The completely-overhauled 2021 Cadillac Escalade represents the all-new, fifth-generation of the Escalade nameplate. The new full-size luxury SUV rides on a completely new architecture (GM T1 platform), gets an all-new exterior design, and features a revamped cabin with gobs of new tech. The new Escalade also offers an optional turbodiesel engine, whose fuel economy figures we have just uncovered.
The EPA rates the 2021 Cadillac Escalade diesel model with 2WD at 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,550.
By comparison, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade with the standard 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine and 2WD are rated at 15 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.
| Engine | 6.2L V8 L87 | 3.0L I6 LM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline | Diesel |
| City | 15 | 21 |
| Highway | 20 | 27 |
| Combined | 17 | 23 |
| Estimated annual fuel cost | $2,450 | $1,550 |
The 2021 Escalade diesel fuel economy ratings fully support comments made by Cadillac Marketing Manager, Dave Schiavone, earlier this year.
“If you love Escalade, you love Escalade,” Schiavone told GM Authority Executive Editor, Alex Luft. “But for those people that also love fuel efficiency, they can get it in the diesel. We’re expecting some pretty good improvements in fuel economy on the diesel over the V8 gasoline.”
The Escalade diesel is powered by the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine is rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet (623 Nm) of torque at 1,500 rpm, while the 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine is rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet (623 Nm) of torque at 4,100 rpm. Both engines are mated to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive (2WD) is standard, while four-wheel-drive (4WD) is optional.
It’s worth noting that fuel economy figures for the 4WD Escalade diesel are not yet available. The same holds true for the diesel engine in the extended-length Escalade ESV. We’ll report on those numbers as soon as we have them.
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This article was produced in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
Comments
We shall see how the real life economy is. There was that report that the new 2021 Chevy 3.0 duramax dropped 3 mpg in 4wd because it moved up a weight class for epa testing. No real change on real life economy.
I have a buddy with a new at4 3.0. He gets 27mpgs all the time. Just recently took a trailer to Georgia from Michigan 20.7 on the way there and 15.7 on that way back loaded with full size 86 k5 blazer. Very good numbers to me
75 is a racetrack so i am sure his speed was pretty high on way down. there are hills though
I’ll be very interested to see how well these sell.
The diesel engine isn’t that much more efficient than the gas engine, because diesel is more energy dense, the engine gets more energy, about 15%, for the same volume of fuel.
Not bad though. Does the diesel have auto start stop?
What is the diesel noise Difference between the gas engine inside the cab ? Also zero to 60 mph and quarter mile ET.
you’re concerned about 0-60 and qtr mile time for a nearly 3 ton humongous SUV…that’s hilarious.
False. Diesel is 45%+ more fuel efficient. Even after subtracting out 15% that still leaves 30%.
Typical American Ignorance about Diesels.
23/17=1.35 so 35% more mileage for the same volume of fuel, according to the EPA.
but the diesel cost more so how much you save ?
The Diesel is just as quite as the gas motor. It sounds almost the same as the direct injection ticking noise.
How about the performance difference in the diesel versus gasoline.
He said he did 80 mph most of the way. He said you get the best of both worlds with this little diesel. Has performance like a gas motor and mileage of the diesel. He said one people start to drive them they will sell like crazy. He did say it used slot of that def fluid towing but hardly any when not
Diesel is more expensive then gas and sometimes not as easy to find.
The gas engine also requires premium gas, so add that to the cost, the diesel is just as quiet in modern form this isn’t 1980, this is a big truck not a race car. As for those that say diesel is hard to find, where do you live its at every station here in AZ, and is $.75 cheaper than super.
When the diesel will be available to buy?
It is available now