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2020 Cadillac Escalade Caught Testing For The Very First Time: Spy Pictures

We’ve already seen prototypes of the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2020 GMC Yukon undergoing testing. What we haven’t seen is the 2020 Cadillac Escalade, until now.

Our spy caught up to a convoy of next-gen GM full-size SUVs that included the current Cadillac Escalade as well as the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, for benchmarking purposes. What we see here is the 2020 Escalade in regular length form, as opposed to the extended-length Escalade ESV variant. The vast amounts of camouflage does a good job at covering up the most important luxury SUV’s elements, but we can still make out a few notable elements.

2020 Cadillac Escalade - Spy Shots - Exterior - December 2018 0003

If you look hard enough, you’ll see the future Cadillac Escalade hiding the brand’s new shield-like mesh grille, initially previewed by the Cadillac Escala concept, and then brought to production by the 2019 XT4, and soon-to-be-discontinued 2019 CT6. The front lighting treatment also seems to adopt elements from the Escala, including a headlamp treatment that gains a horizontal portion that reaches toward the center. Even so, Cadillac’s signature vertical element is still present and accounted for.

2020 Cadillac Escalade - Spy Shots - Exterior - December 2018 0006

The vertical Daytime Running Lights maintains the brand’s trademark verticality, while encompassing the majority of the vehicle’s forward lighting elements. It’s worth noting that the the vertical DRLs also serve as the turn indicators.

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade prototype is also wearing a unique mirror that seems to encompass additional sensors, likely for the GM SuperCruise autonomous driving technology that will undoubtedly make its way to the brand’s range-topping utility.

2020 Cadillac Escalade - Spy Shots - Exterior - December 2018 0008

At the rear, the tail-lights still be positioned vertically, though camouflage prevents us from seeing just how far they will run up the D-pillar. We expect the 2020 Escalade to adopt a rear lighting treatment similar to that of the 2019 Cadillac XT4, with vertical light strips joining horizontal units.

The bottom end of the rear fascia adopts a set of rectangular exhaust tips that are integrated into the rear bumper. That’s a notable departure from the current model, which has a single non-exposed exhaust outlet tucked under the passenger-side of the vehicle, while also being different from the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, which will feature an exhaust setup with four circular outlets (at least on some trims).

2020 Cadillac Escalade - Spy Shots - Exterior - December 2018 0012

The entire ensemble rides on massive 22-inch wheels wrapped in 275/50 R22 Bridgestone rubber. The team didn’t care to cover up the Cadillac insignia on some of the wheels, serving as further proof that we’re indeed looking at the next-gen, 2020 Cadillac Escalade.

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Comments

  1. Next year is going to be a crucial year for General Motors because not only are some of their most important products, the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon/XL are getting overhauled, but their iconic Escalade is as well. Very excited to see them once their unveiled and go on sale!

    Reply
    1. General Motors has something like 65% market share among full sized SUVs.

      This is their core competency. They will knock this out of the park.

      Reply
      1. That’s what we thought about the new Silverado(s) though, didn’t we now… #24gallons #MPGdecrease I am and always will be a Chevy guy, but its getting very hard.

        I’m very excited for the new SUV’s.

        However I am already a bit disappointed.

        Just look at the size of that windshield! why bother? Just replace it with a screen and cameras…. Same with the absolutely minuscule mirrors.

        Also very sad to see those 4ft taillights go. when sitting in traffic at night, you could tell it was an Escalade from miles away.

        Reply
  2. I can’t wait to see this one. I’ve heard great things about it.

    Reply
  3. “I hate the interior”……. Covered

    Reply
  4. Looks huge and I like it, the interior has already been mentioned as going to be earth shattering and that’s a good thing. I’m just happy they didn’t go to a rounded design and stuck with the box look.

    Reply
  5. Are those? Are those actual round fenders????? It better not be just fake cladding.

    About time it had dual exhausts, the panoramic roof better be on board as well.

    Body looks massive, I thought it was riding on 20s at first. I see it continues with the curved lower body the 3rd & 4th gen had, the rear bumper still doesn’t completely hide the spare tire & the shark fin antenna is carried over as well. The V-shaped grille inserts are on point.

    Is it riding on an air suspension?

    The interior my the biggest concern, competition is fierce & there’s no mercy.

    Reply
    1. That is actually quad exhaust if you look close enough, they combine into two units. I’m hoping gan updated 6.2 getting almost 500hp and the blackwing given close to 600.

