We test drove the new 2021 Cadillac Escalade that offers a great tech makeover to what was already a large and comfortable vehicle.
The Escalade is the largest vehicle Cadillac makes, and has positioned itself as the vehicle of choice for celebrities and politicians. It’s easy to see why – it’s American luxury at its best, coupled with an exceptionally roomy interior and a very comfortable drive. For 2021, Cadillac has given the Escalade a big makeover, making it extremely tech-heavy. Though it’s not an electric vehicle, it has all sorts of connectivity and entertainment options that would make any car manufacturer jealous. With a starting price of AED 325,000, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is more affordable than you’d expect. The model we tested was the Premium Luxury Platinum that costs AED 417,200 and features an incredible sound system along with rear screen entertainment. The best way to describe the design of the 2021 Escalade is that if you see it approaching in your rear-view mirror, you’re likely to get out of the way. The large and aggressive grill on the front demands attention while the LED lighting, including the signature droop, unmistakably makes it a Cadillac. The boxy back with long vertical LED lights aren’t a huge departure from the previous model and neither is the size. The Escalade 2021 is a behemoth, and will make the most experienced driver nervous while entering or exiting the winding narrow underground parking lots in Dubai. That large design does serve a purpose; an incredibly spacious interior. The model we received was equipped with pilot seats for the second row and a bench on the third. These middle row seats are extremely wide and offer plenty of legroom. You could also recline them to get super comfortable or fold them flat to get more room in the back. With the middle and third row folded, the 2021 Escalade offers a ridiculous amount of cargo space. Needless to say that a trip to Ikea will be nothing to worry about. There are also tons of USB ports all over the vehicle that will happily keep the phones and tablets of all family members charged, no matter which row they’re seated in. The first thing you notice when stepping into the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is the mesmerising 38-inch wide curved OLED screen that stretches from the driver’s side door to the inside edge of the passenger seat.
