WASHINGTON — Large luxury SUVs are becoming rarer with companies switching to a crossover. But GM bucks that trend and sticks to the old-school truck frame that can go off road and tow some heavy loads.
Last year, the big SUV was redesigned with bolder styling that helps it stand out from its GMC and Chevrolet brothers. For 2016, the Escalade sees some updates to the technology inside plus Apple Car Play that promises to make this a more user-friendly SUV.
Let’s start off with those changes for 2016, and, first and foremost, an improved CUE system, the audio, climate and NAV controls, which are now quicker and respond to touch better. Some will still miss not having a volume knob or other normal controls as the system is controlled by touch on a large screen. Surround Vision is a welcome addition. It gives you a view all around the vehicle and makes parking a bit easier. You can tell if you’re in one spot and not hogging two spaces.
I drove this Escalade Platinum about the same time I had a Lincoln and a Range Rover. While the Escalade is a pricey $94,830, the interior is top notch. Leather is everywhere on the doors, the center console and dash. This was a new vehicle with only about 400 miles and it smelled like a leather shop in Argentina, instead of the usual new car smell.
The first two rows of seats are covered in nice feeling Semi-Aniline Nappa Leather. The front seats have 18-way adjustments, are heated, ventilated and have massage, so you can drive all day in comfort. The second row features heated, comfortable captain’s chairs and there are three video screens for rear-seaters. The third row is best for kids or look for the larger ESV model if you want adults to ride back there. The problem isn’t really leg room — the high rear floor doesn’t allow your feet to sit low enough, which is strange for such a big vehicle.
Also, for such a great looking interior, there are a few short cuts. For example, the ends of the transmission lever and turn signal stalk felt cheap and rough. Simple chrome rings on the end would have finished it more completely.
Driving the Escalade isn’t as intimidating as the large size suggests. The steering is light at slow speeds so maneuvering is rather easy. Once you get used to the dimensions, and, with the help of the nifty camera, you can park and drive in tighter spaces with much more confidence than before. The ride was good, but bigger bumps where met with a jiggle — the large 22-inch wheels may be to blame.
The powerful 6.2 liter V8 has plenty of power to move this SUV with gusto and it sounds good doing it — something this big shouldn’t be this fast. You can just simply cruise and enjoy a whisper quiet interior noise even at highway speeds. The big V8 can run four cylinders, and it’s pretty seamless from the transition from eight to four cylinders — a significant change from previous GM models. There is also a smooth eight-speed automatic that helps with fuel economy. I managed 15.0 mpg for my week on this new low-mile SUV, but not the 17 mpg of mixed driving the sticker says.
The 2016 Escalade has bold styling outside and with the Platinum collection trim level you get a different grill and 22-inch wheels that help this Cadillac stand out even more than it already does. The Escalade has the safety features and luxury touches that people spending at least $80,000 or a lot more expect in a large luxury SUV. It’s comfortable and equipped with upscale amenities including a built in Wi-Fi hotspot to get work done or help entertain those who forgot the movies on long trips. If you want to stand out in the crowd the Cadillac Escalade is ready to take you there.
