Nine years ago, when I started this blog, I was blown away by a CarMax vehicle offered for OVER $100,000 – a 2017 Mercedes AMG GT with 2,000 miles for $114,998 (the price got reduced by $10,000 before selling). Seemed crazy expensive then. How quaint now. Today CarMax has 59 cars for sale over $100,000: 28 German vehicles, 23 GM products, 5 Range Rovers, a Ford, a Tesla, and a Lexus. CarMax’s most expensive vehicle today is priced at $174,998. And it’s an American SUV. Not technically a unicorn at this price, but interesting nonetheless.
Here it is: a 2026 Cadillac Escalade V with less than 6,000 miles. CarMax has over 100 Escalades, but only three “V” models. I didn’t even know there was a V model, even though Cadillac introduced it in 2023. The “V” has 262 more horsepower than a vanilla Escalade, powered by a version of the CT5-V Blackwing supercharged V-8 rated at 682 horsepower. (It may be the highest-priced vehicle at CarMax, but it is NOT the most horsepower you can get from them – that would be the 2021 Mustang Shelby GT500 with 760 horsepower – at a bargain price of $83,000!
The Road & Track review of the three-ton SUV was titled, “2026 Cadillac Escalade-V Isn’t the Best Escalade. It’s the Most Escalade.” With a 10-speed automatic transmission, it zips to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That’s good but not great. I’m familiar with a 2021 Mercedes GLE63 AMG that will do it in less than four seconds. For the record. On the flip side, R&T registered a pitiful 0.69 g on the skidpad – noting “a Chrysler Pacifica on all-season tires does 0.89 g.”
For $174,998, you get a truly luxurious interior. Everything available from GM is included. That said, R&T thinks the electric Escalade IQ is more luxurious (only $126k at CarMax) and the $44,000 less when new Escalade Platinum to be a better all-around SUV deal.
The rear appears to be a two-seater configuration. Full center console controls and video display for the pax.
The acrylic-looking arc at the top center of the steering wheel indicates Super Cruise self-driving, maybe the best in the industry.
Yeah, maybe only a pair of people in the second row, but you can squeeze three more in the back.
Maybe because I attended a funeral for a friend yesterday, I just had to Google it, and no, an Escalade, even with the seats down, will not hold a casket. Thought it looked big enough.
Above, we have the powerful hand-built 6.2L supercharged LT4 V8 engine, much like a Corvette. A beast. The 2026 Cadillac Escalade V sold new for maybe $180,000 and hasn’t depreciated at all – it’s still pretty much new. You can get a 2023 Escalade V with 42,000 miles for only $103k from CarMax – a way better deal. Same powertrain. Or pick up a 2020 Escalade Platinum for $40,000 – still has a 420 horsepower V8. Anyway, this 2026 Escalade V is on hold here in Lexington, Kentucky. Someone thinks it might be the right one. If it were me? Scroll down to see the fleet I might buy instead with $175k.
Just for fun: if I had that much money to burn, I’d buy a sports car, an SUV, and a luxury long-distance sensible cruiser for my road trips. I could make a case for a cheaper sports car and add a fourth car – a manual toy like a VW GTI, but I really want another 911. Who doesn’t? I’d be curious what you all would buy with $175,000. Shoot me a message if you will?
