This thing towers at 6'4" with tiny windows and an art-deco-meets-armored-car vibe that'll either make you feel powerful or ridiculous, there's no middle ground. It's built for families who need serious space and buyers who want the biggest luxury statement GM makes, but the sheer size means you're piloting a land yacht with the visibility of a tank. One owner considering the Escalade V for LA-to-Tahoe road trips shows the appeal: room, comfort, and V8 power for long hauls. But the design draws laughs and tailgating suburban-mom stereotypes in equal measure. If you want maximum space and don't mind the fuel bills or the stares, it delivers. If you value nimbleness, efficiency, or subtlety, look elsewhere.
The R1S is the electric SUV that actually goes off-road, with supercar acceleration and 410-mile range wrapped in a thoughtful three-row package, until you hit the systematic wind noise, suspension rattles, and software bugs that plague both generations. Gen 2's emergency door release requires removing interior trim panels to escape, a design choice that borders on reckless in a family vehicle. If you're willing to beta-test a startup's learning curve at $78k-$127k and can live with inconsistent service access, the capability is genuinely special; most buyers will find more polish and peace of mind in a Model X or established luxury brand.