- the 2021 cadillac escalade loses its base trim and sees a $1000 price increase for the now entry-level luxury model.
- the 6.2-liter v-8 remains standard, but for 2021 a duramax turbo-diesel 3.0-liter inline-six is available as a no-cost option.
- the top-end platinum and platinum sport models start at $101,290, which is a jump of nearly $8000 over 2020.
cadillac has redesigned the escalade inside and out, and now the automaker has revealed the cost of all those changes. for 2021, the escalade starts at $77,490 in the now base luxury trim, a $1000 jump from the outgoing model; the longer esv version of the escalade starts at $80,490. on every trim level, to go from the standard rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive costs another $3000.
the escalade comes with two engine options, the familiar 6.2-liter v-8 and a newly available duramax turbo-diesel 3.0-liter inline-six. the former comes standard, but the latter is available at no charge. both engines are mated to the same 10-speed automatic transmission as on the 2020 model.
for 2021, cadillac has given the escalade the independent rear suspension and fuel-saving cylinder deactivation as on the chevy tahoe and the gmc yukon. the base model, despite the modest price jump, now comes standard with the escalade's new 38 inches of total screen space stretching across the dashboard, plus wireless apple carplay and android auto capability and a 19-speaker akg sound system or an optional one with 36 speakers.
the premium luxury trim starts at $84,290, and the next highest trim, the sport, starts at $86,890. the highest trim levels, the platinum and platinum sport, start at $101,290, a nearly $8000 increase over the $93,950 starting price for the platinum in 2020.
the new escalade comes with available super cruise, gm's driver assistance technology, which now offers lane change on demand. adaptive air suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and gm's magnetic ride control are also features of the 2021 model.