The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Is a 682-HP Luxury Rocket

• The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V packs a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 under its hood that makes 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque.

• The Escalade-V sprints down the quarter mile in 12.73 seconds, according to General Motors.

• The Cadillac Escalade-V will start at $149,990 before taxes when it goes on sale this summer.

It’s finally here: a Cadillac Escalade bearing the treasured V badge. While we saw that badge’s meaning change over the years, that’s not exactly the case with the latest Escalade. No, it’s following the formula of the deceased CTS-V, which means it has a lot of supercharged V8 power under the hood and plenty of attitude. The 2023 Escalade-V jumps to the top of General Motors' SUV lineup with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 under its hood.

That supercharged V8 should be familiar to GM faithful. Derivatives of this cam-in-block mill have made serious power in CTS-Vs and the previous-generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The 6.2-liter V8 powering the Escalade-V makes a stout 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac tasks a 10-speed automatic transmission to send that power to the standard all-wheel-drive system. All that translates into an Escalade that Cadillac says can cover a quarter-mile in 12.74 seconds and sprint to 60 mph from a standing start in 4.4-seconds, which lags just behind a Ferrari F40. Not bad for something comparable in size to a small Manhattan apartment.

The blown V8 is not the only upgrade that comes along with the high-performance badge. Cadillac stepped up the Escalade’s brake system and stuffed in a pair of Brembo six-piston calipers to clamp the front brake rotors. Standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension help the Escalade firm up, but still give you the posh comfort when you just want to enjoy the ride. This system also allows you to lower your Escalade-V by nearly an inch when you flip it into the high-performance V mode.

Of course, this high-performance SUV can't look just like any other Escalade. This Cadillac Escalade-V features revised front and rear styling, with quad exhaust tips trumpeting the V8’s snarl to the world. The Cadillac Escalade-V sports unique 22-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped in 275/50 all-season rubber. Adding some extra flash, the Escalade-V’s unique key fob matches the red Brembo calipers.

Now, you might be wondering why this is wearing V-badging instead of flying under Cadillac’s Blackwing banner. Cadillac says it’s because this Escalade-V isn’t as dedicated to high performance as the Blackwing sedans, which makes more sense with the SUV's all-season tires. Still, with nearly 700 hp under the hood, there must be plenty of performance on tap.

Snagging an Escalade-V or the larger Escalade-V ESV is as easy as calling up your local Cadillac dealer and hoping you get on a list when it officially goes on sale this summer. The most affordable Escalade-V will set you back $149,990 before taxes and market adjustments. The larger ESV will set you back even more. Though, that price nets you the most interesting Escalade ever.

Do you think this Cadillac Escalade-V is the coolest Escalade ever? Is this the last hurrah for over-the-top performance from an internal-combustion Cadillac? Share your thoughts below.