2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Cadillac Escalade and the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV both get a new, high-performance trim for 2023.

The Cadillac Escalade ESV is the long-wheelbase version of the Escalade large luxury SUV. The Escalade ESV increases interior space while retaining the same capabilities that help the model compete with the likes of the Lincoln Navigator and the Land Rover Range Rover.

What’s New for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV

For 2023, the Cadillac Escalade lineup gets a new, high-performance Escalade-V trim level, which can be upfitted into the long-wheelbase ESV body style. The Escalade (including the ESV line) was last fully redesigned for the 2021 model year, and in 2022, it got some simple changes to the trim lineup and features menu.

Design

The Escalade is big; the Escalade ESV, even bigger. This extended-wheelbase variant adds 14 inches to the SUV’s overall length, for a total of 18.9 feet, which looks simply massive on the road and adds significant interior volume both in terms of passenger space and cargo capacity. For unique exterior styling upgrades, consider the top-tier Sport Platinum, Premium Luxury Platinum, or Escalade-V trims.

Powertrain

The base Escalade ESV comes with a 6.2-liter V8 engine rated for 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. From there, you can upgrade to a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft or a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft. All three engines get a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) comes standard, and four-wheel drive (4WD) is available. For the best fuel economy ratings, go for the turbodiesel six-cylinder, which is estimated for up to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with RWD. Towing capacity tops out at 8,200 pounds when properly equipped.

Interior

The Cadillac Escalade ESV stretches the standard three-row luxury SUV’s cabin out, adding more than a foot of interior space. It can be configured to seat seven or eight people, and there’s room for adults in all three rows. Synthetic leather upholstery, 12-way power front seats, heated front row and second-row outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and power-folding second and third rows all come standard. You can upgrade with leather upholstery, cooled front seats, front seats with more adjustability and massage functions, a panoramic sunroof, and a refrigerator and freezer that take the place of the center console. Cargo space for the ESV model checks in at 41.5 cubic feet, or a total of 142.8 cubic feet with all seats folded down.

Technology

The 2023 Escalade ESV’s standard tech features across the lineup include a 16.9-inch infotainment touch screen, a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless device charging, and a 19-speaker stereo system. It can be upgraded with a 36-speaker stereo system and a rear-row entertainment system with a pair of 12.6-inch touch screen displays.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Cadillac Escalade an overall rating of four out of five stars. Note that the Escalade ESV is not tested separately. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not evaluated the 2023 Escalade.

Every 2023 Escalade ESV comes standard with a reversing camera, a 360-degree camera, forward-collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, front and rear pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, a vibrating safety-alert seat, and GM’s Teen Driver system to set limits for younger drivers. Safety options include blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, night vision, a rear camera mirror, and a head-up display (HUD).

Pricing

As of this writing, Cadillac charges $3,000 to turn any Escalade trim into an ESV model. That means listed pricing starts at $82,295 for the base Escalade Luxury ESV and goes up to $108,595 for the top-tier Escalade Sport Platinum ESV and Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum ESV models. The high-performance Escalade-V ESV starts at $152,195. There are numerous packages available throughout the lineup.