Latest news with #EscaladeESV
Motor Trend
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Tested: The 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum Dresses for the Job It Wants
Pros Posh and comfortable cabin Buttoned-down dynamics Last V-8 standing in the segment Cons Underwhelming sound system 24-inch wheels compromise ride Six-cylinder competitors are noticeably quicker Cadillac's cash cow is now a franchise. You want an Escalade? You've got choices. There's the electric Escalade IQ in regular and large sizes, the 'baby Escalade' Vistiq, the long-body Escalade ESV, and the original from which the others sprouted. This rapid brand expansion has redefined what an Escalade represents. No longer just a big box with a big engine and leather seats, Cadillac's large SUVs are establishing a new standard of American luxury. Size and power are part of that, of course, but the Escalade experience is now as much about a swanky cabin, trailblazing tech, and iconoclastic style. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum revamps luxury with a stylish interior, advanced tech, and a 6.2L V-8 engine. It features a new 55-inch screen, Super Cruise, and auto-opening doors. Despite lacking a more powerful turbocharged six, it offers refined driving dynamics and opulent comfort. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next That's on full display in the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD, the top-shelf gas guzzler. A midcycle refresh for 2025 lavishes attention on the interior like never before, and as a result you can no longer describe the big, bad Cad as a leather-lined Tahoe. Chevy who? The Escalade's redesigned cabin is so fresh that you might not even recognize it as a Cadillac's if it weren't for the badging. Cadillac's Inside Game While a new 55-inch screen dominates the cockpit, spend time in the updated Escalade, and it's the rich leather, real wood trim, aluminum-look accents, and upholstered lower dash that'll have you questioning if this is the same Cadillac that gave us the Catera. Many of these materials are recycled from the impressive 2021 redesign and now look even more premium thanks to the 2025 model's modern aesthetic. As with last year's Escalade, you'll have to hunt to find the few hard plastics hidden low in the cabin where the sun doesn't shine—and your hands rarely reach. That luxury carries through to the second and third rows even without the optional $7,500 Executive second-row seats. The standard Super Cruise hands-free system can turn the driver into a passenger on mapped roads so long as they keep their eyes looking forward. One of 2025's MotorTrend Best Tech winners, Super Cruise isn't just a lane centering system—it's the closest thing to a safe and useful autonomous vehicle that you can buy today. Run up on slower traffic, and it will change lanes, make a pass, and move back to the right with the natural grace of an attentive and courteous human. A recent mapping expansion has opened even more miles of select two-lane highways and back roads. The Sport Platinum's doors can drive themselves, too, opening and closing at the tug of a handle. That might sound gimmicky or superfluous, but our initial skepticism gave way to genuine appreciation with use. Cadillac nailed the execution, using sensors in the doors to stop them from bashing into people or neighboring cars, and as a result you can get a taste of Rolls-Royce opulence for the bargain price of $125,020 as tested. While Cadillac's gas vehicles still offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the infotainment system is good enough not to need them. It features native Google Maps and the ability to download streaming apps such as Spotify directly to the vehicle wrapped in an easy-to-learn interface—that is if you're willing to lean forward in your seat to use the touchscreen. A redundant click wheel lets you navigate the system from a natural driving position, but it can take a lot of scrolling and tapping to get to where you want to go. As cool as the panoramic screen looks, it's a shame that huge swathes of it serve as nothing more than digital wallpaper. In particular, the right third can only show a giant Escalade logo when the passenger isn't streaming a video (in which case the driver sees a blank black pane of glass). Another annoyance: Although you can download apps to the infotainment portion of the 55-inch display, the passenger and rear entertainment screens can only stream YouTube or Hulu and can't be customized. If your crew wants to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime, you'll have to plug in your own streaming device. The cabin's only major letdown is the AKG sound system, which in our test car lacked the dynamic range and surround-sound effect we expected based on our experience with pre-refresh Escalades. Cadillac sent a tech out to confirm everything was working as intended, but to our editors' ears it sounded like all 36 speakers were mounted either entirely in front of or entirely behind the driver depending on the settings. The Escalade's midcycle refresh drops the optional diesel engine but otherwise leaves the mechanicals unchanged. That's largely a good thing, as the full-size SUV with the heart of a Corvette wasn't lacking in personality. The small-block 6.2-liter V-8—the last V-8 in the full-size luxury SUV segment—cranks out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque with a threatening rumble to match the new menacing front fascia. In MotorTrend testing, the Escalade hustled from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, shifting its 10-speed transmission with quick yet smooth action. Negotiating the real world, the engine jumps into action at the lightest poke of the throttle, building torque and revs with an immediacy that turbocharged engines struggle to match. It's quick to respond, but that's not the same as plain, old quick. The naturally aspirated V-8 doesn't have the juice to match its turbocharged six-cylinder