When you think of the ultimate combination of American luxury and brute force, one vehicle stands above the rest. We recently had the opportunity to jump inside a beast that defines excess in the best way possible: the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV V-Series.
This isn't just a family hauler; it’s a 6,000-pound supercar disguised as a luxury SUV. If you are looking at spending six figures on a vehicle and want the absolute pinnacle of performance and tech, you need to see what the "V" brings to the table.
Here is a breakdown of what makes this Escalade absolutely amazing.
Heart-Stopping Performance: Supercharged V8 Fury
The headline feature of the Escalade V is what’s under the hood. Cadillac borrowed technology straight from the Corvette program to create the most powerful American-made SUV ever.
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The Engine: A handcrafted 6.2L Supercharged V8. It utilizes the supercharger tech from the C7 Corvette ZR1 to force-feed air into the engine.
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The Specs: An astonishing 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque.
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The Speed: Despite its massive size, this SUV sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just about 4.5 seconds.
To manage that power, it features active all-wheel drive that is always engaged, ensuring incredible hook-up off the line.
V-Mode: Unleashing the Beast
While it drives smoothly in normal mode, the real magic happens when you press the "V-Mode" button near the shifter. This instantly transforms the vehicle's personality.
V-Mode adjusts the suspension, sharpens the steering, changes the brake feel, and opens up the exhaust valves. The result is a "savage" exhaust note that crackles and pops on downshifts, providing feedback more akin to a manual sports car than a three-row SUV. The handling, aided by Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, is arguably the best you will find in a full-size truck platform.
Next-Level Technology
The 2023 Escalade V is packed with cutting-edge tech that goes beyond massive screens (though it has those too).
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Super Cruise: Cadillac’s industry-leading true hands-free driving assistance technology (requires an active OnStar subscription).
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Night Vision: A thermal imaging camera that projects onto the driver display, highlighting heat signatures like pedestrians or deer in total darkness.
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Augmented Reality (AR) Camera: Overlays navigation instructions directly onto a live camera feed of the road ahead.
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AKG Studio Reference System: A mind-blowing 36-speaker sound system, the best available in a Cadillac.
Unrivaled Luxury and Utility
This specific model is the ESV, meaning it’s the long-wheelbase version (similar to a Suburban), offering maximum cargo space behind the third row. The interior is draped in premium materials, including a suede headliner.
Comfort features are endless, including heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and incredible massaging front seats. A crowd favorite feature is the center console refrigerator—a built-in cooler to keep drinks or lunch cold on your commute.
The rear passengers aren't forgotten, with sliding second-row captain's chairs, heated rear seats, and dual rear entertainment screens with HDMI inputs for gaming on the go.
Conclusion
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV V-Series is an absurdy fun vehicle. It masterfully blends the comfort required for daily driving with performance that can shock sports cars at a stoplight. If you are considering a high-end Mercedes, BMW, or a top-trim Yukon Denali, the Escalade V demands your attention.
Want to hear that quad exhaust roar and see this incredible machine in action? Check out our full video review below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhvG_DZiRfw