The Cadillac Escalade Turns 20 — What Does The Next-gen Escalade NEED To SUCCEED?

I think we can all agree on one thing: The Cadillac Escalade, when it made its prime time debut, was a game changer. It propelled us all down a road where large, luxury sport-utility vehicles went mainstream.

Sure, the Mercedes-Benz G-wagon existed but in 1999 it wasn't being imported stateside. And while the Lincoln Navigator had its moment, it didn't quite explode like the Escalade. Remember, for quite a long stretch, the Escalade was the go-to choice for high-performing athletes, Hollywood's A-list crowd and the C-suite.

And now it's turning 20.

Hard to believe, right? Who knew back in 1999 that this vehicle would become an icon and one of the marque's most desired products?

Having said that, check out this quick clip of a General Motors employee, Greg Wallace, who owned and currently looks after the very first Escalade to ever see the light of day.

MrEE - 8/25/2018 9:01:47 AM

+2 Boost

Hard to believe gaps are that bad, looks like it had a minor collision.

MDarringer - 8/25/2018 9:54:13 AM

+1 Boost

The Dodge Durango in the past has has some horrible gaps. The first Durango's rear bumper always looked like a bad crash repair given the gap.

jeffgall - 8/25/2018 4:45:32 PM

+3 Boost

Just like Genesis

jeffgall - 8/25/2018 9:14:53 AM

-2 Boost

Make the Escalade name a subbrand and add a 3 row crossover

MDarringer - 8/25/2018 9:54:34 AM

+1 Boost

Sub-brands are played out.

jeffgall - 8/25/2018 4:46:03 PM

+5 Boost

Just like Genesis

MDarringer - 8/25/2018 6:27:31 PM

-3 Boost

Genesis isn't a sub-brand.

jeffgall - 8/25/2018 7:09:43 PM

+3 Boost

It was, and let’s be honest, if Hyundai dealers start selling them again, will be.

OneOfOne - 8/25/2018 11:06:27 AM

-1 Boost

escalade gave tacky people and lame rappers a reason to buy a giant american POS and make the gm board think even less of their customers. an aside is that it allowed cadillac to exist as a zombie brand made up of lame cars and bad suv's. oh and move to new york where it makes horrendous ads featuring vapid models envying their vapid model line. american luxury as portrayed by cadillac is an oxymoron. not to mention the escalade is the least reliable luxury model in the consumer reports survey of owners.

MDarringer - 8/25/2018 11:25:10 AM

0 Boost

#irrelevant It sells at a high price for a massive profit and that is all that matters to the business case for Cadillac.

dumpsty - 8/27/2018 11:19:32 AM

+1 Boost

pretty sure the corporate mission for every subbrand is to make a profit. and if they have a high-demand product - keep it going. and then figure out how to convince more consumers to believe they need it. play-up the social acceptance. play-up positive emotional connections. increase the price often.

Denali - 8/25/2018 1:35:04 PM

+4 Boost

who would of thought an rebadge GMC yukon would steal sales & outsell Range Rovers entire line up 3 to 1 LOL

MDarringer - 8/25/2018 1:37:48 PM

0 Boost

Let's see...superior reliability, dependability, higher resale value as a % of purchase price, and more room for the same dismal mileage. Seems like a win to me.

TomM - 8/25/2018 7:08:18 PM

+2 Boost

It is about time that GM decided to make an independent rear for the Escalade - and maybe even the Denali. These are not often used as "trucks" - except when towing. Without an independent rear - it will always be relegated to poor driving over poor roads. ANd if FCA can do it - why can't GM

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/25/2018 7:28:29 PM

+2 Boost

I still think they can continue to make the current Escalade for those who are big boned, have families and tow boats, but they should make an Escala (keep the E theme) and make it more of a Range Rover, X7, Bentayga type competitor and pull out all the stops. Make the concept the vehicle that is actually produced and it will sell well.

TomM - 8/25/2018 7:58:01 PM

+4 Boost

THey are going to make a Crossover based on the Chevy Traverse/Buick Enclave new C1XX platform - unfortunately that means only 6 cylinder engines at most. They COULD make that platform quite Luxurious - noting that the GMC Acadia - which was once that size is now smaller - so the Denali is not in the same size as the new Cadillac will be. BUt - what they really need to do is take the CT6 Omega Platform - which is state of the art - and make a crossover from it -with a V-8- that could be a real statement from Cadillac. (But it is not going to happen)

MDarringer - 8/25/2018 9:38:20 PM

-2 Boost

@CC Unfortunately, the XT7 (aka Cadillac Traverse) is getting massaged as we speak to do battle with the Aviator. The Caddy will be dead on arrival like the XT5 that failed to sell like Cadillac truly needed it to sell. I guess people don't want a Cadillac Equinox.