In 2019, it was the Chevrolet Corvette that we were desperate to see, and the wait seemed interminable. This year it's the opposite end of the spectrum that has us transfixed in the big daddy of bling, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, which has had us waiting, wondering, and worrying it might not live up to the hype.

And make no mistake about the hype. The Escalade is the flagship of the Cadillac brand, and Cadillac is the only luxury brand GM has left. It's also a full-size vehicle, and that's a profitable footprint for any brand. It's the sales leader in its segment, and Cadillac is also GM's tech showpiece. And the new 2021 Escalade has a high bar to clear, with the stylish Lincoln Navigator garnering critical acclaim.

The expectations are also high because GM execs have built them up. It started with former Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen, who kept promising the new Escalade would be worth the wait and blow us away. His successor, Steve Carlisle, was equally full of promises albeit in his more quiet demeanor.

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GM CEO Mary Barra herself made no bones about how she felt. Asked by MotorTrend if the 2021 Escalade would blow the Navigator out of the water, she didn't even blink: "I'm very confident about the next generation of Escalade. Let me just put it that way." The Escalade became the flagship for Cadillac at a time when other brands had large sedans in that role. The Escalade also made Cadillac cool again, and the brand needs a re-injection of that as it works to rebuild its portfolio and reputation.

We've been let down by Cadillac before. The XT6, a smaller three-row SUV, failed to excite with styling that paled in comparison with the new Lincoln Aviator's. But some compromises were made in XT6 development, which shares underpinnings with the XT5, whereas the new Escalade has had high-priority status and the resources that come with it. The fifth-generation Escalade, on sale this summer, is a whole different animal, and our first look is heartening.

2021 Escalade Offers Luxury and Sport Models

It's not easy styling a massive SUV, but Cadillac has continued its Y branding strategy, where it offers both a luxury and a sport version for each nameplate. The Luxury models have the expected chrome and other bright bits, but the bling factor has actually been dialed back, and the result is a more sophisticated look for a maturing vehicle.

The new Escalade's first foray into a Sport-fettled version offers enough blacked-out features to easily differentiate the model, but with blessedly tasteful restraint. It would be easy to put an intimidating grille on an already massive vehicle, but designers kept the proportions measured. As the grille and wheels grew—22-inch wheels are now standard—the Cadillac crest emblem was also upsized. Goldilocks herself would likely deem the new proportions just right.

Designers were cognizant that Escalade buyers like that the SUV looks powerful, but consumers also wanted more sophistication in the evolution of the exterior design. The headlights have simple yet intricate layers, giving them depth but not too much jewelry.

Big, slabby sides are a challenge with any three-row, full-size SUV, and so effort was taken to add some slimming character lines, concave doors, and a jaunty outline of the greenhouse with a kick-up at the C-pillar. It was important given that the vehicle grew longer and taller—and this is the short-wheelbase version. We have yet to see the stretched Escalade.

The best view might be from the back. The Escalade keeps the familiar vertical taillights that have become a signature for Cadillac, but the look is more contemporary and fresh.

2021 Cadillac Escalade: The Gas and Diesel Engines

There will be more than one powertrain, but the Escalade will launch with an updated version of the 6.2-liter V-8 as standard, which already generates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and whose active fuel-management cylinder-deactivation system is supplanted by the more efficient Dynamic Fuel Management version of the same tech. It also has variable valve timing and automatic engine stop/start. GM's other recently redesigned large SUVs, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and 2021 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, have the 5.3-liter V-8 as the base engine and the 6.2-liter available as an option.

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New to all three SUVs is the 277-hp, 460-lb-ft 3.0-liter Duramax I-6 turbodiesel, which will be added later in the 2021 model year. It won't be a high-volume engine but provides a fuel economy boost and a character that will appeal to some customers. Early plans to give the Escalade the 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged Blackwing V-8 engine were shelved. Any future performance or V versions of the Escalade are expected to instead have a version of GM's 6.2-liter supercharged small-block V-8.

All engines are paired with GM's 10-speed automatic transmission with paddles for manual gear selection and the smarts to downshift automatically when going downhill. In addition, GM's new electrical architecture provides for faster calculations and responses, plus more robust capability, for everything from infotainment and connectivity to safety systems.

The New Escalade Gets Enhanced Super Cruise

The 2021 Escalade will have Super Cruise, the hands-free, semi-autonomous driver-assist system that works on 200,000 miles of mapped highways. It views its surroundings with a new sensor set, with a front camera module, 360-degree cameras, and long- and short-range radar all reacting to lidar-enhanced map data and a camera on the driver to ensure readiness to take control of the vehicle suddenly if necessary.