competition. The Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer can hit 60 mph more than a second ahead of the Cadillac. We'd hate to see the Escalade drop its V-8, which is such a crucial part of its identity, but Cadillac at the very least needs to unlock some more power during the next redesign or risk being left in the dust. When the road twists and turns, the Escalade feels sharp, connected, and even playful for a 6,182-pound brick. The Caddy steers with confident precision, and the brake pedal has the same firm feel and short action you'll find in a CT5 sport sedan. A 117-foot stop from 60 mph places the Escalade ahead of the competition, but its overly aggressive stability control puts the kibosh on hard cornering at 0.71 g before the tires start to sing. Air springs and Magnetic Ride Control dampers keep body motions on a short leash in corners and over moonscape roads. The ride is firm yet forgiving, especially for something on 24-inch wheels (a $1,800 option). The pickiest luxury buyers might quibble over the occasional secondary ride motions and the way hard hits can excite some structural shake, but softening the suspension would likely erode some of the Cadillac's charm. Putting All the Pieces Together Cadillac set itself up for success with the 2021 redesign that poured more attention and money into the Escalade's interior. Doubling down on that investment with the latest makeover has pushed the Escalade even further upscale. The 2025 Escalade is a big, opulent cruiser with innovative technology, refined driving dynamics, and an impeccable sense of style. The last time Cadillac put all the pieces together like this, 'the Standard of the World' was more than just a slogan.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM recalls nearly 600,000 trucks, SUVs over risk of engine failure
General Motors is recalling 597,630 of its full-size U.S. trucks and SUVs because the vehicles' V8 engines can fail without warning, raising the risk of a crash. Manufacturing defects in the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components "can lead to engine damage and engine failure," according to documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. No warning signs are listed. The recall comes amid an investigation by U.S. auto safety regulators following reports of engine failure in GM vehicles, including the company's best-selling Silverado. The NHTSA in January said it was investigating an estimated 877,710 vehicles after receiving 39 complaints from users of GM vehicles equipped with L87 V8 engines. GM manufactures the L87 6-Liter V8 engine at its assembly sites in Tonawanda, New York; Spring Hill, Tennessee; and St. Catharines, Ontario. The recall includes the following V8-engine models: 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV;Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban and Tahoe;GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL To fix the problem, dealers will inspect the engine for repair or replacement free of charge, GM states in the recall. Owner notification letters will be mailed June 9, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to NHTSA's number for the recall is 25V-274. GM in November recalled nearly 462,000 diesel-engine SUVs and pickup trucks in the of a faulty transmission control valve that could fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up. Trump touts UK trade deal, but U.S. companies fear they won't survive China tariffs Saturday Sessions: The Head and the Heart performs "After The Setting Sun" Saturday Sessions: The Head and the Heart performs "Time With My Sins"
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford and GM are recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to safety risks
Ford and GM are recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles with malfunctions that can increase the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM is recalling nearly 600,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine, according to the recall notice. Some of the cars' engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall affects Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL models from 2021 to 2024, according to the recall notice. Anyone who owns one of the affected models should contact their local dealership for free repairs. Dealers will inspect the vehicle's engine and repair or replace it as necessary, according to the recall notice. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install a new oil fill cap, replace the oil filter and update the owner's manual. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 9, according to the recall notice. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 for more information. GM's number for this recall is N252494000. Ford is recalling over 160,000 Ford and Lincoln SUVs and trucks that have malfunctioning rearview cameras, according to the recall notice. The camera's circuit board may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image and increase the risk of a crash. The recall affects Ford F-250, F-350, F-450 and Expedition models from 2015, as well as Lincoln Navigator and MKC models from the same year, according to the recall notice. Those who own vehicles affected by the recall should contact their local dealer, who will replace the rearview camera for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 5, according to the recall notice. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. Ford's number for this recall is 25S42. For more information about either recall, contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to Share names with a hurricane? Here's what this year's storms are expected to be named Saturday thunderstorm brought wind gusts as high as 65 mph in parts of WMass 'Summer-like' warmth Saturday in Mass., storms likely, National Weather Service reports
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
General Motors knew about V8 engine problems for years before giant recall, lawsuit claims
