Name: 2026 Cadillac Escalade
Brand: Cadillac

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

Cadillac’s redesigned Escalade SUV doubles down on its identity as an imposing status symbol while making major improvements in ride quality, infotainment usability, and passenger comfort. But its fuel economy is dismal, and handling remains clumsy.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Cadillac Escalade

vs. Similar Cars

Acura MDX

Audi Q7

BMW X7

Cadillac XT6

See All Models Predicted Reliability

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Cadillac vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Cadillac vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Cadillac vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Luxury SUVs 3-row Ratings

2026 Cadillac Escalade

$91,100 - $171,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Acura MDX

$51,800 - $75,850

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2027 Audi Q7

$70,900

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Audi Q7

$62,000 - $68,100

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2027 Audi Q9

$87,700 - $118,000

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW X7

$87,500 - $156,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Cadillac XT6

$49,195 - $60,695

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Infiniti QX60

$51,590 - $66,690

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Infiniti QX80

$83,750 - $111,500

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Land Rover Discovery

$60,200 - $83,500

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Land Rover Range Rover

$113,300 - $260,900

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus GX

$66,785 - $83,250

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Lexus LX

$107,000 - $141,500

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus TX

$56,940 - $80,610

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus TX Hybrid

$56,940 - $80,610

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lincoln Aviator

$56,910 - $85,910

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Lincoln Navigator

$91,995 - $122,525

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE

$68,400 - $139,100

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS

$93,950 - $185,000

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

$90,250 - $180,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Volvo XC90

$61,050 - $73,850

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Luxury SUVs 3-row Ratings

Features & Specs

extended SUV
4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear, 3 third

4WD, AWD, Rear

6.2-liter V8 (420 hp)
6.2-liter V8 supercharged (682 hp)

10-speed automatic

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 6 years/70,000 miles
Corrosion 4 years/50,000 miles
Hybrid NA
Roadside Aid 6 years/70,000 miles
Maintenance first visit

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2021-Present

Current Generation

The Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV have been redesigned for 2021, growing in size and features. As before, the Escalade shares much with the similar Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, including the move to a contemporary independent rear suspension. Judging from our time with the Tahoe and Suburban, it improves the ride and allows for more rear cargo space. The standard engine is a 420-hp, 6.2-liter V8. A 277-hp, 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine was also offered until 2025. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The modern cabin is overflowing with high-tech features, including a curved 55-inch panoramic display, a smaller display for climate and shortcuts, and an available premium stereo. The Escalade comes standard with FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection. The Escalade received a refresh for the 2025 model year. A large 55-inch screen for both instrumentation and infotainment is introduced. BSW and RCTW became standard. Plus, it now offers the latest version of the Super Cruise active driving assistance system as standard with a subscription. The base trim level has disappeared for 2027, pushing the starting price into six figures.

2015-2020

2015 Redesign Year

Few vehicles arrive with the Escalade's imposing look. It's extremely quiet and plush inside, with a natty interior finished in stitched leather. But its luxury is disappointingly skin deep. The stiff ride, particularly with the 22-inch wheels, is out of place in a luxury vehicle. With its clumsy handling and mediocre braking performance, the Escalade makes other full-sized SUVs seem graceful. Power is plentiful, but even with the new eight-speed automatic the Caddy gets just 16 mpg. For all its size, none of its seats really leave room to stretch out. And the third-row seat is tiny in the regular-length version. The unintuitive CUE infotainment system is a constant aggravation. Updates for 2016 included available lane-keeping assist and the addition of Apple CarPlay to the infotainment system. Updates for 2018 included a new 10-speed automatic, replacing the eight-speed unit.

2007-2014

2007 Redesign Year

A redesign for 2007 brought a 403-hp, 6.2-liter V8 mated to a six-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 8,100 pounds. The interior is much nicer, but handling is clumsy, fuel economy is poor at 13 mpg overall, and the third-row seat is small. Still, when it comes to luxury, nothing else in the category (built in America) can compete with the ultra-plush Escalade's features. As long as you focus on comfort and space, the Escalade shines. Bring dynamics into the equation and there are better offerings to be had from offshore.

2002-2006

2002 Redesign Year

With leather upholstery, wood trim, a cushier ride, and an inflated price tag, the Escalade became the full-size American luxury SUV of choice when it was introduced. The 2002 redesign was still truck-based, with power coming from a large 6.0-liter V8 engine. The ESV is a longer version based on the Chevrolet Suburban, while the EXT pickup is essentially a plusher version of the Chevrolet Avalanche.

1999-2000

1999 Redesign Year

This sheep in cashmere clothing pretends to be an all-new luxury SUV, but it's just a rebadged Chevy Tahoe with leather upholstery, wood trim, a cushier ride, and an inflated price tag. Virtues include a powerful engine, a smooth-shifting transmission, selectable full-time four-wheel drive, and a spacious interior. But expect sloppy handling and abysmal fuel economy. This generation Escalade was short-lived as a quick fix so Cadillac dealers had an SUV to sell like their Lincoln competitors do.