Super Cruise won't be available at launch, but it will be offered soon after and has been enhanced to include lane change on demand. Flip on the turn signal to initiate, and the system will check the surroundings and change lanes when it's safe. Better sensors, map info, and software are designed to make the steering and speed control feel more natural.

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Cabin Befitting an Escalade

We would classify the exterior as an evolutionary change in design, which is really all that was needed. The big project was improving the interior, and we're pleased to see massive changes to the cabin that are downright revolutionary.

We've bled far too much ink criticizing GM's materials and design choices. The Escalade restores our faith with eight available woods, intricate cut-and-sew stitching and piping, ambient lighting, soft-closing doors, an air cleaner, an available refrigerator/freezer, and the introduction of the industry's first curved OLED screen. The interior was highly influenced by that of the Escala sedan concept shown at Pebble Beach in 2016.

There are 38 diagonal inches of display space for the driver and a pixel density that probably exceeds the quality of your TV at home. OLED screens don't need a backlight—organic light-emitting diode technology means each pixel is individually lit when needed. The result is higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and blacker blacks. The thin and flexible construction of the screen allows it to curve around the driver and makes it possible to lower the instrument panel overall for better visibility.

Although it is described as one giant screen, it presents as three separate ones. A 7.2-inch driver-focused touchscreen sits to the left of the steering wheel. Behind the steering wheel is a 14.2-inch display that can be customized with four cluster layouts, including gauges, infrared night-vision images, and navigation information with augmented reality. The 16.9-inch infotainment screen in the center console is trimmed in leather and displays items like navigation info, audio details, HVAC settings, and controls for rear passengers.

The Escalade's Big Curved Screen Has Augmented Reality

For those unfamiliar with augmented reality, it overlays navigation graphics onto live street views, using arrows to animate directions as you drive in real time to ensure you don't miss a specific turn. When you approach your destination, a pin on the camera feed indicates the exact location.

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The infotainment screen can be operated by touch or via a controller in the center console; we're told the team worked hard to get the controller's weight, shape, and feel just right. The attention to this detail pays off on something the driver constantly connects with. It feels robust and easy to use. When you use the touchscreen, the presentation of the icons is horizontal, but when you use knob, the presentation changes to a carousel to mimic the controller.

Rear passengers can enjoy 12.6-inch, individually controlled touchscreens on the backs of the front seats. These can share entertainment with other screens or play unique content, and USB outlets provide audio and video connections. Passengers can track the trip, so no more "are we there yet?" questions. The driver can control the rear screens and lock out content, as well. Conversely, passengers can find info such as the nearest rest stop and send the info to the driver to accept or decline.

AKG Surround-Sound Audio Comes to the Escalade

Another first: an AKG surround-sound audio system exclusive to Cadillac in the automotive space. The standard Studio system has 19 speakers; the Studio Reference package upgrades to 36 speakers and 3-D audio. Speakers can be found in the doors, headliner, instrument panel, center console, head restraints, and even in the A-pillar with the airbags.

A cool feature is the ability to crank the tunes for the driver but turn down the volume for sleeping passengers. The system also automatically adjusts the volume and quality of sound to vehicle speed and in response to outside noise as you cruise along. And the speakers and microphones can also be used to enhance conversations between rows.

Improved communication will come in handy given how much more spacious the new Escalade is. The second row has a choice of a bench seat or sliding captain's chairs which move and fold easily with a lever for better access to the third row. That third row now has 34.9 inches of legroom—it grew a full 10.4 inches—and occupants there no longer sit with their knees in their chests. And behind the third row, cargo space has increased by 68 percent.

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Thank You, Independent Rear Suspension

Much of this additional basking and storage space is courtesy of the switch to a four-link independent rear suspension, which gives the Escalade a lower, flatter floor as well as a smoother ride and the promise of better steering and handling.

There are several suspension choices. The base suspension uses coil springs with passive dampers. The next step up is to coil springs with the fourth generation of magnetorheological Magnetic Ride Control, now with new sensors collecting more precise data to adjust for every inch of the road at 60 mph. The top level is an air-sprung adaptive suspension with the magnetorheological MRC dampers. The adjustable ride height can be raised 2 inches in 4Low or by 1 inch in Off-Road mode in other drive settings. It can be lowered 2 inches to get in and out of the vehicle more easily, and it will automatically dip three-quarters of an inch for better aerodynamics while on the move.

A limited-slip differential provides better traction control, sending torque to the wheel with the most grip. All-wheel drive is available on all versions of the 2021 Escalade. For towing, the new Escalade has nine camera views to hitch and trailer like a pro, as well as a test function for trailer lights, a trailer theft alert, and air-pressure monitor. There are virtually no carryover parts from the current Escalade.

Cadillac President Steve Carlisle says, "This is the one we always wanted to do." It's certainly clear Cadillac pulled out all the stops.

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