As of May 1, American automaker General Motors, which has a manufacturing plant in Tennessee, has recalled nearly 600,000 full-size SUVs and trucks (721,000 globally). This is the largest recall of 2025 in terms of affected vehicles. While mass recalls are big news, there's much more to this story than meets the eye. The recall itself is cause for concern, but its timing has been even more troubling for some consumers who have long complained of engine issues, including a lawsuit filed months ago. General Motors' recall extends to: 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade (and Escalade ESV) 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2021-2024 Chevrolet Suburban 2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe 2021-2024 GMC Sierra 1500 2021-2024 GMC Yukon (Yukon XL) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is providing a safety recall report detailing the issues. According to the report, "GM opened a product investigation following notification from NHTSA of its investigation into alleged engine failures in GM vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine." Auto executive payday: General Motors CEO Mary Barra tops Detroit Three pay rankings with $29.5M salary The product investigation was opened January 16, but according to a lawsuit, several automotive publications and Reddit forums, GM owners have been complaining about issues with the L87 V8 engine for months and potentially even years. One user on a GMC forum posted "lots of people have had this same issue with the latest GM V8 seizing up on them while driving" in response to a user venting about their GM V8 woes back in December 2024. Earliest this month, GM Authority published a poll in regards to thoughts on the severity of L87 engine issues, calling GM "relatively elusive on the matter." Poll respondents voted in favor of L87 issues being serious opposed to minor. The NHTSA claims that "vehicle safety developments helped raise the annual number of lives saved" over the last few decades. While vehicle safety has improved drastically in recent times, drivers still experience severe vehicle defects that can change their ownership experience entirely. One such experience is detailed in a lawsuit filed Feb. 18, 2025 in the U. S District Court Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division on behalf of plaintiff James S. Powell II which seeks to be certified as a class action. "On or about October 22, 2022, Plaintiff (Powell) purchased a new 2023 GMC Yukon Denali manufactured by GM and containing an L87 V8 engine," the lawsuit states. Powell took the vehicle to an authorized GM dealer after a check engine light came on in 2024. After inspection, Powell was informed that the engine was defective and would be replaced with another engine. Powell continued to have issues with the new engine following the replacement, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit goes on to claim that vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine share a "common defect regarding the bearings in their engines which are prone to, and have experienced failure, resulting in breaching of the engine block by the connecting rod and/or engine seizure." The April 24 NHTSA recall notice points to a defect involving "the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles ... that can lead to engine damage and engine failure." The lawsuit further alleges that "GM has known about the engine defect for several years but failed to disclose it" to at least 100 class members who leased or purchased GM vehicles. The lawsuit cites numerous consumer complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine. It claims that "it is indisputable that GM has had knowledge of the engine defect prior to March, 24, 2023," which is years before a recall was issued. A similar lawsuit was filed earlier at the beginning of April in Georgia. When asked about the lawsuit, a statement from GM said it's not their policy to comment on ongoing litigation. General Motors is taking the recall very seriously and will give individual attention to every L87 engine that arrives at dealers. When asked about the recall, GM said they will " inspect, and, as necessary, repair or replace the engine. Vehicles that pass inspection will be provided a higher viscosity oil, which will also require a new oil fil cap, an oil filter replacement, and an owner's manual insert." So, If your vehicle is part of the ongoing recall, you should take it to an authorized GM dealer for service immediately to avoid any potential engine trouble. You can search for recalls on your specific GM model here using your vehicle identification number. Reliability is a huge concern for car shoppers. After all, no one wants to deal with car trouble, especially if it could result in high mechanic fees or accidents. It's unfair to call GM vehicles unreliable based on the recall in question. That said, General Motors does have mixed reliability scores for some of its best-selling models. In contrast, Toyota produces all of the top five longest-lasting cars based on a study by Additionally, GM's recent recall isn't its only major recall in recent years. In 2021, General Motors recalled every Chevrolet Bolt model due to a fire risk. Reports of Bolt fires made this recall even more harrowing for the company and its consumers. Should GM have issued its recent recall sooner? There are plenty of angry consumers taking to forums expressing outrage regarding how long it took for L87 V8 engine issues to be addressed. Charles Singh is an automotive reporter with the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@ or on X, formerly Twitter: @CharlesSingh. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: GM recall comes after lawsuit detailing engine defects since 2023
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
General Motors knew about V8 engine problems for years before giant recall, lawsuit claims
