2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV may be a carryover model, but Cadillac did add a new Touring package and new standard safety features.

The Cadillac Escalade ESV is the brand’s entry into the full-size ultra-luxury SUV market. The Escalade ESV has an extended wheelbase and cargo area, making it the largest SUV in Cadillac’s lineup, sharing dimensions with the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL. For the 2022 model year, the Escalade ESV is in its fifth generation, though the first generation only offered the long-wheelbase Escalade and Cadillac didn’t call it an “ESV” at the time. The current generation arrived in the 2021 model year. The Escalade ESV seats up to eight passengers in three rows. It competes with the likes of the Lincoln Navigator, the BMW X7, and the Audi Q7.

The Escalade ESV is a throwback to the truck-based SUVs of the 1970s. It features a V8 engine mounted up front, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as the base driveline and four-wheel drive (4WD) as an option in all trim levels.

Five trims are offered for the 2022 Escalade ESV: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum. Each comes equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that makes 420 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. All trim levels are offered with the $1,600 option of a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline six-cylinder with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

The 6.2-liter V8 and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel are both mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. 4WD is an option on all of the Escalade ESV trim levels, for an extra charge of $3,000.

For 2022, the Escalade ESV is a carryover model with minimal changes. Lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning moved to the standard features list on the Luxury trim. Select trims are available with Cadillac’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving feature and rear automated emergency braking. The Touring package is new, adding air suspension, soft-close doors, and illuminated door sill protector plates, and is available on Premium Luxury and Sport models.

The Escalade ESV is available in nine colors. Black Raven is offered at no extra cost, while the six metallic colors add a $625 charge. Infrared Tintcoat and Crystal White Tricoat are both available at $1,225.

Option packages include three floor liner packages, the Cargo Convenience Package with black roof rack crossbars, a retractable cargo shade, and a cargo net ($855), and the Onyx Package with a gloss black nameplate, monochromatic Cadillac emblems and 22-inch 12-spoke gloss black alloy wheels ($2,895).

Standalone options are largely cosmetic items, like monochrome Cadillac emblems, a rear fascia protector, gloss black nameplates, body-color splash guards, black roof rack crossbars, and power-retractable assist steps with LED perimeter lighting.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV starts at $80,795 for the base Luxury trim with RWD. Premium Luxury starts at $89,595 and Sport at $92,595. Both Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum start at $107,095.