      Reply
  6. “Is it riding on an air suspension?”

    It’s sure showing a freakish amount of inner fender, and it’s about time it had a lowering suspension for easier entry and better hwy mpg. OTOH, the air deflector is pretty low in the front. Perhaps it flips up.

    Looks like there’s separate control arms for IRS.

    Reply
  7. Reply
    1. If that is even close to what it looks like and the interior looks as good as the outside, the new Navigator will have very stiff competition! The rendering looks like the Escala in SUV form. Absolutely stunning. I hope it looks this good.

      Reply
  8. I’m excited! I leased a 2018 Escalade back in August. I had already pre ordered a Navigator, but in the end I just couldn’t leave the Cadillac family.

    Reply
    1. After a long time of buying Escalades (every 2 years next to my other trucks), i gave the new Navigator a try.
      Up till now very very happy and a lot less of the small issues i’ve had with my latest Escalade.
      But im not brand steady.
      If the new escalade is indeed better than my current Navigator, i might switch back again in 2 years time.
      I must say that the dealer experience at Lincoln to me is a lot better that the generic gm dealer.

      Reply
  9. While it’s a necessity that the Cadillac Escalade needs to share a lot of mechanicals and sheet metal with it’s Chevrolet and GMC brothers; but Cadillac should have it’s own distinctive interior given that the buyer is paying a minimum of $25K more than a Chevy Suburban.. as slipping into an Escalade should be different than seeing a Cadillac badge to distinguish it from a Chevy or GMC.

    Reply
    1. Escalades has always had a different interiors.

      Reply
      1. Typos. The interior were pretty much the same inside.

        Reply
      2. Um no. Only the 4th generation have an almost completely different interior.

        The 3rd generation had a different dashboard & center console, but shared the steering wheel, column shifter, seats, door panels & trunk panels.

        The 2nd gen was almost identical. Had a few touch ups here & there, but still obviously a Yukon interior.

        The 1st gen was a 90s badge engineering job. So bad its almost funny.

        _____
        @Alex did you change the photos? I could’ve sworn there were different photos earlier.

        Reply
      3. not true

        Reply
  10. I’m impressed with the special heavy duty camouflage they used to disguise this new Escalade.

    Maybe the reveal will be at Detroit auto show, or could be New York auto show.

    Production could begin within 6 months.

    I just wonder if we may see another variant of these new full sized SUVs, with a slightly lowered sport type of roof line?

    Reply
    1. The CT4 and CT5 are further along in camouflage teasing, so I think Escalade will be the last to be revealed and produced, despite it being a lot more important to Cadillac’s bottom line and reputation.

      The XT6 is supposed to be revealed in January in Detroit. I’m guessing the CT4 will be next, since the ATS sedan is out of production and the changes are less extensive than the CT5’s. Of course, in 6 months they may drop one or both new sedans.

      I think a permanently lowered version of the regular Escalade body would sell decently, but it looks like instead it will have a height-adjustable suspension to go with the IRS. It’s riding too high in the photos for normal use. Whether it will go (and drive) lower than the existing model is another question.

      Reply
      1. “Of course, in 6 months they may drop one or both new sedans.”

        Yeeeup. I feel like a parent sitting in the hospital next to their ill child waiting for the doctor to come in and give the news….. and I don’t have a good feeling about it.

        I’ve not been one to comment on anything until recently… but as of late, just in case anyone who matters might see it, I will continue to say: If the sports coupes/sedans go, so do I, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

        Reply
  11. Predictions- the interior will be sub par. It will lose weight but some how be rated the same or worse by the EPA. CR will still complain about CUE and build quality. It’s price will move ever more into fantasyland territory.

    Reply
  12. This is an old spy shot of the XT4 when it was a prototype. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait a while before we get to see the 2020 Escalade interior

    Reply
    1. He was joking I guess.

      Anyway, Escalade’s interior won’t look anything like that.

      Escalades interior looks better than the Escala’s interior.

      Reply
  13. This 2020 Cadillac (ill be nice) better be BAD A**

    X7, Escalade, LX, GLS, OX90, Navigator, Range Rover – Who’s going to have the best full size luxury SUV?

    Reply
  14. It is obvious that the ’20 Slade has an air suspension. This thing is going to be a world class flagship.

    Reply
  15. Even tho it’s cover up the body lines on it and the other photos I seen of the ESV they already look Sexy

    Reply

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