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. As of May 1, American automaker General Motors, which has a manufacturing plant in Tennessee, has recalled nearly 600,000 full-size SUVs and trucks (721,000 globally). This is the largest recall of 2025 in terms of affected vehicles. While mass recalls are big news, there's much more to this story than meets the eye. The recall itself is cause for concern, but its timing has been even more troubling for some consumers who have long complained of engine issues, including a lawsuit filed months ago. General Motors' recall extends to: 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade (and Escalade ESV) 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2021-2024 Chevrolet Suburban 2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe 2021-2024 GMC Sierra 1500 2021-2024 GMC Yukon (Yukon XL) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is providing a safety recall report detailing the issues. According to the report, "GM opened a product investigation following notification from NHTSA of its investigation into alleged engine failures in GM vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine." Auto executive payday: General Motors CEO Mary Barra tops Detroit Three pay rankings with $29.5M salary The product investigation was opened January 16, but according to a lawsuit, several automotive publications and Reddit forums, GM owners have been complaining about issues with the L87 V8 engine for months and potentially even years. One user on a GMC forum posted "lots of people have had this same issue with the latest GM V8 seizing up on them while driving" in response to a user venting about their GM V8 woes back in December 2024. Earliest this month, GM Authority published a poll in regards to thoughts on the severity of L87 engine issues, calling GM "relatively elusive on the matter." Poll respondents voted in favor of L87 issues being serious opposed to minor. GM said it identified 12 crashes and 12 injuries in the U.S. that may be related to the recall issue. Dealers will inspect the engine and, if needed, repair or replace it. — Automotive News (@Automotive_News) April 29, 2025 The NHTSA claims that "vehicle safety developments helped raise the annual number of lives saved" over the last few decades. While vehicle safety has improved drastically in recent times, drivers still experience severe vehicle defects that can change their ownership experience entirely. One such experience is detailed in a lawsuit filed Feb. 18, 2025 in the U. S District Court Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division on behalf of plaintiff James S. Powell II which seeks to be certified as a class action. "On or about October 22, 2022, Plaintiff (Powell) purchased a new 2023 GMC Yukon Denali manufactured by GM and containing an L87 V8 engine," the lawsuit states. Powell took the vehicle to an authorized GM dealer after a check engine light came on in 2024. After inspection, Powell was informed that the engine was defective and would be replaced with another engine. Powell continued to have issues with the new engine following the replacement, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit goes on to claim that vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine share a "common defect regarding the bearings in their engines which are prone to, and have experienced failure, resulting in breaching of the engine block by the connecting rod and/or engine seizure." The April 24 NHTSA recall notice points to a defect involving "the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles ... that can lead to engine damage and engine failure." The lawsuit further alleges that "GM has known about the engine defect for several years but failed to disclose it" to at least 100 class members who leased or purchased GM vehicles. The lawsuit cites numerous consumer complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine. It claims that "it is indisputable that GM has had knowledge of the engine defect prior to March, 24, 2023," which is years before a recall was issued. A similar lawsuit was filed earlier at the beginning of April in Georgia. When asked about the lawsuit, a statement from GM said it's not their policy to comment on ongoing litigation. General Motors is taking the recall very seriously and will give individual attention to every L87 engine that arrives at dealers. When asked about the recall, GM said they will " inspect, and, as necessary, repair or replace the engine. Vehicles that pass inspection will be provided a higher viscosity oil, which will also require a new oil fil cap, an oil filter replacement, and an owner's manual insert." So, If your vehicle is part of the ongoing recall, you should take it to an authorized GM dealer for service immediately to avoid any potential engine trouble. You can search for recalls on your specific GM model here using your vehicle identification number. Reliability is a huge concern for car shoppers. After all, no one wants to deal with car trouble, especially if it could result in high mechanic fees or accidents. It's unfair to call GM vehicles unreliable based on the recall in question. That said, General Motors does have mixed reliability scores for some of its best-selling models. In contrast, Toyota produces all of the top five longest-lasting cars based on a study by Additionally, GM's recent recall isn't its only major recall in recent years. In 2021, General Motors recalled every Chevrolet Bolt model due to a fire risk. Reports of Bolt fires made this recall even more harrowing for the company and its consumers. Should GM have issued its recent recall sooner? There are plenty of angry consumers taking to forums expressing outrage regarding how long it took for L87 V8 engine issues to be addressed. Charles Singh is an automotive reporter with the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@ or on X, formerly Twitter: @CharlesSingh. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: GM recall comes after lawsuit detailing engine defects since 2023
