2019 Cadillac Escalade Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade is a full-size SUV that can comfortably seat up to seven passengers. It offers all of the utility features you would want from a large SUV. It wraps it up in the kind of luxury package that you would expect from a Cadillac. Riding inside of one of these beasts is like being inside of an upscale limo. At the same time, it has impressive power and can tow or venture off-road. It offers the perfect blend of function, style and comfort.
What's New For 2019?
The latest Cadillac Escalade is a continuation of the 4th generation of these vehicles. This version was first introduced back in 2015. Overall, there aren't many differences between the 2019 Escalade and the model from last year. The changes that do exist are relatively minor. Two colors have disappeared from the lineup. They have been replaced with Manhattan Noir and Shadow Metallic. A hands-free tailgate is now available. You can opt for a sport package this year with upgrades that have more to do with looks than actual performance.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Cadillac Escalade – The Pros
1. A Powerful V-8 Engine
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade gives you only one choice for an engine, and it's a real powerhouse. All models come equipped with a 6.2 liter, V-8. The engine is paired with a 10-speed, automatic-transmission system. It cranks out an impressive 420 hp with 460 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is surprisingly good for a vehicle of this size and weight. The Escalade comes in at around 5,600 pounds. The powerful engine does a great job of off-setting this weight. The power and torque add to the Escalade's towing capacity and off-road abilities.
2. Comfortable and Luxurious Interior
The inside of the Escalade is roomy and comfortable. The seats, in particular, are well made, supportive and cozy. Everything on the inside of the Escalade is made with high-quality materials. Seats can be had with fine-leather upholstery. You can get leather trim on a number of things such as the shift knob. Even the plastic surfaces are made with a quality that is higher than usual. You can even choose built-in massagers for the seats on the Platinum model.
3. Tons of Cargo and Passenger Space
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade provides plenty of space for whatever you need to haul around. Whether it's people, cargo or a combination, the Escalade can get it done. Seven adults can fit into an Escalade with head, leg and elbow room to spare. The rear seats aren't just for your small children, as is the case with many SUVs. Behind the third row, you have around 15 cubic-feet to stow away your goods. You can get 51.6 cubic-feet behind the second row. With the seats down, it offers a whopping 94.2 cubic-feet of space. If that's not enough, the ESV model provides for 120.9 cubic-feet of storage.
4. Excellent Towing Capacity
The luxury interior and comfortable ride makes the Escalade amazing for long road trips. It's also quite capable of hauling a boat or trailer along for some fun. When properly equipped, a 2WD Escalade can tow up to 8,300 lbs. The 4WD models come in a bit lower at around 8,100 lbs. That's not too big of a difference, and the trade off is better off-road and extreme-weather performance.
5. Real Off-Road Capability
It might seem like an odd idea to take a luxury vehicle off of the paved roads. The 2019 Cadillac Escalade is certainly capable of this if you need it to be. Whoever said you can't have off-road performance and luxury at the same time? The V-8 engine has plenty of power and torque to propel you over rough terrain. An available 4WD model takes your off-road adventures to the next level. The Escalade naturally has good ground clearance to accommodate some off-road fun.
6. Impressive Ride Quality
The ride quality inside of an Escalade needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Part of this is simply due to the comfortable seats and the spacious interior, but there's more to it than that. Cadillac does a good job of noise proofing the interior so you can't hear the engine or road noise. There's very little body roll and the suspension system keeps you from feeling any bumps in the road.
7. Premium, High-tech Infotainment System
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade has fantastic sound and infotainment systems. It provides a WiFi hotspot that works up to 50 ft around the vehicle. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are both available. A premium Bose system with 16 speakers ensure your music sounds amazing from every corner of the interior. The 8-inch touchscreen provides clear graphics and information. You can also opt for a Blu-ray system so passengers can be entertained on long drives.
