larger 2.7-liter unit. It’s driven by an all-wheel-drive system as well as a 10-speed auto-transmission which can take the standard-wheelbase Escalade V into 60-mph speeds in 4.4 seconds. Its more efficient, longer-wheelbase ESV version is expected to increase by 0.1 seconds to speed. If Cadillac’s performance data are true through our tests, the V is able to cut approximately 1.5 minutes off of the speed of 60mph for the Escalade. In recent testing of the 6-270-lb Escalade ESV with the default 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 engine reached the speed limit in 5.9 seconds.
It’s possible to put off the stopwatch until you experience an easy, fast ride while in the driving seat. When you press the V mode button on the right-hand side of the lever switch will trigger the most dynamic settings. It also activates the launch control feature that maintains the engine at around 1800 rpm , when the pedals are crushed into the pavement. You can remove the left pedal to enjoy the instant acceleration provided by the engine’s torque-rich design. Cadillac says that 80 percent of the six53 horsepower is available at 2000 rpm. This is equivalent to the initial speed of a moderately powerful electric vehicle. Contrary to it being an EV however it’s an ethereal whine coming from the supercharger of the Escalade V. The high-pitched roar of the active exhaust system adds an airy quality to the straight-line acceleration. When the car is not moving the quad pipes emit an ominous sound (a Stealth mode does let you hear the sound to that of the picking up Lane). When you accelerate, the system emits high-pitched crackles and squeaks as you abruptly take off the pedal.
Brake & Suspension System
Cadillac has also altered the Escalade’s brake and suspension systems to make them V-duty. The suspension’s air springs, as well as adaptive dampers, limit the movement of the body in this SUV however, they do not compromise performance. Six-piston Brembo front brakes come with a more soft and comfortable brake pedal, even though the initial bite can be messy for our taste.
Models
The V-treatment could offer more control for the Escalade and in its basic form we’ll say is one of the more athletic of its models. The satisfaction of driven by the body-on-frame Caddy isn’t as great as what you’ll receive from unibody rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG GLS63, or BMW Alpina. Both of these fast and agile Germans are capable of achieving the mile-per-minute mark within less than 4 seconds. They also come with summer-ready tires straight off the line. The Escalade V however is built with all-season rubber. While the 22-inch Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02 tires of the Escalade-V ESV we drove through Arizona gave enough grip to handle the sharp turns around Theodore Roosevelt Lake without protest However their more abrasive material isn’t suited for the type of car with this level of power. But, Cadillac does not promote its Escalade V as an alternative for SUVs to its stylish sedans. Since the majority of the high-performance SUVs tend to be driven in towns instead of taking on steep roads the decision by Cadillac to decrease the Escalade’s handling capabilities by offering a smooth ride with three-season tires seems to be an appropriate option to take a road journey.
But, this approach makes it less appealing to buy the Escalade-V’s price of $149,990 (add an additional $3000 for the ESV model) should a lower-powered but similarly equipped Escalade Sports Platinum to cost more or less $40,000 more. Yes, the Escalade Sports Platinum does not have the V’s powerful engine and sound, but these options aren’t really significant when you consider that General Motors’ Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist to lets you manage the brakes, steering, and the accelerator on certain separated highways. The design of the car doesn’t communicate its more impressive features. its distinctive badges that are specific to the model as well as its wheels, fascias, wheels, and brake calipers that are painted red. This does not distinguish it as distinct from other Escalade models. The version that’s referred to as V can be described as a sleeping car which, is actually quite uncommon for a car that has had commercial success mainly due to its extravagant design. It took Cadillac nearly 20 years to design the Escalade the way to treat a V. We’ll hope that the company doesn’t take the same amount of time to create an updated model (or greater than) that is just as lavish as the 682-hp V-8 that is under the Escalade V’s hood.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Release Date & Price
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade V will begin at $149,990, which includes an unspecified fee for the destination. This is for the short-wheelbase version, however. Cadillac hasn’t yet announced what it will cost for the extended-wheelbase ESV variant will set you back, however, we’re assuming that it’ll cost somewhere in the vicinity of the $3000 that the non-V ESV will charge over the standard Escalade. If you do have the huge sum of money required to put your hand for one of the Escalade V, putting one in your driveway may not be as easy. Cadillac has announced it will be a limited-production model. Escalade V model will only be available as a restricted-production model which isn’t too shocking. However, it will not reveal the exact amount of production and only say the “production will be limited to volume.” This means that whether it’s hundreds of thousands or even tens of thousands it’s impossible to say yet, but it’s getting more complex. Cadillac doesn’t have any type of reservation program on the V. If are interested in one, we recommend you begin contacting your dealer prior to it going to market this summer.