Cadillac Escalade: Which Should You Buy, 2021 or 2022?

Most significant changes: All trim levels get safety feature that prevents driver from shifting out of Park until they buckle up; lane departure warning with steering assist now standard (previously available only with higher trims)

Pricing: $77,990 to start for base Luxury trim, increasing to more than $100,000 as you ascend four higher trims; prices up $100 on Luxury and $1,000 to $1,700 on higher echelons

On sale: Now 

Which should you buy, 2021 or 2022? The additional standard safety features and modest $100 price increase make a 2022 Escalade a better buy if you’re shopping for the Luxury trim. If you’re shopping higher trims, fewer changes and larger price hikes might make a 2021 example a better consideration.

Following a significant redesign to the Cadillac Escalade for the 2021 model year, GM’s flagship luxury SUV returns for 2022 with slight tweaks to safety offerings and a modest price bump.

Related: Tested: Cadillac’s Next-Gen Super Cruise on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Features and Safety Tech

Luxury trims come with a 16.9-inch information display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system with directional overlays on a forward camera display, wireless device charging, a 19-speaker AKG audio system, 22-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate and vinyl (leatherette) upholstery. You also get three rows of seats with heaters for the first two rows and power adjustments for the seats up front. Climb the trim levels, and available features include a panoramic moonroof, 36-speaker audio system, genuine leather upholstery, air springs, and Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving feature.  

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning with steering assist. Available features include adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic braking and rear cross-traffic alert.

Engine

All Escalade trims come with a 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine. A 277-hp, turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder is available for no extra charge on lower trims or an additional $50 on the Escalade’s top trim levels, called the Platinum. Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear or four-wheel drive.

Interior

The Escalade interior is both spacious and luxurious, finished to a high-quality standard with details including real wood and metal surfaces. There’s seating for up to eight in three rows, including a third row that’s large enough for adults. Second-row choices include either a bench seat or captain’s chairs.

Prices

Prices for the 2022 Escalade trim levels are as follows (all prices include $1,695 destination):

• Luxury: $77,990 with RWD; $80,990 with 4WD (both up $100)
• Premium Luxury: $86,590 with RWD; $89,590 with 4WD (both up $1,700)
• Sport: $89,290 with RWD; $92,290 with 4WD (both up $1,700)
• Premium Luxury Platinum: $103,290 with RWD; $106,290 with 4WD (both up $1,000)
• Sport Platinum: $103,290 with RWD; $106,290 with 4WD (both up $1,000)

More From Cars.com:

• 2021 Cadillac Escalade: 5 Things We Like (and 3 Not So Much)
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade Review: Expensive, and Worth It
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade Redesign Price Up Just $1,000: Ain’t It Grand?
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade: Very Good, But Good Enough?
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade: Putting the Navigator on Notice

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