New 2022 Cadillac Escalade Price, Release Date, Sport – Size matters, and that applies to the Cadillac Escalade more than the majority of other vehicles on the road. It’s instantly recognizable as an Escalade, which is perhaps its greatest stylistic achievement, but the details have been smartened up nicely. The headlights, which were inspired by the stunning Escalade Concept, are now smaller horizontal LED units, and they flow into the giant grille. On Luxury/Premium trims, the grille is studded with a chrome finish, while Sport/Sport Platinum versions have a black mesh grille. Lower down are dramatic vertical lighting elements that further emphasize the upright stance. The rear styling hasn’t changed too much, although, along the sides, the beltline that kicks up towards the rear is a subtle touch that differentiates this model from its predecessor. All versions ship with a hands-free power liftgate, and most have a panoramic sunroof. 22-inch wheels are standard across the range, and it’s saying a lot that they don’t look that large since they’re surrounded by acres of sheet metal.
New 2022 Cadillac Escalade Redesign
Exterior
On all trims, there is a choice of eight colors. It’s no surprise that the sinister Dark Raven is the only shade that doesn’t cost extra because is there anything more appropriate (and intimidating) than a black Escalade? If anyone thinks there is, there are seven premium colors to choose from. The metallics go for $625 each and include Satin Steel, Shadow, Sandstone, Dark Moon Blue, and Dark Mocha. At $1,225 each, Infrared Tint coat and Crystal White Tint coat are also offered. It may be a pricey option, but we think Infrared Tint coat is the best choice.
Interior
The changes to the latest Escalade’s cabin are substantially more dramatic than the exterior redesign. It’s a truly lavish environment with top-notch materials, loads of high-tech features, and much more passenger space than ever before. An industry-first curved OLED driver display dominates the dashboard and is beautiful to look at, but Cadillac smartly hasn’t dispensed with physical controls for the ventilation system. A longer wheelbase and the implementation of an independent rear suspension work together to free up more cargo space and a 40-percent increase in third-row legroom. Leatherette upholstery and 12-way power-adjustable front seats are standard on the entry-level trim, along with heated seats in the first two rows, tri-zone climate control, remote start, and a hands-free power liftgate. Upper trims have soft-close doors, a panoramic sunroof, and an AKG Studio Reference sound system with an astounding 36 speakers.
The Cadillac Escalade is amongst the largest vehicles available right now, with seating for up to eight individuals, or seven if you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs. By switching to a new independent rear suspension, Cadillac managed to increase passenger space in all except the first row, which shrinks marginally compared to last year’s model. In the standard-wheelbase model, 2nd-row passengers get 41.7 inches of legroom (an increase of 2.7 inches) while third-row occupants have 34.9 inches (an increase of 10.1 inches) to stretch their legs. Should you need even more space, the ESV increases third-row legroom to 36.6 inches (an increase of 2.1 inches from last year’s ESV).
New 2022 Cadillac Escalade Engine
The big news for the 2022 Escalade is the addition of an available 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine, which unfortunately wasn’t available for our test. This powertrain won’t add anything to the cost of the Escalade, so customers are free to choose whether they prefer the driving characteristics of the turbodiesel over the more conventional 6.2-liter V8, which produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel’s outputs are 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, so we expect the more potent V8 to deliver better acceleration in exchange for fuel economy. If you can’t see the appeal of a diesel Escalade, just remember that diesel engines love sitting idle, and a lot of these cars see the use for limo services.
Each engine comes paired with GM’s outstanding ten-speed automatic transmission that is electronically controlled and features a tow/haul mode. It paired well with the V8 engine in our test vehicle, delivering smooth shifts and appropriate responsiveness. With so many gears, the 10-speed keeps the V8 happy in its powerband, and with so much torque on tap, it rarely needs to drop gears and rev out for passing maneuvers.
New 2022 Cadillac Escalade Price And Release Date
Despite the many ways in which the 2022 Cadillac Escalade is improved over its predecessor, it isn’t much more expensive. That said, this level of space and luxury doesn’t come cheap. The base Luxury costs $76,195, and that’s before tax, licensing, and registration costs, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Following this is the Premium Luxury at $82,995 and the Sport at $85,595. Topping the lineups are the Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims which, although styled differently, carry the same MSRP of $99,995. Upgrading to either 4WD or the long-wheelbase ESV will further inflate the price. On the base Escalade, 4WD will add a further $3,000 to the bill. The base Escalade ESV Luxury starts at $79,195, a $3,000 increase over the equivalent shorter model. A fully loaded Cadillac Escalade ESV Sports Platinum with 4WD and all the options ticked will cost over $120,000. Fortunately, the diesel option is a no-cost one to select.