Cadillac Escalade

How it looks when you see it on the street: The Escalade is the Cadillac of SUVs, a big bodacious three-row SUV that helped invent the genre. It’s been toned and tweaked for the 2025 model year. On the outside the first standout detail is its grille and refined patterns.

How it makes you feel when you get in: Like taking a nap — if you’re not driving. Lots of leather to choose from to swath the interior panels.  The sound system options are choice in the AKG systems that range from symphonic to stadium quality with the top choice of 40 speakers on the Studio Reference package. Infotainment goes heavy-handed on the screens that spans collectively over 55-inches and uses lots of touch-screen action, except for a singular knob in the center consul. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a charging pad are standard.

How it drives: The Escalade stays true to its powerful coasting abilities. The standard engine is the 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8  an a fuel economy rating of about 16 miles per gallon. The V range includes the 6.2-liter V-8 making 682 horsepower and only about 13 mpg, but gets going from 0 to 6 in impressive time for such a big ride. The Super Cruise option adds in assisted driving features that’s effective for going somewhat handsfree on the highways and standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist is a must for a large SUV that covers so much real estate.

Space for people and things: The reason to go so extravagant Escalade is space. The Longwheel base goes even bigger and gives backseat and third row passengers even more leg and elbow room.

What should you compare it to: Lincoln Navigator, GMC Yukon Denali, and the Land Rover Range Rover

How much does it cost: The very base model starts about $90,000 and the top-of-the-line AWD V-Series performance model goes for about $170,000.