Page 48 - Motor Trend (May 2020)
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We’ve Been







                                                                                          Waiting For









              n 2019, it was the Chevrolet Corvette      factor has actually been dialed back, and     intricate layers, giving them depth but
              that we were desperate to see, and the     the result is a more sophisticated look for   not too much jewelry.
              wait seemed interminable. This year        a mature vehicle.                               Big, slabby sides are a challenge with
              it’s the opposite end of the vehicular       Escalade’s first foray into Sport offers     a three-row full-size SUV. Effort was
          Ispectrum that had us transfixed: The           enough blacked-out features to differen-      taken to add some slimming character
           big daddy of bling, the 2021 Cadillac Esca-   tiate the model with tasteful restraint.      lines, concave door sculpting, and a
           lade, had us waiting, wondering, worrying     It would be easy to put an intimidating       jaunty outline of the greenhouse with a
           it might not live up to the hype.             grille on an already massive vehicle, but     kick-up at the C-pillar. These measures
              The fifth-generation Escalade, on sale      designers kept the proportions measured.      were important, given that the vehicle
           this summer, has the future of the fran-      As the grille and wheels grew, the Cadillac   grew longer and taller—and this is the
           chise riding on its upsized 22-inch wheels.   crest emblem was also upsized. Designers      short-wheelbase version. We have yet to
              It’s not easy styling a massive SUV, but   were cognizant that Escalade buyers like      see the stretched Escalade ESV.
           Cadillac has continued its “Y” branding       a powerful-looking SUV, which in turn           The best view might be the rear angle.
           strategy, where it offers both a luxury and   makes them feel powerful driving it. But      The Escalade keeps the familiar vertical
           a sport variant for each nameplate.           consumers also wanted more sophisti-          taillights that have become a signature
              The Luxury models have the expected        cation in the evolution of the exterior       for Cadillac, but the look is more
           chrome and other bright bits, but the bling   design. The headlights have simple yet        contemporary and fresh.

           48  MOTORTREND.COM MAY 2020
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