2023 Cadillac Escalade-V – Cadillac has given the Escalade what it ought to have done two decades back: giving its large SUV the treatment of a V. It’s true that the philosophy behind this American luxurious brand’s performance unit has been somewhat confused in recent years, particularly is happening with the V lineup being split into the more refined V-badged models, as well as the full-on V Blackwing models that are high-performance including the 10Best-winning CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. However, there’s nothing confusing regarding the newly launched 2023 Escalade V. Its purpose is one of power and class.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Review
Powertrain
It’s not a car that we would describe the Escalade V as tame since it comes with the 682-hp punch of the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, a custom-built unit that’s closely connected to the supercharged 668-hp V-8 that’s found in the CT5 Blackwing however, the engine inside the SUV swaps the car’s 1.7-liter blower that’s a type of Roots for a bigger 2.7-liter unit. It’s powered by an all-wheel-drive standard and a 10-speed automated transmission, the blown V-8 can propel the standard-wheelbase Escalade V up to 60mph in 4.4 seconds. The larger, heavier, and longer-wheelbase ESV version is said to add 0.1 seconds to the speed. If Cadillac’s performance figures prove to be accurate in our tests it is expected that the V will take around 1.5 seconds off the standard Escalade’s speed of 60 mph. Recent tests of the 6-270-pound Escalade ESV with the default 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 saw it reach this speed with a speed of 5.9 seconds.
Drivers
Put aside the stopwatch, and the Escalade V is extremely quick when you’re in sitting in the driver’s seat. When you press the V mode button located in between the levers for shifting triggers the most dynamic settings of this beast and triggers the launch-control function that holds the engine at approximately 1800 rpm if the driver’s two pedals are in the same place. The left pedal is released and the quick acceleration is generated by the V-8’s torque-rich engine–Cadillac says that 80 percent of the Escalade V’s 653 lb-ft. of torque accessible from 2000 rpm — is similar to the initial acceleration of an electric vehicle that is moderately powerful. vehicle.
In contrast to an EV but it is a subtle whine from the supercharger in the Escalade V and the loud roar of the active exhaust system brings an ethereal quality to its straight-line acceleration. Even when the car is idle, its quad pipes let off a threatening sound (a Stealth mode does let you reduce the noise in the school pickup Lane). When you accelerate the system lets out high-pitched crackles and pops as you suddenly take off from the throttle.
Brake System
Cadillac has also changed the Escalade’s suspension and brake systems to accommodate V-duty. Adjustments to its adjustable dampers and air springs reduce the car’s body movement but without sacrificing performance. Six-piston Brembo front brakes give it a more firm plus more responsive pedal although its initial bite is too snazzy for our taste. The V treatment may improve the handling of the Escalade, which in its standard form we’ll admit is one of the most athletic versions of its kind, the satisfaction that comes from sitting driving the body-on-frame Caddy isn’t quite as satisfying as what you get from unibody rivals like the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 and the BMW Alpina. Both of those faster and more agile Germans can reach the mile-per-minute speed in just four seconds, and come with sticky summer tires straight from the factory. The Escalade V is on the other hand has been built exclusively with all-season rubber. The 22-inch Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02 tires of the Escalade-V ESV we drove through Arizona provided enough grip to navigate the sharp curves that surround Theodore Roosevelt Lake without protest however, their less aggressive rubber isn’t appropriate for a car with this kind of force.
2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Feature
But then again, Cadillac is not pushing the Escalade V as an SUV option in its sedans with sports features. Since the majority of high-performance SUVs have a tendency to be driven in the city than driving on curvy roads, the company’s choice to limit the Escalade-V’s top handling capabilities with an easy ride and three-season tires appears like a good idea to make for everyday use.
But, this method reduces the attraction of the Escalade-V’s $149,990 (add $3000 to the ESV version) in the event that a lesser-powered however, similar-equipped Escalade Sports Platinum costs over $40,000 less. Yes, it’s true that the Sports Platinum lacks the V’s powerful sound and thrust however these attributes are not really relevant in the event that you allow General Motors’ Super Cruise hands-free driving assist to manage the brakes, steering, and the accelerator on certain split highways. The Escalade-V’s style doesn’t convey its more powerful features with its specific model-specific badges, wheels, fascias and red-painted brake calipers do not make it appear distinct in comparison to other Escalade models. In actuality, the V model is a sleeper that in reality, is unusual for a car that has enjoyed commercial success mostly due to its extravagant appearance. It took Cadillac more than 20 years to make the Escalade the treatment of a V. We hope that the company will not need as long to come up with a new version (or more than two) that appears and feels as extravagant as the 682-hp V-8 underneath the Escalade-V’s hood.