The Icon: Cadillac Escalade 2024

From its controversial debut, the Escalade has transformed into Cadillac's iconic nameplate, leaving behind its origins as a dressed-up GMC Yukon. Now in its third model year, the current-generation Escalade has solidified its standing as a luxury powerhouse, taking on high-dollar competitors like the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Lexus LX600 - emerging victorious in a comparison test last year.

The Escalade offers versatility in its design, presenting a standard-length body style and an extended ESV configuration, boasting significantly more cargo space behind the third-row seat. Last year, the lineup welcomed the high-performance V-series model, featuring a supercharged V-8 with an impressive 682 horsepower.

As the Escalade strides into 2024, it does so without significant changes. However, the silence speaks volumes, hinting at a potential focus on the highly anticipated electric variant - the Escalade iQ, slated to debut later this year.

Under the hood, the Escalade roars to life with a standard 6.2-liter V-8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and an ingenious ability to deactivate half of its cylinders during cruising to enhance fuel efficiency. An optional 3.0-liter diesel inline-six is also on the menu for those with an affinity for diesel. Both engine options come with a seamless 10-speed automatic transmission, allowing buyers to opt for either rear- or all-wheel-drive setups.

Sharing its platform with siblings like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and the GMC Yukon, the Escalade embraces an independent rear suspension. This ensures a smooth ride and liberates additional legroom in the third row, addressing a compromise in the previous model with its solid rear axle.

In luxury SUVs, the Cadillac Escalade 2024 stands as an unrivaled symbol of luxury and performance, poised to continue its legacy as a trailblazer in the evolving landscape of automotive excellence.