Another year, another model! That’s right. The Cadillac Escalade is coming back for 2021, and it’s better than ever before. If you have been thinking about purchasing a luxurious SUV, then you might want to take a closer look at the 2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2020 Cadillac Escalade. After all, if you’re going to spend that kind of money, you probably want to get the best one.
It Keeps Getting Bigger!
The upcoming 2021 Cadillac Escalade is bigger than ever before. There’s a 40 percent increase in the third-row legroom, which measures at 34.9-inches. That’s a whole 10-inches more than the 2020 Cadillac Escalade. This means that your vehicle will grow with your family. While the previous models have always had seating for seven, the third row tends to be a bit cramped for teenagers and adults. As your children grow, you won’t need to buy another vehicle to accommodate the long legs!
Also, the storage area in the cargo bay has been increased by a whopping 68 percent. The previous model had just over 19 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Now, the 2021 Escalade will roll out of the factory with a cavernous cargo area measuring 25.5 cubes. You can put anything from backpack to luggage and groceries to sports equipment in there.
More Performance Options
Traditionally, the Escalade is powered by only one engine. That’s the 6.2-liter V8 that pushes out 420 hp. By using start/stop technology, variable valve timing, and dynamic fuel management, this powertrain is quite efficient. For the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, a whole new powertrain will be introduced into the lineup for the first time ever. It will be a turbodiesel 3.0-liter engine that generates 460 lb-ft of torque. Ideal for people who want to haul a trailer, boat, or RV, this beast can pull over 8,000 pounds. Both engines are mated with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and electronic shift control as well.
A Smoother Ride
A few years ago, Cadillac came up with the Magnetic Ride Control. This advanced system uses sensors to monitor the conditions of the road you are traveling. Based on road conditions, it manages the shock absorbers to reduce body motion, vibrations, and body roll. If you’ve ever ridden on a bus, then you know that larger vehicles tend to be uncomfortable and even nauseating for passengers in the rear. Cadillac eliminated this issue by introducing Magnetic Ride Control, which was utilized in the 2020 Escalade.
Fast-forward to today; the upcoming 2021 Cadillac Escalade will feature the all-new Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system. This takes the Magnetic Ride Control to a whole new level. How this innovative system works is that it automatically adjusts the load-leveling and ride-height across all four wheels while you’re driving. This helps to improve aerodynamics, and it also creates a much smoother experience inside the cabin. If you have any children who are prone to motion sickness, the 2021 Escalade is the perfect vehicle for them.
Futuristic Technology
While the Cadillac Escalade has always featured cutting-edge technology, the new 2021 version takes the cake. This upcoming model will be the first-ever to feature a curved OLED display inside the cabin. Offering twice as many pixels as 4K screens, the OLED display is crisper, brighter, and shows a broader range of colors than any other vehicle on the market.
Inside the 2021 Escalade, you will find three screens for a total of 38-inches of curved OLED displays. The largest of the bunch is the 16.9-inch infotainment interface that is located in the center of the dashboard on the driver’s right-hand side. This paper-thin screen is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The infotainment display on the 2020 Escalade was only 8-inches. This is more than double that size, plus it features a clearer image and no overhead hood.
Located behind the steering is another OLED screen. This one measures 14.2-inches and is called the cluster display. Finally, the driver information center is situated on the left-hand side and shows essential vehicle information.
Mind-Numbing Sound
Engineers at Cadillac didn’t stop with more legroom, extra engine options, and futuristic screens. They took things even further by incorporating the AKG Studio Reference system into the 2021 model. This has never been used inside a vehicle before, and this system uses three amplifiers and 38 speakers to deliver the most incredible sound. Studio 3D Surround ensures that the speakers are properly placed through the cabin for the best sound quality. Audio rendering relays turn-by-turn directions in partnership with the vehicle’s navigation system. This allows the driver to always be able to hear what the next instruction is. Finally, conversational enhancement places microphones throughout the cabin so that everyone inside can communicate efficiently.
On the 2020 Cadillac Escalade, a 16-speaker Bose stereo delivered extraordinary sound. However, this new stereo blows the older one out of the water.
What Remains the Same?
Some things never change. The Cadillac Escalade models are known for their subtle leather interiors, heated seats, and power-adjustable drivers’ seats. The third rows in both models are split-folding for optimized configuration, and rear-seat entertainment systems are available on both as well. Featuring a Blu-ray player, your back seat passengers can stay entertained for hours during long road trips. Of course, navigation will still be included in the Escalade as well.
The Head-up Display will also carry over from the 2020 Escalade. This innovative system projects vital vehicle information onto the front windshield, allowing the driver to stay informed without taking their eyes off the road. Other safety features, including automatic parallel/perpendicular parking assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a rearview camera, and automatic emergency braking, will also make appearances on various trim levels in the upcoming model.
Also worth mentioning is the continuation of Super Cruise. This innovative technology came onto the market about five years ago, and it just keeps getting better. This system will drive the Escalade for you on over 200,000 highways spanning across the United States and even Canada. It’s a driver assistance system that uses high-precision GPS, radar sensors, LiDAR map data, a driver attention system, and a lot of cameras to execute automated driving with no interference from you. It works on compatible highways only and is one of the most advanced technologies in any vehicle across the globe. The main difference in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is that it will have the added feature of automated lane changes, a technology that will blow your mind.
Finding the New Cadillac Escalade
Whether you want the 2020 version or you wish to wait for the upcoming 2021 model, the Cadillac Escalade is quite an extraordinary ride. This vehicle has always pushed the auto industry beyond what was perceived as possible. Engineers at Cadillac have no limits when it comes to imagination. What they dream up, they accomplish.
When it comes to comparing the 2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2020 Cadillac Escalade, the differences are extreme. Of course, some features carry over, but the upcoming model is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. To find out more about when it will be rolling out onto dealership lots, contact your local Cadillac dealership today!
