America has seemingly not let off the gas pedal when it comes to large body-on-frame SUVs, and in the luxury landscape, things are keeping at a steady pace for those willing to spend six figures for such a vehicle. Cadillac seems to know this all too well, which is why the new Escalade has been positioned at the upper echelon of luxury SUVs with a myriad of features to impress and appease the most discerning luxury buyer.
I knew Cadillac had something special years ago, but now, they’ve pushed the envelope even farther with the recent 2025 model year refresh that I experienced months ago. Now, getting the new 2026 Escalade in with a couple of software updates, I am even more enamored of this large-and-in-charge vehicle to become the king of the hill for its segment, possibly edging out the new Lincoln Navigator.
Getting into the new Cadillac Escalade, I already have my expectations high, but with the refreshed model, and surprisingly, my expectations are once again met and somewhat surpassed. I mean, this thing has power opening and closing doors, all four of them. Having such a feature, I know there’s a lot involved with such a vehicle as this feature alone is a rarity and was only found in the likes of Rolls-Royce and maybe the Genesis G90 as another push into the field of opulence. Apart from a trick feature, the new Escalade brings many proven aspects that just work in an expected and appeasing fashion, such as its returned 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque mated to a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.
See Also: 2025 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport 4wD Review & Test Drive
Performance for such a large SUV, even with the standard wheelbase of my test vehicle, is mostly what I would expect, but there’s an added assurance of unfounded stability, which I attribute to the millisecond-reacting magnetic dampers that keep the large SUV composed and smooth over most road surfaces. Combined with the air suspension that continually adjusts to keep the body level and at the right height, the new Escalade Platinum Sport is one of the best riding vehicles of its kind, nearly eliminating previous generation body jiggles as you ride over road imperfections. Cadillac certainly did its homework here.
Fuel consumption remains somewhat of a sore spot, but the figures remain consistent, at least matching the EPA estimates of 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined, all in the real world. Thankfully, there’s a decently sized 24-gallon tank to fill up with the recommended premium fuel for a 432-mile cruising range on the highway.
While I said much about the new Escalade earlier this year with the 2025 model year, it’s refreshing to get a 2026 model year vehicle in with a slightly lower price point in knowing that an Escalade is still obtainable for many if you don’t go too crazy with the options list. Still, my test vehicle demands a hefty price, but coming short of being fully loaded, you can see the benefits still shine through with a shorter options list and still get the demanding presense all with the larger 24-inch wheels.
The interior space, much of what is expected out of a large luxury SUV, has a plush theme that’s accentuated by high-quality materials throughout, with the one exception being the lower door trim still consisting of hard plastics. Otherwise, the new Escalade has an inviting and tech-forward cabin that’s flanked by its attention-grabbing 55-inch screen that nearly spans the width of the vehicle. Cadillac did the screen justice for its layout and functionality, where the steering wheel is still placed in a traditional position, overlaying the screen, where information is cleverly displayed to see through the top portion of the heated and power-adjustable steering wheel. While the center part of the infotainment screen can be a far reach for some, there’s a welcomed redundancy of controls through the central wheel at the center console, along with a separate waterfall touchscreen to interact with commonly used functions and access to a plethora of other vehicle features, including the power-opening/closing doors.
Thankfully, Cadillac retains wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration through this model year on the gas-powered Escalade, which plays nicely with the new large screen. The front passenger gets to enjoy their own screen as part of the massively wide screen setup, where if they start utilizing the entertainment or streaming functions, it then becomes hidden from the driver to avoid distraction. The second-row touchscreens behind the front seat headrests add to the number of screens to also provide entertainment and streaming features.
Cadillac, for the second year, offers up executive seating through an option package for the second row seats, providing ventilation, massaging functions, and tray tables, along with a center touchscreen for certain functions like the climate control and power opening/closing doors. My test vehicle this time around did not have this package, but the captain’s chairs with their heating proved to still be quite luxurious and perform the expected folding action to provide access to the large third row seating.
Cadillac now leaves hardly any stones unturned in the new Escalade, even offering up the latest SuperCruise hands-free driving system that proves to be among the best in the business for driving hands-free on pre-mapped roads. Other safety features come in handy to be somewhat unique in offering a decent 360-degree camera system and blind spot monitor display that loads a live image of the blind spot in the center screen upon signaling. The augmented reality display and overlays for the navigation are all innovative features to aid in mapping, whether using the native navigation system or through your smartphone to display the mapping from apps like Waze or Google Maps directly on the driver’s digital gauge cluster area of the wide screen.
The elevation of luxury is apparent in the new Escalade, and Cadillac attempts to keep things civil, considering how the pricing of other vehicles has been inflated over recent years. With that, the new Escalade in its base trim starts at $91,100, which is up about $3,000 from last year’s nearly identical model year. Moving up to the top Escalade Platinum Sport trim, you’ll expect a price of at least $123,00 with my test vehicle and its Onyx Package and Vibrant White Tricoat paint to come in at $131,970, which includes a $2,595 destination charge.
Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice in the automotive media world for over two decades. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a reputation for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Passionate about the evolving car culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to lead Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
