It’s big.
That is the first thing you notice when you climb into a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. It isn’t just about the sheer acreage of the leather or the fact that you’re sitting higher than most delivery truck drivers. It’s the way the cabin wraps around you in a mix of old-school American excess and a specific era of General Motors tech that was trying very, very hard to be futuristic.
Honestly, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade interior is a fascinating study in transition. 2017 was the year Cadillac decided to stop apologizing for being big and started leaning into being "The Standard of the World" again. They didn't quite hit the mark of the German rivals in terms of surgical precision, but they nailed the feeling of sitting in a high-end cigar lounge that just happens to move at highway speeds.
The smell of real cowhide and the "Cut-and-Sewn" promise
Most luxury SUVs today use synthetic materials that feel like a high-grade yoga mat. Cadillac didn't do that. For 2017, the brand doubled down on their "cut-and-sew" interior process. If you look at the dashboard of a Platinum trim, you’re seeing hand-wrapped leather with live stitching. It’s uneven in places. That is actually a good thing. It looks like a human being touched it, rather than a robot in a sterile factory.
The leather isn't just on the seats. It’s on the door panels, the center console, and even parts of the lower dash where your knees might hit. If you find a model with the Kona Brown or Jet Black Semi-Aniline leather, you’re getting hides that are softer than what you'll find in a modern 2024 Chevy Tahoe. It’s thick. It’s heavy. It smells like a Western wear shop in the best way possible.
But here is where things get a little weird. Underneath all that beautiful leather is some plastic that feels… well, a bit like a Silverado. You’ll find it on the lower door pockets and the seat adjustment buttons. It’s a reminder that Cadillac is still a GM product. Most owners don't care, but if you’re coming from a Range Rover, you’ll notice the "click-clack" of the cheaper buttons immediately.
Dealing with the CUE system: A love-hate relationship
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the glossy black screen in the middle of the dashboard. The Cadillac User Experience, or CUE, is the centerpiece of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade interior.
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In 2017, Cadillac updated the processor. It was faster than the 2015 and 2016 versions, which were notoriously laggy. But it still relies on haptic feedback. Instead of real buttons, you tap a flat piece of plastic, and the car "pulses" to let you know it felt you.
It’s polarizing. Some people find it sleek. Others want to throw their coffee at it because trying to adjust the volume while hitting a pothole is an exercise in frustration.
Why the 2017 CUE update actually matters
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: This was the sweet spot where these features became standard and actually worked smoothly.
- The Rear Camera Mirror: This was a massive deal in 2017. You flip the tab on the rearview mirror, and it turns into a high-res video screen. It removes the headrests and the pillars from your field of vision. It’s like magic for a vehicle this long.
- The Hidden Compartment: There is a motorized faceplate. Tap a silver bar under the screen, and the whole panel motorizes upward to reveal a velvet-lined cubby with a USB port. It’s the perfect spot for a wallet or a phone you want to keep out of sight.
The seating situation: It’s not as big as it looks
You would think a vehicle the size of a small apartment would have infinite legroom. You would be wrong. The 2017 Escalade sits on a body-on-frame chassis. Because the frame is so robust, the floor is high.
In the front? You’re a king. The seats are wide and, in higher trims, they feature a massage function that actually works. It doesn't just vibrate; it kneads your lower back like a determined physical therapist.
The second row is usually a pair of captain's chairs. They are comfortable, but they don't slide as far back as you’d expect. If you’re six-foot-four, your knees might be closer to the front seat than you’d like.
Then there’s the third row. Unless you bought the ESV (the long-wheelbase version), the third row is basically for children or people you don't particularly like. The floor is so high that your knees sit up by your chin. It’s a "stadium seating" vibe that works for short trips to dinner, but don't ask an adult to sit back there for a drive from New York to Philly.
The silence of the cabin
Cadillac went overboard with sound deadening for the 2017 model. They used triple-sealed doors and acoustic-laminated glass. They even put active noise cancellation in the Bose surround sound system.
It is eerie.
You can be doing 80 mph on a concrete highway and carry on a whisper-quiet conversation with the person in the back seat. This is where the 2017 Cadillac Escalade interior justifies its original $80,000+ price tag. It feels isolated from the world. It’s a sensory deprivation tank on 22-inch wheels.
Practicality and the "Bose" effect
The 16-speaker Bose Centerpoint system was tuned specifically for this cabin. It’s heavy on the bass, which fits the Escalade’s personality perfectly. Whether you’re listening to a podcast or 90s hip-hop, the sound stage is expansive.
Storage is decent, but not class-leading. The center console is deep—deep enough to hold a few tablets or a small purse—and in some models, it even has a cooler box built-in. Yes, a refrigerated compartment for your water bottles. It’s a gimmick that you will use every single day during the summer.
Cargo space reality check
- Behind the 3rd row: It’s tiny. You can fit maybe three grocery bags or a slim briefcase.
- Seats folded: This is where the Escalade becomes a van. The power-folding buttons in the trunk are fast. You can drop the second and third rows in seconds, creating a flat floor that can swallow a 4x8 sheet of plywood if you're brave enough to put construction materials on that leather.
What usually breaks (The "Real World" Expert View)
If you are looking at a used 2017 Escalade today, you need to check the interior for three specific things.
First, the CUE screen. The "silvering" or delamination of the screen is a known issue. If the screen looks like it has spiderwebs inside it or doesn't respond to touch, it’s a $1,000 fix.
Second, the vibrating seat. The Safety Alert Seat uses small motors to buzz your thigh if you're drifting out of your lane. Those motors can burn out. If you test drive one, make sure the seat actually "talks" to you.
Third, the magnetic ride control. While not strictly an "interior" feature, the button on the dash that toggles the suspension mode can sometimes fail. You want to make sure the car doesn't feel like a pogo stick.
Actionable insights for the prospective owner
If you’re hunting for a 2017 Cadillac Escalade interior that will hold its value and provide the best experience, aim for the Platinum trim. The 2017 Platinum was the pinnacle of that generation. You get the sueded microfiber headliner which makes the whole cabin feel infinitely more expensive than the standard cloth version.
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Quick checklist for your inspection:
- Check the "hidden" motorized cubby under the CUE screen. If it stutters or grinds, the motor is dying.
- Look at the driver's side seat bolster. The heavy leather is prone to "cracking" if the previous owner didn't condition it.
- Test the rear-seat entertainment screens. There are often two or three of them. Make sure the remote and the infrared headphones are actually in the glovebox.
The 2017 interior isn't perfect. It has quirks. The tech is starting to show its age compared to the OLED screens in the new 2021+ models. But there is a soul in this cabin. It feels heavy, substantial, and unapologetically American. It’s a place where you can spend ten hours driving across the country and arrive feeling less tired than when you started. That is the hallmark of a true luxury interior.
If you are buying one, skip the base trim. The difference in material quality between a Base and a Premium Luxury or Platinum is night and day. Spend the extra money for the real wood inlays and the massaging seats. Your lower back will thank you two hours into your next road trip.