2017 Cadillac Escalade: Top Dog In The SUV World

The 2017 Cadillac Escalade is General Motors’ largest and most expensive passenger vehicle. It is also its most profitable. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, which start at $47,215 and $49,915 respectively, the Escalade starts at $74,590 and can top out at over $105,000 if you check all the boxes on the order form.

The Cadillac Escalade is the one American luxury vehicle that has been embraced by the top one percent. Popularized by sports stars and other celebrities, the Escalade can be found parked next to Bentleys and Ferraris in the multi-car garages of estates from the Hamptons to Beverly Hills. 

Escalade Comes In Two Sizes – Large And Extra Large

The 2017 Escalade is available in two versions: Escalade, which is Tahoe-sized, and Escalade ESV, which is Suburban-sized. The Escalade lets you have either two rows with cargo space behind, or three rows without. The stretched Escalade ESV, which has a 14” longer wheelbase and 20” more overall length, gives you three rows plus plenty of cargo space behind. The Escalade ESV is nearly 19 feet long!

Mechanically, Just One Choice To Make

The 2017 Escalade has one engine for all applications: a 6.2L cast aluminum direct-injected V-8 with 420 horsepower, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Zero to sixty takes less than six seconds – pretty good for a vehicle weighing almost 6,000 pounds!

Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive, with high and low ranges, is optional. Magnetic ride control suspension and automatic rear load leveling do a good job of adding some comfort and control to what is basically a truck platform converted into a luxury vehicle.

Maximum towing capacity is between 7900 lbs. and 8300 lbs., depending on model and drive system selected. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15 MPG in the City and 20 to 22 MPG on the Highway.

Plenty Of Luxury Inside

As you might expect, there is not much you won’t find inside the 2017 Escalade. Standard items are heated and cooled leather seats, power adjustable pedals, heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, piano black and metal trim, acoustic glass, and ambient lighting. There is even active noise cancellation for a quieter ride. A 16-speaker Bose audio system, 12” reconfigurable instrument cluster, CUE telematics with embedded navigation, 4G LTE, remote start, and wireless charging are also standard.

Interesting options and upgrades include semi-Aniline leather seats, leather-wrapped instrument panel and console, a variety of 22” wheels in case the standard 20” wheels aren’t large enough, an upgraded braking system with six-piston Brembo calipers (not a bad idea in a three-ton+ vehicle!), a fancier grille, a rear seat DVD system, and power retractable assist steps.

Safety Systems To Protect You

The 2017 Escalade comes standard with seven different airbags to protect the occupants from frontal and side impacts. Available driver assistance systems include forward collision alert, forward and reverse automatic braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and side blind zone alert. Being one of the largest passenger vehicles on the road is yet another safety feature!

2017 Cadillac Escalade Has The Guts To Make You Look Glorious

The 2017 Cadillac Escalade has the presence, the prestige, and the street cred to transport you and your family in style. It also has what it takes to haul your horses and all your gear to Dressage events without breaking a sweat. It fits right in with the Range Rovers while providing the reliability and low upkeep of an American-made vehicle. The Escalade is truly the class of the Cadillac line.