2013 Cadillac Escalade Premium on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Cadillac ad boss is happy controversial Poolside TV ad created debate

Remember Cadillac's controversial commercial for it ELR plug-in hybrid? Did you find it provocative? If so, that's a good thing according to the brand's advertising director, Craig Bierley. First aired during NBC's coverage of the Olympic opening ceremony, the minute-long spot returned to the tele again this weekend, bookending the Academy Awards on ABC. Titled Poolside, the bit was meant as "brand provocation" and whether you enjoyed it or not – sentiment is said to run 3:1 on the pro side – we can probably all agree it fulfilled its role as such. If you were one of those who felt the ad erred on the side of nationalistic consumerism (or what have you), your anger might be somewhat assuaged after reading this article from Advertising Age in which Bierley addresses most of what he believes are misconceptions about the message. For one, the spot isn't aimed at the One Percent, just those who make $200,000 a year. Or, as Craig Bierley, Cadillac's advertising director, calls them, "people who haven't been given anything." Bierley told Advertising Age that the spot doesn't celebrate workaholicsm, instead, "We're not making a statement saying, 'We want people to work hard.' What we're saying is that hard work has its payoffs.'" While our commentors seemed mostly to enjoy discussing the value proposition that is (or is not, depending on your point of view) the Cadillac ELR, the majority appeared to enjoy the commercial. If you were one of those offended, however, let us know if your opinion has changed upon reading Cadillac's defense. If you don't remember what all the fuss was about, scroll below to take another dip in Poolside.

2020 Cadillac XT4 Sport Drivers' Notes | Worth a look, or two

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 is Cadillac’s smallest crossover in its burgeoning lineup of SUVs. Most of the attention is on the new Escalade these days, but the XT4 is where someone with a lighter budget might enter the Cadillac brand. Our tester happens to be the Sport model, giving it a distinctive appearance, separate from the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims. This one has a gloss black mesh grille, black trim throughout the exterior and Sport-specific wheels — the others rely much more heavily on chrome. Cadillac stepped it up in the design studio for the XT4, as one of its best qualities is the exterior design. It compares well to other small crossovers and doesn't look like your typical cookie-cutter crossover on the road. ThereÂ’s only one engine available, and itÂ’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. When the XT4 came out for the 2019 model year, this engine was brand new. Today, Cadillac is passing it around the lineup to vehicles like the CT5 and CT4. A nine-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission option, as well. Our tester has all-wheel drive, but front-wheel drive is standard on lesser XT4s. There isnÂ’t a whole lot changed for the 2020 model year, but Cadillac did add an “Off Road” mode and made a bunch of safety equipment standard. With our test car being a Sport trim with all-wheel drive equipped, the base price is $42,295, a fair bit greater than the $36,690 standard car. After options, our XT4 totaled $48,310. The most expensive extra is a $1,500 Bose Centerpoint audio system, combined with navigation. An $1,100 Driver Assistance package brought adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic emergency braking. A Cold Weather package added heated seats all around and a heated steering wheel for $850. Finally, the $470 Driver Awareness package brought automatic high beams and lane-keep assist. Senior Editor, Green John Beltz Snyder: This one grew on me the more I drove it. I was unconvinced for the first part of my drive, but then things started to feel more well-though-out as I used them. For instance, the line of buttons across the center stack looks daunting, until you turn the car on and their labels are illuminated. Then everything is easy to find thanks to the lighting, symmetry and the fact that you only have to look down a single line of buttons rather than hunt around a grid pattern.

Cadillac Super Cruise priced from $2,500 on the 2021 Escalade

Super Cruise will find its next home in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The brand had rolled out Super Cruise three years ago on the CT6 as a $5,000 option for the top two trims, then switched up pricing for 2020 when MSRP increases on the top two trims made the more full-featured Super Cruise standard. Cadillac Society reports that the brand will make the hands-free driving technology an option on all but the base 2021 Escalade. On the Premium Luxury and Sport, the feature will cost $2,500, but requires the $3,650 Driver Assist and Technology Package that bundles adaptive cruise control, air ride adaptive suspension, automatic seat belt tightening and soft-close/cinching doors, enhanced automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking, and illuminated front sill plates. This brings the total to $6,150 for the middle two trims. The top Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims include the Driver Assist Package, making Super Cruise a no-fuss $2,500 option. The pricing is the same on the standard model and long-wheelbase ESV trims. Earlier this year, Cadillac announced the improvements its made to the SAE Level 2 autonomous driving system, prime among them being the automatic lane change feature. After the driver flicks the turn stalk to indicate the desired lane, the system will automatically locate an opening in traffic where it can safely change lanes. Numerous small improvements will make life easier for drivers, too, like 70,000 more miles of compatible highways, easier Super Cruise engagement, finer steering and speed control, smoother turns, better control through highway interchanges, and much richer map information. After the Escalade, the CT4 and CT5 sedans, and the XT6 are in line to receive Super Cruise blessings. A couple of years ago there were rumors that the XT4 and XT5 would get Super Cruise, but that's likely a ways off, if it happens. Related Video: