There’s an old saying that goes, “there are Cadillacs, and then there is the Escalade.” The full-size luxury SUV is not only the brand’s flagship, but it’s also a platform for Cadillac to display its technological and design chops, and the latest versions of the Escalade show both to a high degree. The SUV entered its fifth generation in 2021, which brought a diesel engine option and a boatload of new tech that made the Escalade a forward-looking luxury powerhouse
The 2023 model year brings the release of the Escalade V-Series, the first performance SUV for Cadillac. Though it will look like an Escalade, the V-Series should derive immense power from a supercharged V8 engine, and the super ‘ute will also get go-fast suspension and handling bits.
The Cadillac Escalade got a full refresh for the 2021 model year that retained the luxo-barge’s trademark styling but added length and smoothed out the sharp edges from years past. As part of the newly minted fifth-generation Escalade line, the V-Series shares more than a passing resemblance with its “lesser” counterparts. Black exterior accents are plentiful, with acres of the stuff covering the rocker panels, lower bumpers, front air vents, and side window trim. Other than subtle trim, the only indications that something special is happening are the “V” badges on the front quarter panels, sporty wheels, and red brake calipers.


