Cadillac Escalade-V 2023 - 682-horsepower monster

It's been a long time since the lineup of large premium SUVs has arrived, and Cadillac has decided to take the plunge. The company, owned by General Motors, presented to all fans of the brand and not only the new Cadillac Escalade-V 2023 model year. For more than one year, the model has been the flagship of the brand, and still its aggressive look and literally gigantic dimensions amaze everyone who first meets this car on the road.

What is under the hood?

One of the hallmarks of high-performance V-series SUVs is the extremely high engine power. The engine compartment hides a 6,2-liter V8 petrol. It is in many ways similar to its “colleague”, which powers the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing sedan. The only difference is that the SUV received a 2,7-liter supercharger instead of a more modest 1,7-liter. Thanks to this, he develops a crazy 682 hp. With. with a torque of 653 N * m. Although not significantly, it still overtakes the sedan engine - by 14 liters. With. and 6 N*m, respectively.



The engine's capabilities are enough to accelerate a three-ton SUV to 100 km / h in just under 4,4 seconds. A quarter mile, equivalent to 400 meters, at a speed of about 177 km / h, the car overcomes in 12,7 seconds. So far, there is no independent confirmation of these facts, everything is based solely on the official statements of the manufacturer. It is possible that in the near future there will be enthusiasts who will fix the real possibilities of the car.

Of course, such an engine will be voracious, but the engineers still tried to appease his appetites. At 100 km / h in urban mode, the engine consumes 15,7 l / 100 km, on the highway - 11,8 l / 100 km, and in the combined cycle 13,8 l / 100 km. You can forget about these terrible figures if you choose an SUV with a turbodiesel engine. He has a consumption in the same city of only 8,7 l / 100 km.

Transmission and suspension

Huge traction is transferred from the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V engine to all big four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, you will have to forget about the spectacular and not the cheapest smoky burnouts at the traffic lights. This is due to the fact that in this car the transmission does not imply the possibility of redistributing torque in the direction of the rear axle. An electronic differential was made as a "consolation prize".



The suspension of the fifth Escalade with the V package is equipped with adaptive dampers that can be adjusted. Together with them, air springs are installed on all wheels, and the rear axle is equipped with stiffer springs than the front one. The suspension can be adjusted by the driver from the passenger compartment by switching between Tour and Sport modes. As you can easily guess from their names, the first option is good for comfortable trips, and the second one is good for extreme driving.

By pressing the V-Mode button on the center console, the driver gains access to the flexible settings of the all-wheel drive system. You can set the driving mode on snow or icy surfaces, reduce ground clearance by 20 mm and affect engine performance. By the way, the Tour and Sport presets mentioned above affect not only the suspension, but also the steering. Also, the tone of the engine sound and the feedback of the pedals depend on the selected mode.

Exterior

The 2023 V model differs from the standard Cadillac Escalade in a much more aggressive and, to some extent, even menacing appearance. Bright elements and an abundance of chrome - this is not about a new car, which suits an exceptionally brutal design. It is expressed in the smallest details, which gradually gather into a single perception of the image.

When examining the exterior, the eye involuntarily stops at the massive front grille, which is painted in deep black. The beauty of the bodywork comes from a number of small details, such as moldings and four stylish tailpipes wrapping around the rear diffuser.

Even as standard, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V received 22-inch wheels. Their color is black or gray, depending on the preferences of the buyer. Bright red brake calipers from the Brembo brand are mounted on the wheels of both axles, with massive 16,1-inch brake discs in front and smaller 13,5-inch brake discs in the rear, and single-piston calipers.

Interior

The Escalade-V is the brand's flagship, so it's fair to expect premium trim from it. In this, the model did not let us down; the level of luxury in the interior is really high. Artificial leather for decoration is found only in the basic Luxury package, in all others only natural material. In the Platinum specification, for example, it is soft semi-aniline leather.

At the front of the cabin is a digital instrument panel, assembled from three curved displays. Together they make up a 38-inch screen that spans literally the entire view for the driver. There's an optional entertainment package that includes two 12,6-inch displays for rear passengers. The infotainment system is equipped with navigation, supports CarPlay and Android Auto services, and distributes Wi-Fi.



It is also interesting that in any configuration Escalade gets a decent quality audio system with 19-inch speakers. In the Platinum version, this is replaced by the professional AKG Studio Reference system with 36-inch drivers that provide the deepest sound.

The door panels and instrument screen are finished in leather, the speaker grilles are made of aluminum, and the adjustable lighting creates a comfortable atmosphere in the cabin. Otherwise, everything is the same as in previous Cadillac Escalade models, the interior looks expensive and it is pleasant to be in it.

How much will it cost?

Cadillac confidently claims that the 2023 Escalade-V holds the world's most powerful full-size SUV. It is easy to say so when the car, in fact, has no direct competitors. At first glance, it might seem that the largest Cadillac competes with the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe, but for him the Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer are much closer opponents.

Based on the foregoing, no one doubts that the company will easily sell the planned number of SUVs for a price of $149990. Many will disagree with that price tag, especially since the regular Escalade costs around $78000.



The Cadillac Escalade ESV with an extended wheelbase and a V-package trim will also be available to fans of the brand. The price tag for this version is $3000 more than without additional options. Interestingly, both modifications will be produced in a limited series. The manufacturer emphasizes that this is due to the desire to maintain the exclusivity of the models and the brand itself as a whole. Despite this, there is an opinion among the people that the limit is due to the semiconductor crisis.

Conclusion

Due to the high price and limited series of the Cadillac Escalade-V 2023 model year, unfortunately for many fans, it will not spread as widely around the world as its “colleagues in the shop”. At the same time, anyone with $150000 or so in cash will be able to buy this car and get a really interesting package of options and looks. On the other hand, many improvements are unnecessary and redundant for most people. Why overpay?