Cadillac Escalade 2019 Automatic

All Escalades use a 6.2-liter V-8 engine rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, substantial numbers that help offset its hefty 5,600-pound curb weight. The V-8’s prodigious power output endows it with excellent acceleration from a stop and good passing power. That engine is aided by a quick and usually smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. In certain situations, the transmission can find itself in the wrong gear, but it usually corrects itself quickly. The standard magnetic dampers quell road imperfections with aplomb despite the big wheels and short tire sidewalls and make the Escalade more comfortable through sweeping highway curves compared to its mainstream-brand siblings.

Quick, well-weighted steering helps, although there’s no escaping the reality of its tall design when it comes to a winding byway. Strong brakes bring things to a halt with considerable nose-dive. Underneath its flashy body, the Escalade features throwback body-on-frame construction with a simple live axle at the rear. That simple design pairs well with the Escalade’s V-8 engine to provide it with ample towing capacity—as high as 8,300 pounds—and a confident feel with a trailer attached. The 2019 Cadillac Escalade earns points for its all-day comfort up front, its voluminous cargo capacity, and its quality furnishings especially in the Platinum trim level.