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The 2022 Cadillac Escalade is a behemoth of a vehicle, and its luxury status makes it a highly coveted one, too. Does that mean that you should buy an Escalade, assuming that it’s in your budget? While Consumer Reports ranks it #4 out of 10 luxury large SUVs, it also has a couple of complaints about the 2022 Escalade, and the biggest one probably isn’t a surprise – its handling.

A dark colored 2022 Cadillac Escalade driving down a road.
2022 Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade’s handling is subpar

One of the biggest complaints that Consumer Reports has with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade is its handling. It calls the Escalade’s handling “clumsy” and “cumbersome.” While Consumer Reports isn’t surprised by the Escalade’s dismal handling – it is, after all, a monstrosity of an SUV – it is disappointed, saying it has “noticeable body lean through corners.”

In addition, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade “out of its element when driven even moderately quickly through corners.” Consumer Reports notes that its “sheer size and weight” makes it feel “bit loose and disconnected from what the driver is doing.” If you like to take leisurely drives, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade might not be the right SUV for you.

Does the 2022 Cadillac Escalade have a lot of problems?

The 2022 Cadillac gets just a 2/5 for reliability from Consumer Reports. Although Consumer Reports hasn’t specifically tested the 2022 Escalade yet, it has several ways of determining this predicted reliability score. It sends out surveys to past and present owners of Cadillac Escalades and asks how their vehicles have held up over the years. There are several categories that owners answer questions about, helping Consumer Reports to predict how future models will fare.

In addition, Consumer Reports uses its mechanical knowledge, as well as brand history. By looking at how Cadillacs in general have held up, Consumer Reports is able to reasonably gauge what the chances are that this particular model year of the Escalade will do. It also uses the reliability of the Chevy Tahoe, since the Tahoe and the Escalade share a platform and components.

How much does the 2022 Escalade cost?

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade price starts at $76,295, according to Kelley Blue Book. However, that’s far from the highest that the Escalade’s price can go. It’s easy to push that number over $100,000 with the right trim level and options added in. The 2022 Escalade comes with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that can make 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. There’s also a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine available that makes 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both of these engine choices are matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

If you’re in the market for a new luxury large SUV, you might love the Cadillac Escalade. Still, its rough handling is certainly a deterrant, even if it doesn’t keep you from completely eliminating the Escalade from your short list. If that doesn’t, however, its predicted reliability rating might. Still, there are people that will love the Escalade no matter what, and that’s no surprise, as it is truly a luxurious SUV.

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