A massive sports utility vehicle (SUV) measuring 2 meters in height and weighing 4 tons glides smoothly on the road. Pressing the accelerator, 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 of 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. Sitting in 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, yet its maximum power of 750 horsepower propelled it forward with a heavy but stable force. Magnetic Ride Control and air suspension absorbed road shocks, providing a comfortable ride even in such a large vehicle.
Yet, the most impressive aspect of this test drive was not its grand presence or overwhelming performance, but the hands-free driver assistance system known as 'Super Cruise.' Activating Super Cruise on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro, the Freeway, and the Incheon International Airport Expressway allowed the vehicle to continue driving autonomously while the driver took their hands off the wheel. The vehicle maintained a consistent distance from the car ahead and navigated the road's curves. When the turn signal was activated, it assessed the surroundings to change lanes and even recognized upcoming construction zones to switch lanes autonomously.
It is important to note that while Super Cruise allows hands-free driving, it does not mean the driver can neglect attention to the road. As it corresponds to Level 2 autonomous driving, the driver is still required to monitor the road ahead.
Monitoring cameras installed around the steering wheel immediately detect if the driver closes their eyes or looks away, triggering a warning sound. If the driver does not respond to the warning lights and seat vibrations, the Super Cruise function must be restarted to be used again. Utilizing infrared cameras, it can verify the driver's attention even at night or when wearing sunglasses. General Motors is working on introducing Level 3 driving technology, which would relax the requirement for the driver to monitor the road, 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 complete hands-off driving in supported areas.
However, the price poses a barrier to entry. The domestic selling price of the internal combustion engine 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 undoubtedly established a solid fan base. While its overwhelming size and performance have always been its appeal, Super Cruise adds new 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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