2025 Cadillac Escalade Review

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade has been refreshed, including updated styling and features; and most notably, while the gas-powered V8 remains, the available diesel engine is gone.

Tested here is the regular-length Escalade, but you can also get the longer Escalade ESV, which has more third-row legroom and cargo capacity. The Escalade starts in Luxury trim at $120,899, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,600. From there, the Premium and Sport trims go either full-on lux or with sporty styling cues, respectively, at $133,499 each. The next step is the Premium Luxury Platinum or my Sport Platinum tester, both at $158,499; and with options, mine came to $160,769. Beyond that, there’s a 682-hp Escalade V starting at $211,199.

Styling 8 / 10

The Escalade’s changes for 2025 include new front-end lighting borrowed from the electric Escalade IQ, and some tweaks to the rear lights. There are 24-inch wheels available, and my tester had them for an additional $2,075. The interior now adds a Jet Black interior seen here, with leather-and-fabric seats in contrasting grey, along with 126-colour ambient lighting. The dash features wall-to-wall screens, including a passenger-side version that can play media for the occupant there.

Safety 8 / 10

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn’t crash-tested the 2025 Escalade at the time of writing, but gave the 2024 version four out of five stars. It hadn’t been assessed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), either.

Standard driver-assist technologies on all trims include emergency front and rear braking, surround-view camera, side bicyclist alert, safety alert seat, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and Super Cruise, which is adaptive cruise control that lets you drive hands-free on pre-mapped roads. Upper trims can add night vision, blind-spot assist while trailering, and a head-up display.

Features 9 / 10

The Escalade is well kitted out, as you’d expect for the price. Standard features include a hands-free tailgate, heated front and rear seats and steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and a wireless charger. The Sport trim adds a panoramic power sunroof, head-up display, ventilated front seats, and rear camera mirror.

But I was in the top Sport Platinum trim, and so on top of the Sport’s features, I also had power-retractable side steps, adaptive air suspension, 36-speaker premium audio, rear-seat screens, massaging front seats, and power front and rear doors that open or close when the handles are lightly pulled. It’s also possible to set it so the driver’s door opens when you walk toward it with the key.

User-Friendliness 7 / 10

Almost everything is done through screens, with the infotainment display handled either by touch or through a dial in the centre console. Climate control is through another screen on the console. Some of the functions, such as fan speed, have an annoying little lag between your tap and the system’s response. Some functions are also hidden deep within the menus; and in one of those tech-for-the-sake-of-tech scenarios, even opening the glove box requires finding an icon, rather than pushing a hard button. The passenger-side screen can play media from a phone, but it’s invisible to the driver when it does.

Practicality 8 / 10

The Escalade can fit as many as eight occupants in lower trims, but the Platinum models come only with second-row captain’s chairs for a maximum of seven. Further available, but not included here, is a second-row “Executive” package that includes massaging seats, centre console, two wireless chargers, and stowable tray tables.

With the third row upright, cargo volume is 722 L. If you consistently fill all three rows and those passengers’ luggage, you may have to do as the airport livery companies do and move up to the Escalade ESV with its 1,175 L of space. Consider your needs when determining the length of Cadillac you need. Towing capacity for the regular-length Escalade is 3,629 kg (8,000 lb), while payload is 717 kg (1,581 lb).

Comfort 9 / 10

The Escalade can get a bit wallowy over uneven pavement, but once you’re past the potholes, the ride is smooth and aided by the standard air suspension and magnetorheological dampers. Those use shock absorber fluid with tiny metal particles, where magnets cause them to stiffen or soften the shocks almost instantly as needed.

The seats are long-distance comfortable in the first and second rows, and especially with the massaging function up front. The third row is flatter, but legroom is good and the seats are set high from the floor, so you don’t sit with your chin on your knees as with many three-row models.

Power 8 / 10

The Escalade is propelled by a 6.2L V8 engine that makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and with standard four-wheel drive. Despite the Escalade’s size and weight, the V8 has no trouble getting it quickly up to speed, either from a stop or passing on the highway. 

Driving Feel 8 / 10

The Escalade is a big vehicle, but doesn’t always feel its size thanks to its responsive handling and relatively tight turning circle. It leans in corners, as you’d expect given its height; but surprisingly, the ride is comfortable given the short sidewall on those 24-inch tires. The four-wheel-drive system includes two-wheel drive, along with high- and low-range gearing for the four-wheel drive, which should only be used on loose surfaces; and finally, an automatic setting for the four-wheel traction, which can be driven on asphalt and is handy when roads are wet or snowy.

Fuel Economy 7 / 10

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates the Escalade at 16.6 L/100 km in the city, 13.0 on the highway, and 15.0 combined; and in my week with it, I came close at 15.4 L/100 km. Premium fuel is recommended but not required. Most of the Cadillac’s competitors use turbocharged six-cylinder engines and are rated lower, from the Lincoln Navigator at 13.5, to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer at 14.3 L/100 km.

Value 7 / 10

The Escalade runs from $120,899 to $158,499. You get a lot of features for that, but that’s also the case with its full-size, body-on-frame competitors. The Lincoln Navigator, also made over for 2025, starts higher at $128,595 but tops out with its new Black Label trim at $151,595. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is approximately $113,554 to $137,314; while the Infiniti QX80 runs from $107,490 to $127,490. You can also consider the GMC Yukon, the Escalade’s mechanical sibling, which starts at $107,599 in Denali trim and at $134,599 for the Denali Ultimate (all prices including delivery). 

The Verdict

This biggest-of-the-big luxury segment has a relatively small but loyal following. Cadillac has long held a wide sales lead in it, and the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade should keep fans happy. It can also be cross-shopped against its siblings Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon also, which offer the same interior space and practicality as the Escalade and at a lower price; but if you want all the bells and whistles, this is the one.