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2021 Cadillac Escalade Photos Leak Ahead Of Debut

Photos of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have leaked online ahead of the full-size luxury SUV’s anticipated debut in early 2020.

These photos, which show off the front and side profile of the next-generation Escalade, appear to have been taken at General Motors’ Arlington Assembly plant in Texas. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade will be built at the Arlington Plant alongside the new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, both of which debuted in Detroit this week.

Judging by these leaked photos, the front fascia of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade will take after the Cadillac XT6, sporting similar LED headlights and vertically mounted LED daytime running lights. This particular Escalade also appears to be covered in chrome trim – from the window framing, to the mirror caps to the trim piece that runs along the lower part of the front and rear doors. The entire C-pillar is basically one big chrome trim piece as well.

It’s also worth noting that the vehicle pictured in the leaked photos may also be a Platinum trim model, based on the abundance of chrome trim and the large (likely 22-inch) chrome wheels.

Whoever took these photos didn’t manage to sneak their phone inside of the SUV for a picture, though GM Authority photographers managed to snap some photos of the cabin earlier this year. Those images showed off a widescreen driver’s display/infotainment system, along with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, an Electronic Precision Shift gear selector and woodgrain trim.

Like GM’s other new full-size SUVs, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade will ride on the automaker’s new T1 platform and will benefit from a sophisticated multi-link independent rear suspension setup. It should offer the automaker’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension system as well, while the new Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, which debuted on the new 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, may also be offered on certain models.

As we reported previously, the new SUV is also expected to spawn a high-performance variant, which may feature one of GM’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engines, while a battery-electric variant with up to 400 miles of range is also said to be on the way.

We’ll have all the details on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade following its anticipated debut in Q1 2020. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.

This report was written in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. I will hold my final opinion until I see it in High Res pictures or in person obviously but my first raw reaction is the following…
    I was really Hopeful that the New Slade would’ve gotten its own unique Side profile. Meaning Unique sheet metal strictly for Cadillac. And I thought the new Slade was going to be the “All New” face of Cadillac going into the Future but it is basically a Tahoe yet once again with a Bigger XT6 front end.
    God I hope it is much different to me when I see the High Res pictures. I am not saying it is ugly or that I do not like it, I am just saying I was hopeful the new Slade was going to give us the Glimpse of Future Cadillacs instead of the Current ones.
    At least the interior we have seen is close to the Escala concept that I have always thought every Cadillac should have had.
    From the Specs that the new Tahoe has I am expecting Crazy levels of interior refinement and Technology. I am so Super Excited to see not only this but the new Yukon as well.

    Reply
    1. So, the new Cadillac looks like other new Cadillacs. The nerve of GM to do that.

      Reply
    2. I agree with your comment about the side profile, Momolos. It doesn’t differentiate itself from the Tahoe at all down the side, beyond that chrome strip running the length of the window, and chrome c-pillar. Also, the front end is more or less what I expected. It’s big and bold, definitely see the Escala theme, particularly as executed in the XT6. Personally, I was hoping it’d be closer to the CT6, but whatever. When you look at the Escala concept front end, and then this, its extremely close. I think it’ll look FAR better in good light, especially considering this dark paint,

      But I can forgive them for being more conservative outside when you look where all the money saved on exterior design went…the INSIDE. As someone said below, carscoops.com has two pretty revealing interior shots, and it looks terrific imho. You pick up any random person on the street, and they’d have no idea this is built on the same platform as the Tahoe revealed last night. The interior is unrecognizable in comparison. The main attraction is the instrumentation and infotainment screens…holy sh*t. Its almost a carbon copy of the Escala concept, and looks fantastic! High-resolution screens, and even a small screen to the left of the guage cluster – shows attention to detail. Fit and finish, as well as materials, look A-1.

      Unlike the Navigator, which has your eyes constantly going everywhere with broken-up lines and a general busyness, this Escalade has a clean, flowing, high-tech look to it, a very different (and in my opinion better) take on luxury. It almost looks like a concept, light years better than the current ‘Slade. And lest we forget…how nice it is to actually get some lighter colors for a change, instead of all these depressing black interiors Cadillac has been churning out. Go take a look at carscoops.

      I think this Escalade will be a major hit for GM. SUCH a positive step in the right direction!

      Reply
      1. @G8 Burnout
        I agree 100%
        The new interior looks World Class. Maybe minus the Generic Shifter that Cadillac places in all of their vehicles but that is very minor Gripe.
        Cadillac will pretty much sell every single Slade they make.

        Reply
    3. I’m not. I’m disappointed.

      I’ve always said on here that adopting the exterior design theme of the Escala, rather than the Elmiraj was going to result in a less-distinctive Cadillac.

      The vertical LEDs stretching over the front fenders make the outgoing Escalade look both sinister and elegant.

      That’s what Cadillac’s look should be. Sinister and elegant, not understated.

      But the interior? Slam dunk. Cadillac should’ve kept that and gave us the Elmiraj exterior.

      Reply
      1. @Curtnik
        I too preferred the Elmiraj exterior as well. But The Escala interior was a Grand Slam.
        Cadillac will sell everyone of these they can make and customers will be demanding this interior in the rest of the Range.

        Reply
  2. Overall the exterior looks very similar to the current model. The rear of the new Tahoe is very nice, so I’m sure this will be as well.

