2025 Cadillac Escalade: Everything We Know And Expect

by GM Authority Staff
— Oct 18, 2023

Refresh?

First, let’s define some terms. The 2025 Escalade will represent a refresh, otherwise known as a Mid-Cycle Enhancement (MCE) or update. In other words, it won’t be an all-new vehicle, but rather an update to the current, fifth-generation model – as the name implies – in the middle of its life.

That means that the 2025 Cadillac Escalade will remain a full-size SUV and a good chunk of the vehicle will carry over from the current generation model. What will change are the designs of the front and rear fascias, along with new wheel sizes and designs, and an updated interior, particularly the cockpit. A new turbo-diesel engine is also expected.

Model Line

We expect the 2025 Cadillac Escalade to carry over the trim level hierarchy – known as the Cadillac Y-trim level structure – from the 2024 model. That means that both the regular-length Escalade as well as its extended-length counterpart, the Escalade ESV, will return in the following trim levels:

Escalade

Luxury (base)
Premium Luxury
- Premium Luxury Platinum
Sport
- Sport Luxury Platinum
Escalade-V

Escalade ESV

Luxury (base)
Premium Luxury
- Premium Luxury Platinum
Sport
- Sport Luxury Platinum
Escalade-V ESV

It is, however, worth noting that the Y trim level strategy has evolved to where the base Luxury trim is being replaced by the newfound Tech trim level on models like the Cadillac Lyriq. This might take place for the 2025 Escalade.

Much to our delight, the rowdy Escalade-V will also return, as will the extended wheelbase Escalade ESV and Escalade-V ESV.

A rendering of the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade by GM Authority.

Refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade rendering by GM Authority

Exterior

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade and extended-length Escalade ESV will continue as full-size SUVs with the current models’ body style. However, the exterior will be reworked with updated styling to include revisions to the front and rear fascias. Spy shots seem to show us that the headlight will become the turn signal indicator, while the actual headlamps will be relocated to the vertical lighting area. We’ve seen this headlight configuration on the latest Cadillac models, including the 2024 XT4, the recently-revealed second-generation CT6, and the Escalade IQ.

Additionally, the Sport trims will likely gain a more aggressive front fascia treatment similar (if not identical) to what we see on the Escalade-V.

2025 Cadillac Escalade prototype riding on a set of new 24-inch wheels

New 24-inch wheel options will be offered as well, as GM Authority was the first to report. Beyond the humongous 24-inch units, we also expect a couple of new wheel designs (in smaller diameters than 24s).

On the roof, a new communications fin will enable a high-speed 5G connection in place of the 4G LTE network used currently.

2025 Cadillac Escalade interior in a prototype model

Interior

Perhaps the most dramatic change will be to the interior, where the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade will feature an overhauled cabin with a full-width, coast-to-coast (pillar-to-pillar) infotainment screen, possibly echoing the interior of the Cadillac Celestiq ultra-luxury sedan as well as the recently-revealed, battery electric Escalade IQ. The addition of this new display will not only bring about a new set of controls and interfaces, but it will also result in a massive change to the center stack and center console.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ features a 55-inch “coast-to-coast” display and two wireless phone chargers at at the front row

The gear selector will move from the aforementioned center console to the right hand steering wheel stalk. This new setup has appeared on the likes of the Cadillac Lyriq and Escalade IQ. Moving the shifter out from the center console will create new space for storage and possibly two inductive (wireless) phone chargers for the two front passengers. By comparison, the current pre-refreshed Escalade only features one inductive phone charger.

Finally, we expect improvements to the seating materials and other in-vehicle tech.

Powertrain

As for the powertrain lineup, the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade will carry over the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, which is the standard engine on the Escalade. Meanwhile, the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine will be discontinued, meaning that the improved 3.0L I6 LZ0 engine will not be offered. As a reminder, the LZ0 is the second generation of the LM2 and delivers more power and torque, while fixing few refinement issues, as GM Authority covered previously.

The now-familiar GM 10-speed automatic transmission will be on hand for cog swaps, feeding either RWD as standard, or 4WD as optional.

Platform

Underneath the attractive body, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade and 2025 Escalade ESV will continue to ride on the GM T1 platform, which has been the case for all Escalade models starting with the 2021 model year.

Availability

The refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade will be available in North America, the Middle East, and select export markets.

Production

We expect production to kick off in the second half of the 2024 calendar year at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.

We’ll keep this article updated as we learn more about the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

2025 Cadillac Escalade Photos