For 2017, Cadillac has given the Escalade ESV a new optional, camera-based rearview mirror and an automatic parking assist system that can partially steer you into perpendicular and parallel parking spots. Mechanically, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV carries over unchanged.
Pros Strong V8 engine is never at a loss for power Capable of towing up to 8,100 pounds Cabin remains quiet regardless of road conditions Seating for up to eight passengers
Cons Less refined ride quality than some other luxury SUVs Sheer size requires careful maneuvering in tight quarters High cargo floor makes loading baggage difficult Infotainment interface isn't always intuitive
The Cadillac Escalade ESV is a longer version of the Escalade. The ESV is a large, luxurious SUV that delivers performance and style. Classy and powerful, it looks great for a night on the town or can haul everything needed for a weekend getaway.The ESV features a long wheelbase and an increase in total length, greatly enhancing third-row seat legroom and rear cargo space. Available as a 4x2 or 4x4, all Escalade models are powered by a 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 with direct injection, Active Fuel Management and E85 compatibility, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes Magnetic Ride Control, electric power steering, front active aero shutters, power liftgate, LED headlamps, stability control, remote start, HD radio, CUE information and media control system with embedded navigation, passive entry with passive start, a rear-view camera and seven airbags including an inboard driver seat-mounted center airbag.For 2017, the ESV carries over with minimal changes.
The Cadillac Escalade represents the height of safety, luxury, and technology among American SUVs. Although it has sometimes been cast as a study in excess, its fourth generation has grown far more refined, both in content and design. But for the times when you simply to need more of everything, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV succeeds. Based on the standard Escalade, the ESV has a 14-inch longer wheelbase and 20 more inches of overall length. This extension maximizes the usefulness of the third row and rear cargo space. Cadillac claims the ESV provides more than two-and-a-half-times the cargo space of the conventional Escalade.
The 2017 Bentley Bentayga is the first SUV from the automaker and is befitting the name. The Bentayga may fall closer to the Continental than it does the Mulsanne, but we're guessing most only care that it's a Bentley. If bigger is better, then best must be city buses with quilted leather, polished chrome, and lacquered wood on every visible surface.
Pros Abundant luxury Incredible speed Silent interior Alarmingly flat
Cons Shocking price tag Undeniable resemblance to Q7 Small-ish back seat Thirsty W-12, even with cylinder deactivation
Everything about the Bentayga is mega, from the price to the performance. With a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 under the hood, the Bentayga promises a sprint to 60 mph in 4 seconds, making it one of the quickest production SUVs around. Advanced suspension components work to keep this hefty SUV flat when cornering yet comfortable on the highway. There's even some off-road capability thrown in for good measure.
Pros Incredible luxury and craftsmanship Powerful engine and quick acceleration Legitimate off-road capability Optional seating for up to seven
Cons Base model is lacking in features, especially for the price Limited rear-seat and cargo room
Bentley calls the Bentayga the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious, and most exclusive SUV in the world. That’s a big claim, and Bentley is correct except where “most powerful” is concerned. The British luxury company seems to have forgotten about the Austrian brick with Stuttgart parents conceived in Affalterbach: the Mercedes-AMG G65. This might be the fastest, quickest internal-combustion SUV ever, but just like the ability to seat seven people (which will be an option), the 187-mph top speed is a marketing tool that most will never take advantage of. The reality is that the Bentayga isn’t going to sell on its cornering behavior; it’ll sell on its price and its looks. when you consider what you can get for half as much money. Namely, a Range Rover. Which, in supercharged V-8 form, is certainly quick enough (0-60 in 4.4 seconds) and is almost as luxurious inside. Then again, the Range Rover doesn’t stand out from the crowd in Beverly Hills or Dubai. And that’s likely the most important reason for choosing a Bentayga—at least until the world’s chic shopping districts are littered with them.
