VIVIAN ASHER

We mean, that really got out of hand fast—a high-performance, full-size, three-row Cadillac SUV?

High-performance SUVs are a thing. Or just ask Ford, Jeep, Dodge, Acura, virtually all the European luxury brands, and now Cadillac. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is the first and seemingly least-likely Cadillac SUV to wear the V-Series badge. But, with the brand focusing on expanding its high-performance V sub-brand—and on the heels of the launch of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing—the humongous Escalade-V starts to make sense. Why not combine your most recognizable product with the V treatment you're hoping to make more recognizable, even if that product is a full-size, three-row SUV seemingly antithetical to V's athletic aspirations?

And it's not like we didn't see the Escalade-V coming. We've seen it in spy photos and teasers. Cadillac now is sharing the first pictures of its massive performance SUV. All the pertinent details, however, are being reserved for a later date this spring. But with the pictures and video below, we can at least see how it will look like and gather some hints about what lies beneath.

To the surprise of no one, the Escalade-V looks pretty much like the regular Escalade with V-Series badges and quad exhaust tips. Sporting a black grille and black details on the lower door panels, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V rides on unique wheels and high-performance Bridgestone tires. Big red brake calipers can be spotted peeking through those rims, and likely are sourced from Brembo. Expect GM's Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension to come standard, too.

To address the elephant in the room, yes, the Escalade is gigantic. Any other smaller, lighter Cadillac SUV would have made more sense as a V-series. But remember, GM's chassis engineers are magicians, as evidenced by Cadillac's other V-series models' fine handling. While they'll have their work cut out making the tall and heavy Escalade dance, we can't wait to see what they've done.

The big question is what will be under the Escalade-V's massive hood. Based on the exhaust sounds in video released by Cadillac, we're expecting the supercharged LT4 V-8. This engine also is used to power the CT5-V Blackwing sedan, where it makes 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers might not be the same in the Escalade-V—Cadillac may actually juice even more power from this setup, both for more outright horsepower and greater torque lower in the rev range to help get this beefcake moving. We've heard that the Escalade could top 700 hp by utilizing the old Corvette ZR1's 2.6-liter supercharger, instead of the Blackwing's 1.7-liter unit. As far as the transmission goes, expect the 10-speed automatic to stick around, albeit retuned for snappier shifts and more eager gear selection.