Since the 2021 Cadillac Escalade arrived early last year with its fresh face and advanced interior tech, it’s been a hit. Despite a global pandemic that has severely affected the world’s economies, Cadillac’s customers have spoken, and they want to spend. Best of all, for the American carmaker, customers aren’t looking for base models.

According to CarsDirect, the average price paid for a brand-new example of one of these large SUVs surpasses $102,000. For context, this is around $26,000 over the price of a base model. Additionally, this behemoth has managed these sales without a single rebate in sight.

How much does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade cost?

If you’re looking at buying a brand-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade, you can have one in two different flavors. The first is the standard model, which is 211.9 in length and offers up to 92.2 cu-ft of space. The second is the ESV which is 15 in length and offers up to 120.9 cu-ft of space. Regardless of which you go for, they start at $76,195 and $79,195, respectively.

If you’re looking at trim levels, you have five to pick from in total, all of which are available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. As standard, you get a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 under the hood pushing out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. This is notable because this engine is often the most expensive powertrain option if you’re looking at a GMC Yukon or Chevy Tahoe.

Despite getting a brand-new face, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is still technically based on a truck platform. However, for 2021, it got an independent rear suspension with air shocks. Aside from aiding ride quality, this improvement also provides tons of extra space inside.

Customers have spoken, they are willing to spend big

The good thing about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade features mentioned earlier is that they mostly come standard. However, CarsDirect’s latest reports that buyers are willing and able to pay for additional extras. In total, the average price for a brand-new Escalade in Q1 2021 was over $102,000.

When looking at the trim levels, buyers opt for the top Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims. However, this SUV can easily go up in price if you go crazy with options. Tick all the right boxes, and you can easily walk away with an SUV costing over $110,000 without accounting for additional fees.

It is worth noting that there is still a relatively small supply of these SUVs available across the country. As a result, hungry buyers might opt to pay up for a higher trim rather than waiting for the right example to come along.

Is the Escalade worth its massive price?

If reviews from credible sites such as MotorTrend, Car and Driver, Motor1, and RoadShow are anything to go by, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is absolutely worth its price. The consensus seems to be that the big Cadillac not only manages to differentiate itself from its GM siblings but directly competes with the very best European alternatives. As a result, if you want one, you may need to pay up.