I
n 2019, it was the Chevrolet Corvette
that we were desperate to see, and the
wait seemed interminable. This year
it’s the opposite end of the vehicular
spectrum that had us transfixed: The
big daddy of bling, the 2021 Cadillac Esca-
lade, had us waiting, wondering, worrying
it might not live up to the hype.
The fifth-generation Escalade, on sale
this summer, has the future of the fran-
chise riding on its upsized 22-inch wheels.
It’s not easy styling a massive SUV, but
Cadillac has continued its “Y” branding
strategy, where it offers both a luxury and
a sport variant for each nameplate.
The Luxury models have the expected
chrome and other bright bits, but the blingfactor has actually been dialed back, and
the result is a more sophisticated look for
a mature vehicle.
Escalade’s first foray into Sport offers
enough blacked-out features to differen-
tiate the model with tasteful restraint.
It would be easy to put an intimidating
grille on an already massive vehicle, but
designers kept the proportions measured.
As the grille and wheels grew, the Cadillac
crest emblem was also upsized. Designers
were cognizant that Escalade buyers like
a powerful-looking SUV, which in turn
makes them feel powerful driving it. But
consumers also wanted more sophisti-
cation in the evolution of the exterior
design. The headlights have simple yetintricate layers, giving them depth but
not too much jewelry.
Big, slabby sides are a challenge with
a three-row full-size SUV. Effort was
taken to add some slimming character
lines, concave door sculpting, and a
jaunty outline of the greenhouse with a
kick-up at the C-pillar. These measures
were important, given that the vehicle
grew longer and taller—and this is the
short-wheelbase version. We have yet to
see the stretched Escalade ESV.
The best view might be the rear angle.
The Escalade keeps the familiar vertical
taillights that have become a signature
for Cadillac, but the look is more
contemporary and fresh.48 MOTORTREND.COM MAY 2020We’ve Been
Waiting For