The Goodwood Test: Cadillac Escalade

Heritage

Such is the global cultural spread of American hip hop and its connection with large 'bling' cars that the Escalade, a model rarely even spotted outside of the US, is an icon around the world. Mention the word 'SUV' and the first thing many will think of is an Escalade. Probably a black one, probably with big chrome alloys, blacked out windows and probably cruising through downtown LA. But before that the Escalade was General Motors' response to a rapid rise in outside influence on the American SUV market. Companies like BMW and Mercedes were increasingly taking market in the late '90s, and then in 1998 the Lincoln Navigator arrived on the scene as Ford's response and GM had to act.

Thus arrived the first Escalade in 1999, followed inevitably four years later by an extended version, and it has been the mainstay of their SUV fleet ever since. Through the generations the Escalade moved more toward embracing its 'blinged-up' image, gradually gaining sharper looks, a giant chrome grille and sprouting options like those chrome wheels.

Design

Now for 2017 arrives a facelifted Escalade, bulging with mod-cons and options and ready for a cruise. There is no denying the latest Escalade's purpose, with that huge, slab-sided grille which presents the car to the world as an SUV that means business, proudly displaying the Cadillac insignia right in the middle. From there backwards it is a look designed to impose. The wheel arches are big and square, no doubt in full knowledge that many owners will fit much bigger after-market wheels, and not so it can go mud-plugging without getting its wings dirty. The cab is square as is the rear and the car sits high, looking down on even some of the larger SUVs from Europe. Inside, the Escalade is built for comfort and space, the seats are big and luxurious (heating, cooling, massaging and more in our Platinum spec model). The dash is littered with buttons and hidden cubby holes – the entire infotainment panel lifts away to reveal storage and power sockets – while in the rear the seats are separate and accompanied by full infotainment systems. The quality is surprisingly high, not quite at the standard of some of the German contenders, but only really let down by some shiny plastics.

Performance

Talking about performance in a two-tonne car is perhaps a little oxymoronic. But the Escalade boasts a huge 6.2-litre engine, of course a V8, producing 420bhp and a more impressive 460lb ft of torque. In a straight line, the only thing holding it back is the sluggish automatic gearbox, but even with that impediment it will hit 60mph in around six seconds and easily race north of 100mph. We'd just recommend you don't try and take it too vigorously down any country lanes. Apart from the fact that its vast bulk would barely fit down the roads of Sussex, the high-riding Escalade suffers from significant roll, thanks to a suspension tuned for comfort over performance.