Earlier today, GM Authority told you all about the towing capacities for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2021 Suburban and 2021 GMC Yukon. Now, we’re back to tell you about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade tow ratings.
In short, the new Escalade’s trailering capabilities with the standard, naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine are as follows:
- The regular-length 2021 Escalade can tow a maximum of 8,200 pounds for 2WD models or 8,000 pounds for 4WD models
- The extended-length 2021 Escalade ESV can tow a maximum of 8,100 pounds 2WD models or 7,900 pounds for 4WD models
Meanwhile, models equipped with the optional (but free-of-charge) 3.0L I-6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine have a maximum trailering capacity that’s 200 pounds lower than that of the gas engine. To wit:
- The regular-length 2021 Escalade Diesel can tow a maximum of 8,000 pounds for 2WD models or 7,800 pounds for 4WD models
- The extended-length 2021 Escalade ESV Diesel can tow a maximum of 7,900 pounds for 2WD models or 7,700 pounds for 4WD models
Note that these maximum 2021 Cadillac Escalade tow ratings only apply for models equipped with the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package. Not available on the base Luxury trim but optional on all other trims, including Premium Luxury, Sport as well as the Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims, the package includes the following features:
- Rear Vision Trailer Camera
- Auxiliary trailer camera
- 2-speed electronic transfer case (4WD models only)
- Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- Trailering Assist Guidelines
- Extra capacity cooling system (deleted when 3.0L I6 LM2 Turbo Diesel engine is ordered)
It’s currently unknown what the tow ratings will be for Escalade models without this optional trailering package.
It’s also worth noting that the maximum 2021 Cadillac Escalade tow ratings are slightly lower compared to those of the outgoing, 2015-2020 Escalade. Compared to the last-gen model, the 2021 regular-length Escalade tows 100 pounds less with the gas V8, and 300 pounds less with the diesel. Meanwhile, the 2021 Escalade ESV with the gasoline V8 is capable of an identical maximum towing performance as the last-gen model, but the optional turbo-diesel nets a 200-pound decline in maximum trailering capacity over the last-gen model.
| 2021 Escalade Gasoline | 2021 Escalade Diesel | 2015-2020 Escalade Gasoline | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driveline | Max Tow Rating – 6.2L V8 L87 | Axle | Max Tow Rating – 3.0L I6 | Axle | Max Tow Rating – 6.2L V8 L86 | Axle | |
| Escalade | 2WD | 8200 | 3.23 | 8000 | 3.23 | 8300 | 3.23 |
| Escalade | 4WD | 8000 | 3.23 | 7800 | 3.23 | 8100 | 3.23 |
| Escalade ESV | 2WD | 8100 | 3.23 | 7900 | 3.23 | 8100 | 3.23 |
| Escalade ESV | 4WD | 7900 | 3.23 | 7700 | 3.23 | 7900 | 3.23 |
- All models listed equipped with 10-speed automatic transmission
To note, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade comes standard with the naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 engine rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The new 3.0L I6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax joins the lineup as an available, no-cost option rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The optional diesel is expected to deliver improved fuel economy ratings over the standard gasoline engine. Both engines are mated to GM’s new 10-speed automatic transmission.
By comparison, the outgoing Escalade was offered with only one engine during its entire lifecycle: the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L86 making 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. From 2015 to 2017, the Escalade used GM’s 8-speed automatic transmission before gaining the 10-speed automatic transmission for the 2018 model year.
We’ll have much more on the all-new Escalade soon, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
This article was created in collaboration with our sister site, Cadillac Society.
Comments
Can anyone explain to me why GM is making the 3.23 standard or mandatory on all trucks?
It comes down to mechanical advantage with the 10-speed, combined with fuel efficiency.
What commonsense said. The 10L90 has a 4.70:1 first gear ratio (compared to a 3.06 for the old 4 speed autos, and a 2.48 for TH400’s). Combined with the 3.23, it produces a net effective ratio of 15.18 in first gear. For the sake of comparison, with the old 4 speed, it equates exactly to a 4.96:1 axle.
Even with the 3.23, because first gear is so deep, the vehicle could only hit 39 mph is first gear, at redline, assuming zero slip in the torque converter. With the lower redline of the diesel, 26 mph would be it.
On the other end, 10th gear is a 0.64 vs 0.70 for the old 4 speeds. So true “final drive” is 2.07 with the 10L90. To achieve that with the 4 speed would require a 2.95 axle.
So, with what seems like a short axle ratio, you get the net performance you would if you had a 4.96 axle behind a 4 speed automatic, but the cruise efficiency of a 2.95 axle. And, each step between any two gears is substantially tighter, keeping the engine in the “sweet spot” longer for any circumstance.
Virtually identical numbers; but this shouldn’t come as a surprise given that there hasn’t been any dramatic changes to the vehicles or engines. Things may have been interesting if Cadillac had made the Blackwing V8 or even LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 available; this all means that buying an used Cadillac Escalade would offer essentially the same type of performance as next year’s 2021 Cadillac Escalade at about half the price.
Uggg who cares that thing is hideous, everything is out of proportion. Looks like 400 people each designed a part without a care in the world what it looked like put together.