The 2021 Escalade is here, dropping cover back in February in a special media event in Hollywood, California. Offered as an all-new generation for the iconic luxury nameplate, the new Cadillac Escalade is available with two engine options. Now, the EPA has revealed fuel economy figures for the full-sizer’s naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gas engine.
Placing the 2021 Escalade’s fuel economy figures next to those of the previous generation, we find that 2WD versions of the the new luxury SUV add one mpg in the city, but lose three mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, models equipped with 4WD lose two mpg on the highway and one mpg combined.
Note that these figures are only for the standard-length Escalade, and not the extended-length Escalade ESV.
| Drive Type | 2021 Escalade MPG (City/Highway/Combined) | 2015-2020 Escalade MPG (City/Highway/Combined) | +/- 2021 Escalade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD | 15/20/17 | 14/23/17 | +1/-3/0 |
| 4WD | 14/19/16 | 14/21/17 | 0/-2/-1 |
As a reminder, the 2021 Escalade is equipped as standard with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gas engine. The ‘eight features variable valve timing, direct fuel injection and Dynamic Fuel Management, with output rated at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm. The GM 10L80 10-speed automatic is on board for cog swaps.
Meanwhile, the previous-generation Escalade was exclusively equipped with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L86, which also produces 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, comes with variable valve timing, direct fuel injection and Active Fuel management, and mates to a GM 10-speed automatic transmission from the 2018 to 2020 model years (2015-2017 had the 8-speed auto).
For those buyers interested in a more efficient engine for their 2021 Escalade, Cadillac is also offering the SUV with the turbodiesel 3.0L I6 LM2 Duramax as a no-cost option. Output from the diesel powerplant is rated at 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm, and it too mates to the GM 10L80 10-speed automatic. Fuel economy figures for the diesel engine are currently not unavailable, but according to Escalade Marketing Manager Dave Schiavone, the gains should be “significant” compared to the standard gas V8.
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Source: fueleconomy.gov
Comments
Given that the price of gas per gallon is relatively inexpensive, ranging from a National average of about $2.60 to a high of just over $3.00 for California; anyone that can afford to pay $90K for a 2021 Cadillac Escalade shouldn’t need to worry about gas mileage very much especially as Escalade are not their daily driver as most used Cadillac Escalades have very low mileage on them.
Not sure why anyone reply to your nonsense, me included but I had seen many older model Escalades with high mileage on Auto Trader over 200K so the Escalade apparently a daily driver by many people.
I have 422K miles on my ‘05 Escalade. Runs like a top. Can’t wait for the diesel option!
Most Escalade and probable S/C Escalade buyers don’t care about mileage but diesel and E/V Escalade buyers will care about range.
Still think they are under reporting gas economy and will over report desiel economy to push the 3.0 engine.
Manufacturers do get to test their own MPG figures, but these numbers are ultimately sent to the EPA for review. The EPA will review and the test up to 20% of the results to confirm the data. With strict federal fines and penalties for misrepresented data it would be unwise for any manufacturer to do this for any reason. Not a risk worth taking, just ask VW, they are just now starting to recover from their $15 billion fine. That cost doesn’t even include additional payments to fix customer relations and repairs to make cars compliment.
VW as fined for emission violations, or % NOX mostly that is in the tail pipe. The EPA doesn’t care what a vehicle gets as long as the fleet average is in the CAFE requirements.
I understand why VW was fined, just letting you know that the EPA is the regulating agency for these numbers and that they do care, it’s literally their job.
NHTSA sets the numbers. EPA calculates them for manufacturers. Just to clarify.
Not great, but I have a feeling there is less pressure on Cadillac to get great fuel economy on this Escalade as the EV model is not far behind.
How does the Escalade lose 3 mpg on the highway with the same displacement and the same transmission? And this 6.2 has DFM over AFM, so you would think it should get at least the same? If I’m missing something please let me know. I can see added weight can drop it some but 3 mpg’s is quiet the drop.
It’s heavier due to the IRS and other added features.
In my calculations this would have needed to increase by over 500 LBS to have lost this much MPG and that isn’t even taking in the switch to the more efficient DFM system. If adding IRS to these vehicles increases weight this much GM has a serious engineering problem!
The torque figure on the diesel seems a bit off. Max torque should be produced far lower than 4100 rpm.
Thanks for catching that, Scott. You are correct – the figure should be 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm, not 4,100 rpm as originally published. The post has been updated. Sorry for the typo
A thirsty gas guzzler for sure
Don’t think it’s terrible considering the size of the vehicle and the power it’s making. It ain’t no Prius!
Gas mileage aside, this is definitely a well designed, beautiful vehicle. Looking forward to seeing the 2021 Cadillac Escalade on the road!
So the volume selling AWD short wheelbase model is rated 14/19 or about what it was back 15 years ago! So the longer wheelbase model will be even less. That is very poor mileage on what is supposed to be an all new design and a poor showing by GM especially from a CEO that keeps insisting on being so green! Is the plan here to make the gas engines so bad that people are going to be pushing for electric? Then you have the other elephant in the room. The more powerful Lincoln Navigator that gets a full 2 MPG higher on city, highway and combined!