[Taboleo] 'The Ultimate Protocol Vehicle' Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade, a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), has gained fame in the media as a ceremonial vehicle for prominent figures. From former and current presidents to celebrities and famous personalities, the Escalade has appeared at official events. The reasons why celebrities choose the Escalade include safety and functionality, but above all, its overwhelming presence due to its massive size and luxurious image played a key role.

Since the launch of the first-generation model in 1998, the Escalade has earned the nickname "King of SUVs" and established itself as Cadillac's flagship luxury model. The fifth-generation model, released domestically in 2021, has sold over 1,700 units cumulatively as of September this year. Even though the domestic imported car market recorded a decline for the first time in four years last year, Escalade sales actually increased. This is because it secured a distinct fan base that prefers bold and strong "American luxury." Earlier this month, we test-drove the fifth-generation Escalade to understand the direction Cadillac pursues with its "American luxury."

First, the car’s first impression overwhelms viewers with its exterior. With a massive size of 5,380mm in length, 2,060mm in width, and 1,945mm in height, it commands attention wherever it goes, giving a sense of "presence upon exit." Thanks to the nearly 2-meter height, getting in and out of the car might seem difficult, but the electric side steps that automatically lower when the door opens allow even shorter individuals to easily get on and off. Additionally, the "Air Ride Adaptive Suspension" is equipped, which can lower the vehicle height by up to 75mm during boarding, alighting, or parking.

The design concept is characterized by an impressive expression of "scale." The front features a sporty mesh gloss black grille that conveys dynamism, and all design elements are finished in "gloss black," emphasizing a three-dimensional and hefty image. At the rear, a massive tail lamp nearly 1 meter long is installed, and the wheels are large 22-inch rims that match the vehicle’s size.

Famous as a ceremonial vehicle, the real experience is in the rear seats. Premium leather is used throughout the interior, with wood and fabric materials applied in various places to create a warm atmosphere. Once seated in the second row, you feel a level of openness that is on a different dimension compared to other SUVs. Not only are the windows large, but the high seating position offers a wide field of view. Opening the panoramic sunroof on the roof maximizes this sense of openness.

The space between the front and rear seats is also generous. The fifth-generation model has a wheelbase about 130mm longer than the previous generation, significantly increasing legroom in the second and third rows. Passengers can comfortably endure long trips without feeling cramped, even in the third row. Folding the seats reveals a vast cargo area. Folding just the third row provides 2,065 liters of space, and folding both the second and third rows expands it to 3,427 liters.

What about driving performance? To move the hefty 2.8-ton Escalade, Cadillac equipped it with a 6.2-liter V8 gasoline direct injection engine. This engine delivers a powerful output of 426 horsepower and a maximum torque of 63.6 kg·m. We tested the V8 engine’s performance on the Jayuro highway. Sudden acceleration was handled effortlessly, and agile driving was possible. However, the noise generated by moving such a large engine must be accepted.

The new Escalade is equipped with the world’s first 38-inch LG curved OLED display. The wide display allows control of all vehicle functions through touch. Additionally, it is the first Cadillac model to feature augmented reality navigation. The large cluster displays the driving screen, with arrows and graphics overlaid to guide the route. The interface is quite intuitive and easy to understand.

The upgraded safety and convenience features also earned high marks. Parking is the biggest concern when driving such a large vehicle, as it is difficult to immediately detect blind spots or obstacles. To address this, the Escalade vibrates the seat to alert the driver when obstacles are detected while reversing. It also assists driving with sensor- and camera-based safety convenience features such as adaptive cruise control that automatically adjusts the distance from the car ahead, lane keeping assist, and automatic parking assist.

For those who want to drive a rare imported car that not just anyone can own, the Cadillac Escalade is worth considering. It is not simply a large vehicle but stands out as a ceremonial car that conveys respect to others. However, the price exceeding 150 million KRW and the reality of cramped domestic parking lots should be taken into account.

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