A massive sports utility vehicle (SUV) measuring 2 meters in height and weighing 4 tons glides smoothly on the road. When the accelerator is pressed, the hefty body accelerates without hesitation, and on highways, it maintains its lane and follows the car ahead even when the driver takes their hands off the wheel. This is the Cadillac Escalade, the flagship SUV of the American luxury brand.
On October 20, I alternated test drives between the Cadillac Escalade and the electric Escalade IQ over a round trip of approximately 120 kilometers from Yongsan in Seoul to Yeongjongdo in Incheon. The first impression was undoubtedly its overwhelming size. The Escalade IQ, the first full-size electric SUV in South Korea, measures 5,715 mm in length and has a wheelbase of 3,460 mm. From the driver's seat, the elevated view and the wide hood made the vehicle's size apparent.
However, once on the road, the driving experience differed from the initial impression. Despite its large and heavy frame, acceleration and deceleration were smooth. The Escalade IQ has a curb weight of 4,265 kg, but its maximum power of 750 horsepower propelled it forward with a heavy yet stable force. Magnetic Ride Control and air suspension absorbed road shocks, providing a smooth ride even for such a large vehicle.
Yet, the most impressive feature during this test drive was not its grand presence or overwhelming performance, but rather the hands-free driver assistance system known as 'Super Cruise.' When activated on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro, the Jayuro, and the Incheon International Airport Expressway, the vehicle continued to drive autonomously even with the driver's hands off the wheel. It maintained a consistent distance from the car ahead while navigating the road's curves. When the turn signal was activated, it assessed the surrounding conditions to change lanes and even recognized upcoming construction zones to switch lanes autonomously.
However, it's important to note that while Super Cruise allows for hands-free driving, it does not eliminate the driver's responsibility to monitor the road. As it corresponds to Level 2 autonomous driving, the driver is still required to keep an eye on the road.
Monitoring cameras installed around the steering wheel immediately detect if the driver is not paying attention, such as closing their eyes or looking away, and emit a warning sound. If the driver does not respond to the warning lights and seat vibrations, the Super Cruise function must be manually reactivated. Utilizing infrared cameras, it can monitor the driver's attention even at night or when wearing sunglasses. General Motors is working on introducing Level 3 driving technology, which would ease the requirement for the driver to pay attention, by 2028.
Compared to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD), there are differences in how the technology is implemented. While Tesla's FSD relies on camera-based artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt to various road environments, Super Cruise combines pre-mapped detailed road information with cameras, radar, and GPS to support hands-free driving on designated roads. Unlike Tesla's FSD, which requires the driver to keep their hands on the wheel, Super Cruise allows for complete hands-off driving in supported areas.
However, the price poses a barrier to entry. The domestic selling price of the gas-powered Escalade starts at 168.07 million won, while the Escalade IQ reaches 277.57 million won. The massive size can also be a challenge in narrow urban roads or parking spaces.
Nonetheless, the Escalade has clearly established a solid fan base. While its overwhelming size and performance have always been its appeal, Super Cruise adds a new dimension of value. The experience of driving steadily on the road without hands on the wheel is enough to redefine the conventional concept of driving.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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