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2018 Cadillac Escalade Gets 10-Speed Automatic Transmission, Revised Center Console & More

The Cadillac Escalade is one desirable and lucrative vehicle: not only is the full-size prestige luxury SUV an item of lust the world over, but it’s also believed to be the most profitable vehicle for General Motors and for Cadillac. After receiving some welcome updates for the 2017 model year such, as the Cadillac Rear Camera Mirror, Forward Automatic Braking, Teen Driver, Rear Seat Reminder, and various changes to equipment groups and trim levels, the Escalade and Escalade ESV are getting more welcome updates for 2018.

Exterior

On the outside, the 2018 Escalade does away with two colors while adding one new one:

Deleted Colors

  • Deep Amethyst Metallic
  • Silver Coast Metallic

New Color

  • Satin Steel Metallic; available at extra charge; no additional charge on Platinum

The only other change to the exterior is the addition of new 22-inch, 12-spoke polished wheels as option on the Platinum trim level.

2018 Cadillac Escalade in Satin Steel Metallic G9K

2018 Cadillac Escalade in new-for 2018 Satin Steel Metallic G9K

2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV in Satin Steel Metallic G9K

2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV in new-for 2018 Satin Steel Metallic G9K

Interior

Inside, the 2018 Escalade replaces two color combinations with two new ones:

Deleted Interior Color Combinations:

  • Shale with Cocoa accents
  • Tuscan Brown

New Interior Color Combinations:

  • Shale with Jet Black accents on Escalade (base), Luxury and Premium Luxury trim levels
  • Maple Sugar with Jet Black accents on Platinum trim level only

What’s more, the 2018 model’s cabin gets a revamped center console with deeper and wider cup holders and improved bin lighting. The seat memory switches on the door trim are repositioned to be higher on the door panel for easier access. There’s also a new console bin organizer.

Technology

On the technology side, the Escalade sees an update to its Full-Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control, which can now resume and engage from stop. It can now also be switchable to Regular Cruise Control.

Also added is the new Tire Fill Alert as part of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Mechanical

Arguably the biggest change is mechanical: as we reported previously, the 2018 Escalade replaces the 8-speed automatic transmission with the new GM 10-speed automatic 10L80 unit, which is electronically controlled and features overdrive, tow/haul mode and tap up/tap down shifting.

Accessories

The 2018 Escalade sees the addition of two new accessories:

  • A performance front brake kit, which features red Brembo 6-piston calipers with DuraLife rotors that feature a hardened surface to reduce corrosion and provide quieter braking with less vibration; this accessory was actually introduced late in the 2017 model year for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade
  • A new cargo area organizer

What Didn’t Make The Cut

Those (like us) hoping to see a high-performance Escalade V-Sport or Escalade-V will be disappointed, as such a model doesn’t appear to be in the cards for the 2018 model year. And given that the next Cadillac Escalade on the GM T1 platform is right around the corner, we would say that the chances of such a model being introduced at this point in time are slim to none.

Assembly

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is built at the GM Arlington factory in Texas alongside other SUVs on the GM K2 platform, including the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2018 Chevrolet Suburban, 2018 GMC Yukon, and 2018 GMC Yukon XL.

The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.

More Information & Reporting

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. Wouldn’t it be cool if GM invested the money/resources to make the Escalade 100% visually distinct inside and out from the other GM SUVs??? …like Cadillac were an entirely different automaker completely detached from GM.

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  2. Whatever happened to the Escalade EXT model?

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    1. It died in a horrific boating accident back in 2013.

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  3. IRS anytime soon? Console mounted gear shift anytime soon? Time to modernize here Cadillac. Especially at this price point.

    Reply
  4. 2019 Escalade, Next Generation T1 chassis(lighter weight, body panels ) 10 speed automatic standard, IRS, height adjustable air suspension, NEW DOHC Cadillac TT V8 engine, New Cadillac TT six cylinder diesel v6 engine.

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    1. Good news! Thanks

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    2. How do you know that the next Escalade is brand new for ’19? The next model should hit as a ’20 or ’21 model. ’19 is too soon for a redesign.

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      1. Let me just say that the above information — though great in theory — is highly speculative and probably off by at least one model year.

        Here are our expectations on the next Escalade.

        Reply
  5. Great to see welcome changes for this flagship vehicle for Cadillac. Somewhat sad to see the Tuscan Brown interior to be gone though. But other than that, excellent.

    Reply
  6. Is the Escalade getting the new CUE system ? Not much difference from the 17 MY truck other than the 10 speed tranny . I agree with Ed about the column shifter , it seems old school and cheap for such an iconic and expensive SUV . Hopefully when the new one shows up Cadillac will move it to the console and not plague it with the type we see in the CT6 .

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    1. What’s wrong with the CT6’s shifter? It’s the best shifter GM makes, bar none!

      Reply
  7. Man Alex you are quick to jump , I meant the XT5 , which hasn’t received a lot of praise in the news . I don’t have a prob;em with it but some consumers don’t care for it . Take a chill pill dude ! I messed up , ok !?! Even I get confused with Cadillacs new name philosophy .

    Reply
  8. One has to wonder whether it’s time to make the 640 horsepower LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 available in Cadillac”s Escalade; but instead of it being a V-model, it would simply be an engine upgrade as buyers want their SUV and CUV to be like the sedans of yesteryear where you can get a low horsepower base engine or a real beast because the competition for sports luxury SUV and CUV is to offer high horsepower engines and the only way Cadillac can compete is to make the LT4 available as an engine option (it would include transmission, suspension and tires.. except it wouldn’t be classified as being an Escalade V).

    Reply

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