Cadillac Escalade largest SUV is powered by a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and can deactivate half of its cylinders while cruising to save fuel; a 3.0-liter diesel inline-six is also available. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines, and buyers can choose between rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. Like its siblings, the current-generation Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon, the Escalade rides on an independent rear suspension that provides extra third-row legroom that was compromised in the rear-axle model.
High-end versions also offer air suspension with adaptive dampers. On our test track, the long-wheelbase 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV with the V-8 engine sprinted to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. The 277-hp diesel engine doesn’t offer nearly the straight-line performance of the standard V-8, but for some buyers that trade-off is worth the improved fuel economy and strong 460 lb-ft of low-end torque. For Escalade fans who need speed, only the V will do.