Completely redesigned for 2021, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade rolls into showrooms fundamentally unchanged.
However, two notable enhancements: First, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist are now standard on the entry-level Luxury grade. Second, Super Cruise is Cadillac’s semi-autonomous driving technology (temporarily unavailable due to microchip shortage), and it’s now available on all but the Luxury trim level.
An in-your-face statement of luxury, technology, and mine is bigger than yours, Escalade rules the roost as Cadillac’s flagship.
Yes, it is a truck-based, body-on-frame SUV. In Escalade’s case, though, all that means is, it can tow up to 8,200 pounds.
We like the Escalade for its spacious cabin, available diesel engine, independent rear suspension, available Magnetic Ride Control, and its blend of luxury and ruggedness.
Cadillac separates Escalade into five grades: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum.
You can buy Escalade in its regular 211.9-inch length or go for the ESV, which is 15 inches longer. Picking the ESV will set you back $3,000, no matter the grade.
Likewise, opting for 4-wheel drive (4WD) instead of rear-wheel drive (RWD) adds $3,000 to the bottom line of any trim level.
Providing the thrust falls to either a 6.2-liter V8 or an available 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel. Both shuttle engine production to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Despite the extra length, ESV models share government mileage estimates with regular-length models.
2022 Cadillac Escalade Luxury (starting at $76,295)
Standard content includes 22-inch alloy wheels, a trailer hitch with a 7-wire harness, Hitch Guidance, hill-start assist, and tow/haul mode selector.
Other features are automatic headlight leveling, heated power outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals and driver’s side auto-dimming, and a hands-free power liftgate.
Also included are LED headlights, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, 12-way power front seats, faux-leather seating, and an automatic heated steering wheel.
An auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless entry with push-button start, and a power tilt-telescopic steering wheel are standard.
A tri-zone automatic climate control, a power 60/40 split-folding third-row seat, and wireless phone charging are also included.
A huge 16.9-inch touchscreen, a 19-speaker AKG audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth are within the infotainment system.
Other infotainment goodies include HD radio, OnStar capability, seven USB ports, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and satellite radio capability.
Among the driver aids are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning.
A surround-view camera, front-rear park assist, and high-beam assist are also included.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Luxury base price equals $77,990. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,401 per month. See 2022 Cadilac Escalade Luxury models for sale
2022 Cadillac Escalade Luxury includes:
- Hitch Guidance – This is an extra line on the rearview camera display to help line up the vehicle’s tow hitch to the trailer.
- Hands-free power liftgate – With the key fob on your person, stick your foot under the rear bumper. The liftgate automatically opens.
- Tri-zone automatic climate control – Separating the vehicle into three areas (front right, front left, and rear), it allows setting the temperatures in each then automatically maintains those preset temperatures.
2022 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury (starting at ($84,895)
Premium Luxury builds on the Luxury grade. It adds a panoramic power sunroof, a rearview-camera washer, an anti-theft alarm, a head-up display, and an interior-movement sensor.
Additional driver aids are Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear camera mirror.
The Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system (temporarily unavailable due to microchip shortage) is a $2,500 option beginning with the Premium Luxury. Under certain conditions, it can help the driver accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle.
For an extra $2,700, you can add the Performance Package. It includes an electronic limited-slip differential, an integrated trailer brake controller, and an in-vehicle trailering app. Other Performance Package goodies are Magnetic Ride Control and Hitch Guidance with Hitch View.
Hitch Guidance with Hitch View not only provides that extra line in the rearview camera display but has a camera trained on the hitch.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Premium Luxury base price brings the total to $86,590. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,556 per month. See 2022 Cadilac Escalade Premium Luxury models for sale
2022 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury includes:
- Enhanced Automatic Parking – Your car finds a parallel or perpendicular parking space and parks itself.
- Head-up display – A projector on the dashboard at the windshield base displays key driver information on the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight.
- Blind-spot monitoring – This radar-based system warns of traffic approaching your flanks. It also includes rear cross-traffic alert to warn of vehicles crossing behind you when in reverse.
2022 Cadillac Escalade Sport (starting at $87,595)
Sport is basically the Premium Luxury grade with the Performance Package included. It also adds some Gloss-Black exterior accents and trim.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Sport base price totals $89,290. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest costs $1,604 per month. See 2022 Cadilac Escalade Sport models for sale
2022 Cadillac Escalade Sport includes:
- Magnetic Ride Control – Electronic sensors in each wheel monitor conditions up to 1,000 times per second, adjusting the suspension for a smoother ride.
- Hitch Guidance with Hitch View – This includes an extra line on the review-camera display to help line up the hitch and trailer. It also provides a camera aimed at the hitch.
- Electronic limited-slip differential – Sensors monitor the wheels for slippage. When slippage is detected, it automatically transfers torque to the wheel with grip.
2022 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum (starting at $101,595)
The Sport’s Gloss-Black accents are gone. However, the Performance Package additions stay.
To that, Premium Luxury Platinum adds an adaptive air suspension, reverse automatic braking, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and adaptive cruise control.
Front-rear soft-close doors and a rear-seat entertainment system are also standard.
The Premium Luxury Platinum grade has all the bells and whistles. Consequently, it only offers a couple of insignificant option packages.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Premium Luxury Platinum base price equals $103,290. Financing with no money down for 60 months works out to $1,773 per month. See 2022 Cadilac Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum models for sale
2022 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum (starting at $101,595)
The Sport Platinum grade is the same as the Premium Luxury Platinum trim, except it replaces most exterior chrome with Gloss-Black pieces.
Adding the $1,695 destination fee to the Sport Platinum base price equals $103,290. Financing with no money down for 60 months works out to $1,773 per month. See 2022 Cadilac Escalade Sport Platinum models for sale
