2018 Cadillac Escalade Review

Dinosaurs no longer rule the Earth, and as a result, the 2018 Cadillac Escalade has had to evolve.

Whereas truck-based, body-on-frame SUVs were once the pinnacle of the full-size SUV segment, the algal bloom of utility vehicles that has spread across the entire industry has produced big haulers that drive smaller, leaving remnants like the Escalade and its few remaining competitors — the Lincoln Navigator, the Lexus LX 570, and the Infiniti QX80 — as the sole survivors of a bygone era.

That being said, the process of natural selection dictates that the strong survive and the weak perish, which can only mean that the Cadillac Escalade is good enough (or profitable enough) to survive the onslaught of more refined SUV designs. Here’s how Caddy’s biggest, most boisterous bruiser has avoided being trapped in amber.

The end result is a remarkably plush ride that befits the Cadillac’s throwback image as a rec room on wheels. Even Montreal’s prodigious speed bump situation did little to unsettle the Escalade as it relentlessly strode towards its next target — the valet station of a Michelin-starred restaurant, a parking space miraculously large enough to contain its bulk, a gas station — like some kind of unstoppable chrome-rimmed Terminator.

While potholes and subcompacts largely disappear under the Escalade’s 22’s, what the magic of magnets can’t fully dial-out is the Cadillac’s ponderous weight. Hustle the SUV at higher speeds and you don’t notice it quite as much, but around town the weight and destroyer-like dimensions of the vehicle inform every steering input as you elephant-toe around the automotive mice infesting the road around you. It’s not enough to deter one from purchasing the Escalade, but it is a notable artifact of its design not experienced quite as readily from its European rivals.

Of course, that’s assuming you’re cross-shopping the Cadillac Escalade against similarly priced luxury crossover fare like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Audi Q7 to begin with. It’s not a straight shot from the domestic to the import showroom because the Escalade out-muscles each of those rides when it comes time to go to work. With a towing capacity of 8,300 lbs — 800 lbs more than you can haul with the Silver Star-wearing three-row option, and 600 over the Audi — plus the predictable power delivery of its 6.2-liter, torque-happy V8 engine, the Cadillac stands somewhat apart for those seeking a plush, yet still task-focused rig.

The eight-cylinder’s 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque are sufficiently authoritative with the pedal down, and optional all-wheel drive (standard in Canada) keeps the truck sure-footed even in the wintry mix of snow and ice it had to deal with during its time in my care. A new 10-speed automatic transmission debuts for the 2018 Escalade and it was so transparent in operation I had no idea last year’s excellent eight-speed had fled the scene until I double-checked the build sheet.

ALSO SEE: 2018 Infiniti QX80 Review

Avail yourself of the power-folding third row found in the Escalade, and you’ll see the truck put more distance between itself and the Q7 when it comes to cargo capacity, boasting 94.2 cubic feet of storage versus just over 70 from the German offering. The GLS is essentially a match for the standard-wheelbase Escalade like the one in this review, but should you wish to activate the nuclear option, there’s the even-larger Escalade ESV, which brings 120.9 cubes into the picture (along with significantly more legroom for third-row passengers). Either model still requires you to clear the Cadillac’s rather high load floor, however, a side effect of the previously mentioned in-floor seat storage.

Materials found throughout the Escalade’s cabin, at least in Platinum trim, are on par with what you would expect from a near-six-figure automobile from any luxury brand. For the most part, the rest of the cabin’s atmosphere is also a strong match for its imported in-country market-mates, although the Infiniti QX80’s interior wow-factor outshines the Escalade when it comes to details.

ALSO SEE: 2018 Lincoln Navigator Review and First Drive

All of the features you’d expect to find are present and accounted for as well, including surround sound audio, a power liftgate, standard leather (rather than MB-Tex) upholstery throughout the vehicle, massaging (and heated, and cooled) seats, rear seat entertainment, and of course Cadillac’s full suite of active safety gear. This includes an automated parking system that I was too intimidated to use, but which may alleviate the reverse-anxiety some drivers have when faced with such a large vehicle. I did employ the adaptive cruise control in heavy traffic and found it a nice break from stop-and-go tedium.

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is far from an anachronism and it would be a mistake to think that there’s no longer any place on the luxury landscape for the iconic silhouette of the brand’s undisputed flagship. Comfortable, useful, and quick for its size, the Escalade represents an attitude shift from cross-ocean offerings while still delivering much brighter badge recognition than the Navigator.

In fact, the Escalade’s biggest challenger comes not from without, but within: the GMC Yukon Denali is very nearly as plush, and mechanically identical, for much less money. Having two top-tier ‘utes facing off in the same the stable might seem like somewhat of an issue for General Motors, but as problems go, it’s hard to think of a better one to have.

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