There’s still something special about pulling up in a Cadillac Escalade. It’s just unmistakable and unapologetic in many ways as it demands presence and makes a statement. Even today, in a market flooded with oversized luxury SUVs trying to outdo one another with bigger screens, flashier grilles, and increasingly absurd price tags, the Escalade continues to carry a presence that few vehicles can replicate in such a special style. After spending some quality time behind the wheel of the 2026 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport 4WD, I’ve come away even more convinced that Cadillac still has a firm grip on what buyers in this segment actually want. More importantly, I think it still maintains an edge over the newly redesigned Lincoln Navigator in several key areas that matter once you get out on the road.

Part of that appeal starts with the styling, especially in the stunning Deep Sea Metallic paint color fitted to my test vehicle. It’s one of those colors that changes character depending on the lighting, shifting from a rich light blue to a sparkling medium blue in shaded conditions before exploding with metallic depth under direct sunlight. Pair that with the contrasting 24-inch wheels and the Escalade Platinum Sport ends up looking exactly how a six-figure luxury SUV should look: bold, expensive, and unapologetically commanding. If I were personally configuring a new Escalade today, this would absolutely be the spec – and I think when I am able to, I will do such at my local Cadillac dealership because this is my favorite large SUV that I could see owning for many years. The Deep Sea Metallic exterior combined with the dark trim elements and massive wheels strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and attitude without going overboard.

Cadillac also deserves credit for not overcomplicating the Escalade’s exterior refresh from the 2025 model year. The updates introduced recently still feel tasteful and modern without abandoning the identity that has made the Escalade such an icon over the years. The redesigned lighting signatures, revised front fascia, and cleaner detailing all work together to elevate the Escalade visually without making it look overly futuristic or disconnected from its roots. It still looks imposing, which is exactly what many luxury SUV buyers want in this segment, but there’s now an added layer of plushness and tech that keeps it competitive against rivals in the coveted segment.

Under the large aluminum hood remains Cadillac’s proven 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 pushing out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque through a refined 10-speed automatic transmission. Thankfully, Cadillac continues to resist downsizing the Escalade’s powertrain, because the V8 still fits the personality of this SUV perfectly and gives buyers exactly what they expect. There’s smooth, effortless power on demand, and even though the Escalade remains a massive body-on-frame beast, it hardly ever feels overwhelmed by its sheer size. Acceleration is surprisingly confident, highway passing is effortless, and the V8 soundtrack still carries a satisfying tone that feels appropriately upscale without trying too hard. Zero to 60 mph ticks off in 6.5 seconds.

What continues to impress me most, however, is the ride quality. This is where I believe Cadillac still has the upper hand over the new Navigator. The combination of the adaptive air suspension and Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control dampers creates a level of composure that simply makes the Escalade feel more buttoned down and luxurious on the road. Large bumps, uneven pavement, and expansion joints are handled with a level of calmness that almost masks the fact you’re driving something this large. Body motions stay controlled, steering remains predictable, and there’s very little unwanted drama even during quick transitions or rougher road surfaces. Cadillac’s suspension tuning has become exceptionally refined over the years, and it shows here more than ever.

The Escalade also continues to shine as a long-distance cruiser. The cabin remains impressively quiet at highway speeds, and there’s a level of isolation from the outside world that feels appropriate for something carrying a six-figure price tag. Even with the larger 24-inch wheels, road noise stays subdued, and the suspension never feels overly harsh or jiggly like older generations of the Escalade or competing large body-on-frame SUVs. That sense of comfort is supported by the decent front seats with heating, ventilation, and back massaging, along with an excellent driving position, and Cadillac’s continued focus on today’s technology. Features like the power opening and closing doors still feel like a novelty every time you use them, but they also reinforce how much Cadillac is leaning into extreme luxury field.

Inside, the Escalade continues to deliver the type of cabin experience buyers expect when spending well into six-figure territory. The massive 55-inch curved display setup still steals the show, but unlike many flashy tech interfaces these days, Cadillac has managed to make it functional and mostly intuitive. The placement of information across the screen feels natural, and I continue to appreciate the redundancy of physical controls through the center console controller and lower touchscreen interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto thankfully remain intact for the gas-powered Escalade when GM has decided to rip it from their electrified fleet. Features like Super Cruise hands-free driving technology continue to be among the best systems currently available in my view. The available augmented reality navigation overlays and blind spot camera displays further elevate the experience without feeling gimmicky.

Comfort throughout the cabin remains excellent, especially in the Platinum Sport trim where high-end materials cover nearly every surface that matters. The second-row captain’s chairs still provide generous comfort even without the optional executive seating package, while the third row remains genuinely usable for adults, which cannot always be said for competitors. There are still a few lower trim areas that remind you this is ultimately a body-on-frame GM SUV underneath, but overall craftsmanship and presentation continue to move noticeably upscale with each refresh cycle.

Fuel economy, however, remains somewhat of a letdown, especially at a time when seeing gas prices approach or exceed $4 per gallon has become common in many areas and just over $5 a gallon for premium fuel. The Escalade is still EPA rated at 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined, figures that I found realistic in real-world driving and even slightly surpassable during relaxed highway cruising. Still, the requirement for premium fuel certainly adds to the ownership equation. While you can technically run lower octane fuel, the Escalade performs best on premium and you have an easier time matching or sometimes surpassing the EPA fuel economy estimates. Thankfully, the 24-gallon fuel tank helps offset some of the pain with a respectable highway cruising range of around 430 miles.

With pricing starting around $91,100 for the lineup and climbing north of $123,000 for a Platinum Sport before options, the Escalade certainly is not cheap. My test vehicle with just a couple of options that include the 24-inch wheels came to $128,820. Again, I am walking away impressed by how well Cadillac has evolved its flagship SUV without losing what made it desirable in the first place. It remains comfortable, unapologetically luxurious, exceptionally capable on the road, and perhaps most importantly, still feels special every single time you climb behind the wheel and roll down the street looking at onlookers admiring your ride.