The Cadillac Escalade is available in five trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum. All are powered by the same 420-hp V8 engine as standard, though a six-cylinder turbodiesel with 277 hp can be swapped in at no additional cost. Both make 460 lb-ft of torque. Managing the gear shifts is a ten-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to either the rear wheels or to all four.
Every trim comes equipped with 22-inch alloy wheels in varying styles, along with LED headlights and taillights, and a hands-free power liftgate. Basic cabin features include tri-zone climate control, eight-way power front seats with two-way lumbar settings and memory functions, heated front and second-row seats, a wireless phone charger, a 14.2-inch driver-information display, a 16.9-inch infotainment display, wireless smartphone integration, a 19-speaker audio system, and surround-view camera system.
Standard advanced driver assistance technology includes forward collision warning with pedestrian recognition and automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, and lane-keep assist. All models except the base trim also have adaptive cruise control, side blind zone alert, night vision, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking.
Upper trims add a power-operated panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, a rear-seat entertainment system, a color head-up display, a 36-speaker sound system upgrade, and enhanced parking assist, among many other features.
A high standard specification doesn't mean that the Cadillac Escalade can't be upgraded with numerous extras. The base model has only minor upgrades available, with the $1,095 Illumination Package adding an illuminated cargo sill plate, as well as sill plates for the front and rear doors. This also equips puddle lamps with the Cadillac crest.
The Premium Luxury offers a number of additional upgrades by way of the Touring Package and Performance Package. Priced at $2,550, the former adds soft close doors, illuminated sill plates, and adaptive air ride suspension, while the latter equips an electronic limited slip differential, magnetic ride control, trailer side blind zone alert, hitch guidance with hitch view, and more. It is priced at $2,700. The Heavy Duty Trailering Package is exactly what the name implies and goes for $600.
On the mid-range Sport, the Touring Package is also available for the same price. Additionally, the Onyx Package goes for $2,895 and adds gloss black 22-inch alloy wheels, monochromatic Cadillac emblems, a gloss black Escalade name badge, and puddle lamps with the Cadillac crest. Other than some cargo and floor mat-based options, there isn't much to add.