The 2022 Cadillac Escalade is one of those SUVs that are not only an iconic name, but also a status symbol. It’s remarkable how the Escalade name has accomplished so much with such a relatively short time. I remember living in Miami and seeing them driven to be seen.

I typically default to a bright and loud color for a car but I feel like that Cadillac Escalade looks best in black or white. I was completely wrong when I saw our press loaner show up in the Mahogany Metallic color. It had a rich maroon, brown, and purple color depending on the light. The large front grille made sure its presence was noticed. The large turn signals on the side of the front bumper was one of my favorite design elements of the Escalade. The large 22” wheels almost looked on the small side for this massive SUV but worked well to absorb any bumps we went over.

We got inside and the light interior gave this behemoth SUV a light and airy feel. The seats were extremely comfortable and had both heated and cooled option. It did lack a massage option which is surprising at a $105k price tag. The Super Cruise function was one of my favorite functions of the Escalade. I was impressed at how well it kept the big SUV in its lane during some curves. I can honestly say it drove better than some humans I’ve encountered!

Under the hood, the 6.2L V8 was a symphony of American power. Being able to completely turn into a 2-cylinder eco machine, helps save some money at the pump. Honestly, the 8-cylinders was worth the money at the pump! The only slight issue I felt was the multiple downshifts felt when going from 10th to a lower gear. Other than that, the power delivery was addicting.

Was the 2022 Cadillac Escalade everything I expected? I’d say yes and no. It’s an incredible package but the competition is definitely catching up and in some parts, surpassing it. The crazy thing is that even though others may be a better choice, I have an irrational attraction to it.