The Most Powerful Full-Size SUV Revealed: 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V
The Escalade roars into V-series status with a 6.2L V8 engine, 682 horsepower, and 653 pound-feet of torque.
Cadillac reserves its V-series designation for its most powerful, aggressive, and performance-minded vehicles. The venerable brand just announced its latest addition to the series, the 2023 Escalade-V.
This full-size luxury SUV can sprint to 60 mph from a standstill in under 4.4 seconds. That’s fast for any vehicle, no less a big, fully loaded machine like this.
“Customers and enthusiasts have asked for an Escalade-V, and we’re thrilled to bring this high-performance SUV to market in the year of Cadillac’s 120th anniversary,” said Global Cadillac VP Rory Harvey.
“We do not deploy the V-Series designation lightly. The arrival of the 2023 Escalade-V is the result of a rigorous development program that allows this highly anticipated model to meet the criteria and capability thresholds established by nearly two decades of inspired V-Series performance.”
2023 Escalade-V Powertrain
The Escalade-V 6.2L supercharged engine features aluminum cylinder heads with titanium intake valves, a forged steel crankshaft, steel connecting rods, and aluminum pistons. These upgraded internals help the engine contain its newfound power — 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque — as does the new 10-speed transmission. A massive 2.65L R2650 TVS supercharger sits atop that 6.2L V8, forcing it to take big gulps of air.
There’s little doubt that you’ll both hear and feel this big forced-induction powertrain roar when you mash the skinny pedal on the Escalade-V.
While GM claims the Escalade-V to be “the industry’s most powerful full-size SUV,” it’s not the top dog in terms of power for all SUVs. That honor currently resides with the just-released Aston Martin DBX707.
Style and Comfort for Days
Cadillac’s V-series is known for its potent blend of performance and styling, and the Escalade-V doesn’t disappoint. The vehicle earns style points for V-series-specific 22-inch wheels.
Unique fascias and Cadillac’s signature grille stand out on the highway, while a heated steering wheel, massaging seats, and semi-aniline leather level up the driving experience.
The Escalade-V boasts all-wheel-drive capability paired with an adaptive, four-wheel independent suspension that utilizes Escalade-V-specific hardware. The whole system is dialed in with damper hardware and software for a ride that trods the middle path between comfort and performance.
Using V-Mode, drivers can make the following adjustments:
- Suspension settings: Tour or Sport
- Steering: Tour or Sport, which feature unique steering calibrations
- Brake pedal feel: Tour or Sport
- Engine sound: Stealth, Tour, or Sport
- AWD: Tour, Sport, or Snow/Ice
- Engine performance: Tour, Sport, or Snow/Ice
Refined Technology in the Escalade-V
The 38-inch OLED display in the Escalade-V has twice the pixel density of a 4K television, and the technological perks get better from there. The AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker audio system and powerful hands-free driver-assistance technology are nifty.
But the augmented reality feature — which overlays navigational tools on top of a real-time video display on the center 14.2-inch center cluster display — really has us drooling.
Oh yeah, the latest Escalade also has the latest version of GM’s SuperCruise hands-free cruise control, which has automatic lane change and towing capabilities.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V will be available in late summer 2022 and will start at $149,999. You can find even more details and images on Cadillac.com.
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