The 2021 Cadillac is coming. The all-new, completely-overhauled Escalade was revealed back in February, while the Escalade ESV was officially shown just last week. With pricing announced, orders opened last Thursday and the very first units are currently scheduled to touch down in this fall. All that we’ve already reported before. What we haven’t reported is on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Onyx Package.
2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport in Crystal White Tricoat. Monochromatic Cadillac emblem or Onyx Package not pictured.
Assigned production code PDB and offered on the Sport trim level, the package includes the following features:
- Monochromatic Cadillac emblems
- Gloss Black Escalade nameplate
- 22-inch, 12-Spoke High Gloss Black finish alloy wheels
Wheel included in the Onyx Package
Arguably the most interesting feature in that list are the monochromatic Cadillac emblems, which replace the traditional multi-color Cadillac crests on the grille and liftgate. The monochromatic logos are noteworthy, since it’s the first time Cadillac is offering them on its vehicles.
“But Cadillac already uses monochromatic logos on its cars, what’s the big deal,” you might ask. Well, a silver logo is – indeed – currently utilized on the front fenders of current Caddys, a trend that started with the first model years of the Cadillac CT6 and XT5. But as it turns out, those badges are silver, which is not the same as monochromatic.
Though photos of these monochromatic logos are not available at the moment, Cadillac’s Arianna Kughn described them to Cadillac Society as being “more grey versus silver/chrome [on the fenders].”
Not to toot our horn, but we would like to point out that Cadillac Society exclusively reported back in 2018 that the luxury automaker was considering using logos devoid of the yellow, red and blue colors on its vehicles.
The monochromatic theme is a developing trend in the automobile industry that is (mostly) purchased by a younger demographic, and – as we mentioned earlier – the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Onyx Package becomes the first Caddy to offer the color-less Crest logo. In fact, the package completes the elimination of the only remaining shiny bits from the vehicle (nameplate, wheels and logos).
We imagine that the black exterior trim bits of the Sport model (that are otherwise finished in chrome on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models), combined with the new monochromatic logos, black wheels and black nameplate badge, will look very ominous on Cadillac’s all-new flagship SUV.
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Sport in Black Raven. Monochromatic Cadillac emblem or Onyx Package not pictured.
Meanwhile, those that prefer the more “traditional” multi-color Crest need not worry, since this monochromatic logo is merely an option, and the traditional crest with all the colors will remain standard on all 2021 Escalade trims and models.
We’ll have more about the all-new Escalade and Escalade ESV in the near future, and invite you to subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac Escalade news and around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
Ted Pastuszak Jr
While not necessarily monochromatic, the badge on the nose of the STS 1992 – 1997 series was devoid of all color. An astonishing design that had only one other wreath and crest on the exterior, and that was on the bezel that surrounded the key opening on the trunk. The text on the bezel read, “Cadillac Motor Car Division,” which I thought was remarkable to see on a production car. The wheels had “STS” on the centers, no Cadillac logos or IDs. I think the intent was to visually identify the car as a Cadillac by the styling, a technique designers supposedly used during the golden years of automobile design in the 1930’s.
Anyway, it’s great to see the concept return!
Christopher Cummings
The no-color badge is not really a new thing. All Cadillacs from 1959 through 1962 had monchromatic emblems on hood and trunk.
Anyway, when you have a really nice looking piece of heraldry for your badge, it’s a pity to abstract it into a linear cypher just to do something new. But that seems to be the thing to to. Why not make like some of the Asian brands and just do a stylized initial letter? ( in case it’s not clear).
Christopher Cummings
(Last sentence should have read “Sarcasm, in case it’s not clear.)
Greg
Would you have said the same thing in 1959 through 1962?
Also, 1974 to 1977 most Coupe and Sedan de Ville models sported a simplified see-through crest stand up hood ornament.
I feel that a main strength of the Cadillac crest is it’s adaptability. It offers the possibility of many different mutations of its elements while remaining instanty recognizable.
Jeff
My 2019 CT6 Emblems on the front fender area are monochromatic
Alex Luft
If you read the article, you would see that the emblems on the front fenders of all current Cadillac vehicles are NOT the same as the monochromatic logos in store for the Onyx package. We have yet to see the monochromatic ones.