Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Cadillac Escalade has long served as the brand’s flagship, its huge size and aggressive looks broadcasting its extroverted, red-blooded American take on luxury. Despite being based on the same underpinnings as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and the GMC Yukon, the Escalade makes a solid case as a competitor to other large luxury SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-class. That’s because the big Caddy features the brand’s most advanced technology and most luxurious features. Its cabin is lined with wood, leather, designer fabrics, and satin-finished metals. A large, curved display sweeps across the dashboard, serving as both a gauge cluster and an infotainment center. A host of driver-assistance features are available, including Cadillac’s excellent Super Cruise system, which combines adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode. Buyers can choose from a strong 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 or a diesel-powered inline-six, and this year Cadillac adds a wild high-performance V-series model with mega horsepower to the Escalade lineup. Time will tell if the new hi-po Escalade is an elephant that can dance, but given the brilliant athleticism of Cadillac’s recent Blackwing-powered sedans, color us hopeful.