Attitude With Style

BUT DOES IT HAVE THE SUBSTANCE TO MATCH?

- Brett T. Evans

There are a few vehicles in the world that almost anyone could identify, and one of those might be this big bruiser, the Cadillac Escalade.

Introduced for the ’15 model year, the fourth-generation Escalade has a much different appearance than GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe siblings. Massive vertical taillights recall the tailfinned Eldorado Biarritz of 1960, and sharp LED headlights slice through the darkness. The bold grille treatment remains, updated with the company’s wreathless emblem for ’16. This is a machine that’s absolutely dripping with attitude, and we wanted to know if it had the goods to back up the glitz, so we asked Cadillac for an ’18 Escalade ESV Platinum 4WD, arguably the brand’s ne plus ultra.

After destination and $2,795 worth of performance front brakes, our truck’s list price hit $103,185. On top of the Escalade’s long list of standard features, the Platinum includes an exclusive design for the grille and gorgeous 22-inch wheels, as well as higher-grade leather for the seats and dashboard. It also gets a front center console cooler and ventilated seats, much appreciated on our trip to sunny San Diego.