    I’ve been very excited to see the 2021 model so that I can trade in my 18 Escalade. After seeing this I’m not too excited, but I’ll reserve my judgement until we can see the whole thing.

    Reply
  3. They absolutely did get photos of the interior.

    Reply
    1. Yup some good interior pics are on carscoops.com

      Reply
  4. Honestly, this model looks like a better looking XT6 on the front end. It’s like they cleaned it up and made it bigger in my opinion. I like it. I can’t wait to see what the interior looks like. It looks very promising from the leaks we’ve seen.

    Reply
  5. I’ll keep my opinion to the official reveal, but the Tahoe looks nicer. The interior is a major improvement, except the steering wheel. Its as luxurious as a VW’s, looks bad in XT6, hideous in the Slade.

    Reply
  6. It looks like the signature Vertical taillights are no more. :C

    Reply
  7. Tahoe with front end of XT6 and OMG the interior. If you want big screens at least copy it from Mercedes G wagon. lol
    *Open yet another kombucha*

    Reply
  8. IMHO, very predictable styling. Nothing that “wows”.
    Just a bigger XT6 with a V8.

    …and those folks that sit at a desk with two monitors / screens, they’ll feel right at home.

    Reply
  9. Nice screens, but still not enough. Old steering wheel, old and cheap gear shifter from the xt4. Old plastic buttons…. cadillac makes the B and forgets the C. Makes the b and c,but forgets about the d. As usual

    Reply
  10. I think this looks good. Front end looks like the XT6, and thats a good thing in my opinion.

    Reply
    1. I prefer the headlight configuration on the current model to the “Tahoe” copied headlights on the 2021 model. I think that the Escalade should be the best looking model in the GM line up, and not borrow pieces from the other SUV products. GM needs to spend more on them because they charge more for them.

      Reply
  11. Cadillac exterior staff, manager who okayed this and anyone else higher up who actually thought this looked good. Mary Bary and GM and Cadillac have taken a dump on this brand. No idea of what style is.

    Reply
    1. Bubba,

      Go watch the video of Mary Barra where the agreement with LG Chem for Lordstown was announced. It’s on this site. It’s insightful as it relates to your concern that at the top of GM, they have no idea what style is.

      Reply
  12. I think everyone needs to wait until its on the street and in person. I heard the same gripes about the XT6, in person its very sharp for a SUV. I had friends who aren’t GM fans and said the XT6 looks sharp. Its like the corvette the pictures did not do that car justice but in person its a sharp car and will be selling like crazy.

    Reply
    1. No why do that when its so much easier to throw a tantrum from the cheap seats, guaranteed everyone complaining wasn’t go to buy one either way and couldn’t afford one either…….

      Reply
  13. One thing I like about the exterior of the current Escalade are is how the tail lamps and rear signal lights are elongated and go all the way up to the roof. I hope the new Escalade keeps that look.

    Reply
  14. “Dash Computer Screens” are the new “Cup Holders” of the 21st Century.

    Reply
    1. @Blue Potato: I don’t mind the screens so much. It’s the placement and obnoxious sizes that are getting to be too much. But you are correct, they are exactly the new cup holders.

      Reply
  15. The interior looks awesome except minor details like buttons; steering wheel…..

    Reply
  16. Judging from these leaked pics, the new Escalade exterior styling is a so disappointing. Heard rumors it would be a over grown XT6… and it is indeed. The interior is another matter, with high quality woods, leather, metals, and fabric the interior should impress. But the exterior is so… bland, so unCadillac like, nothing special, milquetoast.

    Reply
    1. This is strange. The XT6 is a Cadillac SUV along with the XT5 so forth and so on, all Cadillacs. The SUVs look like the cars CT6 so forth and so on, but you say the exterior looks like an overgrown XT6, which is a Cadillac, and it’s “unCadillac.” Some of you need to make up your minds.

      It’s suppose to favor the XT6, just a Benz SUV favors another Benz SUV.

      I will say I like the exterior though the side profile favors the Tahoe. They cleaned up the front and made it way better looking than the XT6.

      Reply
  17. So far, of the Chevy and Cadillac versions, I like this Escalade (exterior) the best. I think the side profile is great and have not seen the rear yet. Kind of hoping they don’t have those long top to bottom tail lamps again. If I were to make a gripe, it would be about the grille/headlights. I think it would look better with the chrome strip going all the way up both sides, thus giving the grille a complete surround.

    Reply
  18. Wow, I just cant believe the exterior looks like that. I hope that it doesn’t look as bland as the photos during the official reveal. Interior is too early to tell but the Navigator wins the exterior look hands down for the next 7 years. Who approved the design of this thing????? They should be fired. I can just imagine the Cadillac dealers shaking their heads right now knowing that the Escalade is going to lose market share to the Navigator while the Navigator execs are having a drink right about now. Anyone know when the official reveal is going to be?

    Reply
  19. It’s like Gm is telling all the pretenders, you can run but you can’t hide!! I told you this is my turf, if I catch you on it again, just bend over, touch your toes.

    Reply
  20. They really are going for blah in some of their vehicles now. I always thought Lincoln wouldn’t catch up, but they did… and now they are far head. I really like the aviator.

    Reply

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