Manoli Katakis 
Reservations are now open for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV, per the brand’s website. Currently, Cadillac says that first deliveries won’t happen until “late 2021.” The timeline was originally sooner, but like with everything else, the coronavirus pandemic has pushed things back.
Cadillac disclosed pricing information on the new Escalade with dealers earlier this month, with the MSRP increasing slightly on the bottom end, and by several thousand dollars at the high end.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade price starts at $77,490 for the Luxury trim, a price jump of $1,000. The longer ESV model of the same trim is $80,490, which is $500 more than before. Above the base level is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury and Sport models, starting at $84,290 and $86,690 respectively. At the top, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum models start at a whopping $101,290. That’s $8,000 more than before.
And while that sounds like a lot, Cadillac has already hinted to us that they could be looking at levels of luxury beyond the Platinum trim level. Which, if you ask us, is the right thing to do.
The centerpiece of the all-new interior is a multilayered, curved 38-inch diagonal OLED screen. It’s an industry-first implementation that delivers some of the sharpest, the most color range, and most contrasting resolutions found in the industry, largely thanks to GM’s new Global B electrical architecture that allows for faster processing power, crisper resolutions, and richer colors. And in perfect Escalade fashion, it’s also the biggest OLED screen you can find in any automobile on the planet.
While the technology was a focus this go-around, the cabin of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offers eight color and trim choices depending on the configuration, which include unique seat designs, with custom perforation and quilting patterns. Also inside is an optional 36 speaker AKG sound system, a beverage chiller, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology, augmented reality enabled navigation, and soft-close doors.
Mechanically, the new Escalade features independent rear suspension for the first time ever in the nameplate’s history. In effect, both third row passenger room and ride comfort are greatly improved compared to before.
Under the hood will be a 420 hp, 460 lb-ft 6.2L L87 V8 as standard, with a segment exclusive 277 hp 460 lb-ft LM2 3.0L Duramax Diesel engine as a no cost option. This is a pricing strategy that’s currently observed in both the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2020 GMC Sierra 1500; pricing for the L87 and LM2 are the same on trim levels that offer both engines. Like the Escalade, this pricing strategy is expected on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, as well as the 2021 GMC Yukon family.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade will be built in Arlington, Texas with the rest of GM’s fresh line of T1-platform utility vehicles. Production may commence within the next two weeks, permitting that GM and governments give the all-clear.