8. Full of Innovative Safety Features
Cadillac has added in a ton of high-tech safety features to protect you and your passengers. A rear-view camera is located on the rear-view mirror. This greatly helps to mitigate the blind spots that would normally be present in the mirror for such a large vehicle. Blind-spot monitors, six airbags and active lane control are all standard as well.
9. Brash Yet Refined Exterior Styling
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade has an exterior style that stands apart from the pack. It captures the rugged, aggressive style that many look for in an SUV. It also manages to evoke an elegance found in the best of luxury vehicles. There's an interesting balance to the Cadillac style that makes it truly unique.
10. Good Steering and Handling
Steering and handling is great in the 2019 Escalade. Braking is firm and stops the 5,600 lbs vehicle in a safe distance. Steering is tight, accurate and responsive. The engine provides plenty of power when you need to pass someone on the highway. Overall, it's a fun SUV to drive.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Cadillac Escalade – The Cons
1. Cadillac's Escalade is a Gas Guzzler
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade will cost you plenty at the pump. That's not really something unique to the Escalade though. The same can be said for most large SUVs. It's something to consider when deciding what vehicle to buy. Still, many consider it a fair trade off for a vehicle that is big enough to haul around passengers and goods. For a big family, it can be a necessity to have an SUV nowadays. The Escalade only gives you the option for a thirsty V-8. You will get around 14 mpg driving in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
2. It Can Get a Bit Pricey
The Cadillac Escalade doesn't come cheap. This is true of most SUVs, especially luxury-oriented models. You get plenty of high-quality materials, creature comforts and luxury features in the Escalade. These all come at a high price. If you choose a higher-tier trim package or add on a lot of options, the cost can quickly get out of hand. It's a fantastic vehicle if you can afford it, but the cost may be prohibitive for some.
3. A High and Uneven Cargo Floor
Loading up the 2019 Cadillac Escalade is more difficult than it should be. This is due to the cargo floor being too high and somewhat uneven. If you're constantly hauling around cargo, this may be an issue. It's not the worst setup among SUVs but is still something to be aware of. Throwing groceries or light items in the back is no big deal. If you don't need to load heavy objects on a regular basis, you may barely notice this at all.
How the 2019 Cadillac Escalade Stacks up to the Competition
The full-size SUV market is a crowded field. Cadillac brings a rare level of luxury and elegance to this class of vehicles. Its top competitors for 2019 are the GMC Yukon, Land Rover Range Rover and the Lincoln Navigator. GMC's Yukon presents an interesting alternative to the Escalade. It's essentially the same vehicle, Cadillac being a GMC brand. Depending on the trim level, it may even be cheaper than an Escalade. The Cadillac offers more luxury options and higher-quality materials for the interior.
Next up is the Land Rover Range Rover. If you're looking for performance and off-road fun, then the Range Rover is a good choice. The Escalade is no slouch in these areas, but the Range Rover edges it out in those categories. The Escalade provides more room for passengers and a higher level of comfort, quality and luxury. It strikes a better balance between utility and comfortable daily driving. This is also one of the few times that the Cadillac Escalade is less expensive that a competing SUV.
Last of all, we have the Lincoln Navigator. Many see this SUV as the main competitor and nemesis of the Cadillac Escalade. This is largely due to Lincoln making luxury a priority in the Navigator. If you want the power, performance and utility of an SUV in a luxury package, these two vehicles should be at the top of your list. The performance specs and ability between the two is really close. The Escalade edges out the Navigator when it comes to style and comfort.
In Conclusion
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade is a great vehicle to take on long road trips. The ride quality, comfort and interior-luxury appointments are hard to beat. It offers plenty of room for passengers, and none of them will ever feel cramped or uncomfortable. It has a style that can best be described as old-school rugged meets high-class luxury. It's almost guaranteed to make you the envy of your neighbors. The Escalade also features impressive power, towing capacity and off-road performance. If you want to take this luxury vehicle off the beaten path or put it to work, you can. If you're in the market for a luxury SUV, the Cadillac Escalade is a fantastic choice.
