By Charles Donaldson
Pricing and Trims
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV is available in four trim levels: Base 2WD ($79,490) and 4WD ($82,490), Luxury 2WD ($85,090) and 4WD ($88,090), Premium Luxury 2WD ($89,490) and 4WD ($92,490), and Platinum 2WD ($98,590) and 4WD ($101,590).
What’s new for 2019?
The 2019 Escalade ESV is mostly a repeat of last year’s model with a few exceptions. Add to the list of features is a hands-free liftgate with Cadillac logo illumination and new exterior colors, including Shadow Metallic and Manhattan Noir Metallic. 
Interior Highpoints
The interior offers comfortable, cushioned seats, that, with a touch of a button begin to massage your back with relaxing bodywork settings. Installed in the instrument panel is the all-new Driver Information Center that measures 8 inches diagonally, with a color touchscreen where embedded navigation and voice recognition are standard.
The system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone-projection capable and shared local weather report information. Need a little Wi-Fi? The 2019 Escalade features a 4G LTE Wi-Fi® Hotspot (includes 3GB/three-month data trial). The center arm reset doubles as a wireless device charging station that fits even the extra-large phones. You can also plug into one of the five USB ports. Also, there are the Cadillac Connected Apps and a Teen Driver feature as well.
Sounds which are compliments of a 16-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound audio system, my car was equipped with 4 rear-video screens as part of the entertainment system with Blu-ray including a 9.0-inch screen for the passengers in the third-row seat. The dash is beautiful with soft leather and suede laid throughout the interior. The inside is crafted and stitched to perfection. Our model also incorporated cooling front-cup-holders and a mini-refrigerator. For me, one of the best features is the 360-degree view when you are parking or backing up allowing for easy parking of such a large vehicle.
Exterior Highlights
The exterior of the 2019 Escalade is bold and beautiful. Sharp, sculptured lines weave the Cadillac design theme throughout the sophisticated profile with a touch of chic. From the rear, the taillights begin above the bumper and make a statement as they continue on the side as they reach out to the top. You can open the full tailgate with the sway of your foot or pop open the glass liftgate with a touch of your remote button. The Escalade rides high on 22-inch wheels on the Platinum trim.
Performance Specs
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade generates power from a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horses that spits out 14 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, while being mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission. The Active Fuel Management shuts off half of the cylinders to conserve the premium gas, which is also standard to help improve fuel economy. The magnetic ride-control technology performs hundreds of road readings each second conveying an amazingly smooth ride.
Cool Features:
Safety & Integrity
As you would expect form the Cadillac Escalade, it has a long checklist of safety features for 2019. Starting with air bags: Frontal air bags for driver and front outboard passenger; seat-mounted side-impact for driver and front outboard passenger; driver inboard seat-mounted side-impact; head-curtain for all rows in outboard seating positions; includes front outboard Passenger Sensing System for frontal outboard passenger air bag, Surround Vision is standard on all trims, Rear Camera Mirror on Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum, Driver Awareness Package is standard on Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum. Content includes Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking and IntelliBeam automatic headlamp control.
In Summary – The 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV is a work-of-art that is easy on the eyes and heavy on the pocket book. With that said, the Escalade has never been for everyone which is part of what elevates its status and limits its buying pool. It seats 8 and can adjust the seat configuration to carry a sofa! The turning radius is one of the best for such an overgrown rolling beast. You pay a high price for the Escalade, but in return it delivers a world class ride.
Specifications
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Base price:
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$97,295 as driven: $98,840 (including destination & optional features)
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Engine:
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6.2-Liter V8
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Horsepower:
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420 hp @ 5600 RPM
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Torque:
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460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 RPM
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Transmission:
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10-speed automatic
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Drive:
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Two-Wheel Drive
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Seating:
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8-passenger
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Cargo space:
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39.1 to 120.9 cubic feet
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Curb weight:
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5831 pounds
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EPA mileage:
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City 14/Hwy 23/Comb 17 MPG
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Fuel Capacity:
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31 gallons
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Turning Circle:
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43 feet
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Wheelbase:
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116 inches
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Warranty:
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4 years/60,000-miles
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Also consider:
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Ford Expedition Platinum, Infiniti QX80 Limited, Lexus LX 570, Mercedes-Benz GLS 550
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