The 2023 Cadillac Escalade introduces the third model year for the current fifth generation, ushering in a handful of changes over the previous 2022 model year. While the 2023 Cadillac Escalade includes all the traditional luxury and backside coddling expected of the full-size SUV, some customers will undoubtedly use the Cadillac Escalade to tow as well. Now, GM Authority is taking a closer look at the 2023 Cadillac Escalade towing capacities.
Let’s start by checking under the hood. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade is available with two powerplant options, including the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, which is rated at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, as well as the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, which is rated at 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Both engine options mate to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission and the 3.23 final drive ratio. Additionally, both engines are available in conjunction with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
For those customers looking to maximize the 2023 Cadillac Escalade towing capacity, GM also offers the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package. Tagged with RPO code ZM1, the optional Escalade towing package includes several important bits and pieces, including:
- Auxiliary trailer camera
- Trailer tire pressure monitoring system
- Trailering assist guidelines
- Two-speed transfer case
- Extra capacity cooling system
Note that the two-speed transfer case is only included with four-wheel drive models.
So, with all that covered, let’s take a closer look at the 2023 Cadillac Escalade towing capacities:
2023 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacities
| Model | Drivetrain | 6.2L V8 L87 | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LM2 | Supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| Escalade | 2WD | 3.23 | 7,700 / 3,493 | 3.23 | 8,100 / 3,674 | - | - |
| Escalade with ZM11 | 2WD | 3.23 | 8,200 / 3,720 | 3.23 | 8,100 / 3,674 | - | - |
| Escalade | 4WD | 3.23 | 7,500 / 3,402 | 3.23 | 7,800 / 3,538 | - | - |
| Escalade with ZM11 | 4WD | 3.23 | 8,000 / 3,629 | 3.23 | 7,800 / 3,538 | - | - |
| Escalade-V | 4WD | - | - | - | - | 3.23 | 7,000 / 3,175 |
Looking over the specs, we find that the highest-possible 2023 Cadillac Escalade towing capacity available is 8,200 pounds, as offered by rear-wheel drive models equipped with the ZM1 Heavy-Duty Trailering Package. Meanwhile, the lowest 2023 Cadillac Escalade towing capacity (non-ESV models) is 7,500 pounds, as offered by four-wheel drive models without the ZM1 package.
Then we have the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV, the extended-length body variant of the luxury SUV that’s more than 15 inches longer than the standard Escalade. In terms of towing capacities, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV is down 200 pounds across the board compared to equivalent configurations of the standard-length SUV, except for four-wheel drive models with the diesel engine, which are only down 100 pounds compared to equivalent standard-length models.
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Towing Capacities
| Model | Drivetrain | 6.2L V8 L87 | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LM2 | Supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| Escalade | 2WD | 3.23 | 7,500 / 3,402 | 3.23 | 7,900 / 3,583 | - | - |
| Escalade with ZM11 | 2WD | 3.23 | 8,000 / 3,629 | 3.23 | 7,900 / 3,583 | - | - |
| Escalade | 4WD | 3.23 | 7,300 / 3,311 | 3.23 | 7,700 / 3,493 | - | - |
| Escalade with ZM11 | 4WD | 3.23 | 7,800 / 3,538 | 3.23 | 7,700 / 3,493 | - | - |
| Escalade-V | 4WD | - | - | - | - | 3.23 | 7,000 / 3,175 |
As a reminder, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade rides on the GM T1 platform, while production takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
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Comments
I would go with the diesel I love the sound of a spinning starter for 15 seconds before starting.
You can write about this all you want, THE FACT is GM
Can’t produce ANY vehicle with a tow package at the moment (this option group). We ordered 11 units, all are scheduled except the 11th ( with this tow pkg), the customer originally ordered this in 2020, and is still waiting to have the truck built.