2022 Cadillac Escalade Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The Cadillac Escalade is a vehicle that inspires awe from many drivers. Not only does it have the space needed to be an incredibly practical choice, but it also has the reputation for luxury that many people are after. For the 2022 Escalade, Cadillac gets many things right. At the same time, there are definite red flags to keep in mind when browsing this vehicle. Do the pros outweigh the cons for the Escalade? Take a look for yourself.

What's New for 2022?

For 2022, Cadillac gives the Escalade even more safety features for drivers to enjoy. The base model now comes equipped with lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. All other trims are adding the exciting Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system to their lists of standard equipment. Other than that, the only major change involves the available paint colors. Two previously available options, known as Dark Mocha Metallic and Shadow Metallic, have been retired. Meanwhile, Galatic Gray Metallic, Wilder Metallic, and Mahogany Metallic have joined the list.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Cadillac Escalade – The Pros

1. Incredible Cargo Space

There is no getting around it - the 2022 Cadillac Escalade is huge. There are an impressive 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row and nearly 73 cubic feet behind the second row. With both back rows down, the Escalade has 121 cubic feet of cargo space. If that somehow is not enough, there is also the ESV model to consider. It has 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 94 cubic feet behind the second row, and nearly 143 cubic feet behind the first row.

2. Upscale Interior with High-End Finishes

Luxurious is one of the first words that come to mind when you look at the cabin of the Escalade. Tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel are all standard. Both front seats come equipped with 12-way power adjustment with power lumbar control. The synthetic leather upholstery is plush, and higher trim levels upgrade to the real deal. Power-folding second and third-row seats are even included on the standard feature list.

3. Plenty of Room for the Whole Family

In its standard configuration, the Escalade has seating for up to seven. If you prefer, the second-row captain's chairs can be switched out for a second-row bench, which will bring the seating capacity up to eight. Either way, the head and legroom in all three rows are generous. Even the third row will be comfortable for adults to stretch out in.

4. Satisfying Acceleration from the Standard V8

The 2022 Escalade comes standard with a 6.2L V8 engine. This allows the large SUV to pump out 420-horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Drivers will find that this is enough power to get this large SUV moving from a stop, and it gives them plenty of acceleration when they are trying to merge on the highway. This engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive standard. Four-wheel drive is also available.

5. All of the Technology a Driver Could Want

Technology is increasingly important in vehicles. Luckily for the Escalade, Cadillac loads all 2022 models with most of the features currently out there. A 16.9-inch touchscreen immediately grabs the attention of anyone who sits down inside, and a 19-speaker audio system comes standard for your music-listening pleasure. Other standard technology features are popular items like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. Wireless device charging is also included, along with both HD and satellite radio. Available technology features for the Escalade in 2022 include a 36-speaker sound system and a rear-seat entertainment system that includes two 12.6-inch screens.

6. Comfortable Ride on Most Surfaces

Large vehicles sometimes have difficulty when it comes to handling. The 2022 Escalade is actually quite composed, and the body roll when corning is nearly nonexistent. Sharp steering makes it easy to enjoy driving the Escalade, and the suspension can soak up even larger bumps in the road.

7. Super Cruise is Available on Most Trims

Super Cruise is being applauded as one of the best semi-autonomous driving systems out there. It can maintain the distance behind the Escalade and the vehicle ahead, while also keeping the SUV centered in its lane and handling some light steering. This feature is now standard on all but the entry-level versions of the Escalade at no extra charge.

8. Impressive Standard Safety Feature List

Even if you decide to stick with the entry-level Escalade Luxury, you will be getting an SUV that is packed with cutting-edge safety features. Common items, such as lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic braking, are all included. All models of the 2022 Escalade are also equipped with a surround-view camera system, along with front and rear parking sensors. These features come in handy when trying to park a vehicle as large as the Escalade. Stepping up to the Premium Luxury trim will mean also getting blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display, along with parallel and perpendicular parking assist.

9. Bold Exterior Design

The Cadillac Escalade is not meant to blend in with the crowd. Instead, this beast of a vehicle comes standard with 22-inch wheels. The three-foot-tall LED taillamps are sure to leave a lasting impression when you drive away, and the aggressive design of the front sport grille helps this Cadillac make an entrance. With color options like Black Raven, Mahogany Metallic, and Infrared, the Escalade could not be boring if it tried.

10. Available Diesel Powertrain

There is one available engine option for the 2022 Escalade. Buyers can opt for a 3.0L turbo V6 diesel that will create 277-horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine is more fuel-efficient than the standard V8 while still giving you plenty of power. It also does not cost any extra, making the diesel even more appealing to many drivers.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Cadillac Escalade – The Cons

1. Fuel Economy Estimates are Pitiful

When the standard engine is underneath the hood, drivers are looking at only 15mpg in the city and 20mpg on the highway if they stick with rear-wheel drive. Going with a four-wheel-drive model will mean going down to just 14mpg city and 19mpg highway. Those are pretty sad numbers, even for the large SUV class. The diesel does quite a bit better, with estimates coming in at 21mpg city and 27mpg highway with rear-wheel drive and 20mpg city and 26mpg highway with four-wheel drive.

2. Incredibly High Starting Price

The 2022 Escalade is going to cost over $76,000. This is quite pricey, despite the impressive number of standard features. Buyers can find top trims of non-luxury large SUVs with many similar features for much less. On the other hand, the Escalade is priced competitively when only comparing it to other "luxury" brands.

3. NHTSA Gives this SUV Only Four Stars

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests new vehicles in many categories related to how they will respond in a crash. For the 2022 Cadillac Escalade, the overall score awarded was four out of five stars. Side crash testing resulted in five stars, while frontal crash testing saw the SUV getting four stars. For the rollover testing, however, the Escalade got only three out of five stars, something that may cause buyers to hesitate.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The new Navigator has a lot of things going for it. Its standard twin-turbo V6 makes the Navigator a bit more fun to drive than the Escalade. The luxurious option from Lincoln also has extras like leather upholstery on its standard feature list. On the other hand, the Escalade has far more cargo space. Both of these SUVs are good choices, however, due to their generous technology features and smooth rides.

2022 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS

When it comes to powerful engines that will truly thrill those behind the wheel, the GLS is hard to beat. Like the Escalade, the GLS also offers a smooth ride and satisfying handling. In favor of the Escalade are things like its towing capacity and interior space. The right choice between these two will depend largely on an individual's priorities for their new three-row SUV.

Conclusion

Moving forward, Cadillac may want to part ways with its gas-guzzling V8 in favor of something more efficient. Ideally, this can be achieved without having to sacrifice the power or satisfying drive that people associate with the Escalade. The low safety scores should also be addressed if this SUV wants to remain appealing to families. Overall, however, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade is an excellent choice with far more perks than drawbacks.