First Drive: 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV

FIRST IMPRESSION: The fifth-gen Cadillac Escalade receives minor tweaks over the MY25, but the granddaddy of industry SUVs still proves that it’s king of the road.

My, oh my, the competition is certainly simmering to a boil in the large SUV category, especially as technology bridges the gap between luxury and ultra-luxe. But if you’re even considering the Escalade, you already know why you’re justifying the higher purchase price: It’s what your clients demand. Yes, the badging does come with prestige, but the Escalade's finer touches are what make it a superior choice.

The model we tested was Platinum Luxury trim 4WD with the Touring package (which gave us power doors and an air ride adaptive suspension) and optional 24" wheels. If we’re being honest, those rims are really among the nicest in the MY26 lineup—but they are huge. The 22s come standard.

Now in its fifth generation after a complete redesign for the MY21, this year’s sees some extra embellishments and refinements over previous models. The biggie of them all is that Super Cruise is standard on the MY26. Cadillac’s version of hands-free driving will navigate those pre-mapped highways and even change lanes as needed without having to keep ten fingers on the wheel ... but the driver’s attention is always required. It will disengage if it detects that the driver is looking away too long or if it enters funky road conditions like heavy weather or construction. If you trust sensors and LiDAR even slightly more than your human driver, this just made your day.

Speaking of badging, you definitely won’t forget that you’re in a Cadillac. The legacy carmaker manages to sneak in the Cadillac or Escalade logo wherever you turn: on the steering wheel, illuminated in the door sills, on the exterior C-pillar, on leather seats, the front grille and tail, but also in the corner of the headlights and taillights, and, of course, in the puddle lighting as you approach the vehicle. You’re buying the Escalade for a reason, so you probably don't mind bragging a bit.

Back is the 6.2L V-8 engine with 420 horsepower, and boy, does she really clear her throat when accelerating smoothly to cruising speed. Unfortunately for diesel fans, that engine is no longer an option. Cadillac returns the shifter to the steering column, so don’t forget that your wipers are on the left-hand side (one of our testers may or may not have forgotten that). EPA estimates for fuel economy are 14 (city)/18 (highway)/16 (combined), which is on par with the previous Escalade we tested back in 2024.

Another feature we haven’t seen before: power-closing soft doors. Standard with higher trims and with the Touring package, you (or your passengers) can close or open the door with either a touch or swipe of a screen, or by simply using the door handle and letting the vehicle do the rest. The sensors prevent the door from fully swinging open or closed if there are obstructions, whether it’s a bag, another vehicle, or a limb. If you decide you’d like to turn off the feature, you’ll still be left with soft-closing doors that will stop any heavy-handed chauffeur or passenger from slamming.

The ESV also means that it’s a true full-size SUV with the cargo space to match. Not only can you fit normal-size adult humans in the third row comfortably, but you can haul all their luggage with them (you still get 41 cu. ft. of space with the third row intact!). Of course, the second row is where all the fun happens because those passengers get bucket seats and have control of the heating and cooling settings. Our test model also came with available infotainment screens and optional headphones, so those passengers could app it up during the ride.

If you remember the instrument displays of previous Escalade model years, you know that they’ve only gotten wider over time. Now it’s truly pillar-to-pillar worth of screens and information—a full 55 inches and curved. We, unfortunately, were stuck in “demo” mode for our test drive, so we couldn’t configure it the way we wanted. But what we saw was still enough to impress us with its clear and bright display. A smaller touchscreen in the center console controls heating and a few other vehicle settings like the power doors and heated/massage seats, while the roller wheel complements the touchscreen in the larger diagonal display so you can scroll though menus like a champ.

Many safety and convenience features are also standard, including lane departure warning/lane keep assist, emergency braking for front and rear cross traffic, rain-sensing wipers, gorgeous panoramic sunroof, automatic heated and telescoping steering wheel, hands-free power liftgate, power-retracting running boards with perimeter lighting (every model except for base), and rear camera view (ditto). Head-up display shows traffic and speed information so that eyes stay ahead, and all of us experienced the warnings (seat vibrations and visual alerts) of a potential front collision or a critter nearby. The parking assist cameras—surround, corner, and overhead—are still among the most useful and fascinating tools available.

As an aside, we were able to test the gas-powered Escalade against the electric-powered Escalade IQL, and you can really see the influence the EV has had over its fossil-fuel-drinking sibling. This is the closest the two powertrains have ever been, at least as far as options. You can look for our full review in the January 2026 issue of CD.

Bottom line: As the reigning godfather of full-size luxury SUVs, the 2026 Escalade is a beauty to look at and to ride in. There are a growing list of competitors in this vehicle class, but you know the difference between a 3.5-star hotel and a 5-star ... and so do your passengers.   [CD1225]