You can go diesel with the Cadillac Escalade. But is going with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade 600D Diesel worth the upgrade price? It could be, especially because the diesel engine doesn’t cost anything extra. 

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade 600D worth buying? 

You can go diesel in your Caddy!! The 2021 Cadillac 600D is packing diesel power, and according to Truck Trend, it doesn’t cost anything extra to opt for the diesel engine. So, it seems like a pretty good deal already. 

But you still need to pay a pretty penny for the Escalade. You can get started in a new Cadillac Escalade for about $76,195. Then you have two engine options. The 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine provides 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder 277 pumps out 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. 

How much power does the Escalade have? 

With the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, you can tow up to 8,200 lbs. This is with the gasoline engine. The Cadillac Escalade 600D can tow up to 8,000 lbs, so that’s only a 200 lb difference. Also, you need four-wheel drive and the Heavy-Duty Trailering package to achieve these figures. 

The Escalade can carry a payload of up to 2,056 lbs, according to Car and Driver. The Heavy-Duty Trailering Package includes a rear vision trailer camera, auxiliary trailer camera, two-speed electronic transfer case, trailer tire pressure monitoring system, and trailer assist guidelines. With the gasoline engine, an extra capacity cooling system is also included. 

Both the diesel and gasoline engines feature an automatic start and stop system. Output from the 600D is rated at 277 hp and 3,750 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm compared to the gasoline’s 4,100 rpm. The diesel provides more low-end torque for improved towing performance. 

According to Fuel Economy, with the gasoline engine, you get an EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city and up to 19 mpg on the highway. With the diesel engine, you get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. 

How does the Escalade perform? 

One drawback to consider with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade 600D is that it might be a little slower than models equipped with the gasoline engine. With the V8, the Caddy can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, but it may take up to eight or nine seconds with the diesel. 

Both options deliver smooth gear transitions with the 10-speed automatic gearbox. Also, the diesel engine is surprisingly quiet, but it does sound less refined than the gasoline option. But that’s part of the trade-off for an improved fuel economy and more low-end torque. 

The 2021 Escalade gained an all-new platform with an independent rear suspension that provides a much smoother ride. High trim levels also come with an air suspension with adaptive dampers that use computer-controlled shock absorbers. 

Of course, the Caddy is exceptionally luxurious with tons of leather, ambient lights, aluminum speaker grilles, and more to provide an upscale feeling. But one key feature to note is that the model with the longer wheelbase offers more space in the third row for passengers. 

Both the gasoline and diesel engines provide excellent performance. If you want to go diesel, it will live up to your expectations to suit your towing needs. Plus, it’s a no-cost upgrade to enjoy. So, why not?