The 2024 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV represents the second model year of the extended-length high-performance luxury SUV, for which it sees only a handful of changes. Meanwhile, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV will see a wide variety of updates thanks to a mid-cycle refresh. Having outlined what we know and expect about the 2025 Escalade-V in non-ESV form, we’re now putting together everything we know and expect from the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV.
Before going any further, let’s define some terms. The 2025 Escalade-V ESV will represent a refresh, otherwise known as a Mid-Cycle Enhancement (MCE) or update. This, in other words, will not be an all-new vehicle, but rather an update to the current model.
That means that the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV will remain a full-size, extended-length SUV and most of the vehicle will carry over from the current 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.
We expect the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV to continue being offered alongside its shorter variant, the regular-length Escalade-V.
The Escalade-V ESV and Escalade-V won’t be the only Escalade models getting the refresh for the 2025 model year, as the rest of the Cadillac Escalade range will also be sharing in the updates.
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV (and the regular-length Escalade-V) 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.
At the front, we expect the horizontally-oriented part of the headlight to 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, as well as the Escalade IQ.
While the front end will be updated, we don’t expect any changes to the side profile, with one key exception: new wheels. Not only do we foresee new wheel designs, but a new 24-inch wheel option will join the lineup as well, as GM Authority was the first to report.
A new set of tail lamp graphics and a massaged hatch treatment will round out the changes to the rear. On the roof, a new communications fin will enable a high-speed 5G connection in place of the 4G LTE network used currently.
Perhaps the most dramatic change will be to the cabin, where the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV will benefit from a revamped cabin with a full-width, coast-to-coast (pillar-to-pillar) infotainment screen, following in the footsteps of the Cadillac Celestiq ultra-luxury sedan as well as the upcoming Escalade IQ battery electric SUV. 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
Other changes will include the gear selector moving from the aforementioned center console to the right hand steering wheel stalk, a setup that has begun to appear 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 will likely add 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.
As for the powertrain lineup, we expect the refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV to continue being powered by the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine. The mighty eight is rated at 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque, breathing out a finely-tuned dual-mode exhaust setup.
The now-familiar GM 10-speed automatic transmission will be on hand for cog swaps, feeding all four wheels via an all-wheel-drive system.
Underneath the revamped body, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV (and 2025 Escalade-V) will continue to ride on the GM T1 platform, which has been the case for all Escalade models starting with the 2021 model year.
The refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V ESV will be available in North America, the Middle East, and select export markets.
We expect 2025 Escalade production, including the Escalade-V ESV, to begin 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-V, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Escalade-V ESV news, Escalade ESV news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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View Comments
Still no Ultra Cruise?
it has super cruise starting from 2019 to 2025
A 682 hp ultra luxury Suburban, I could live with that without any difficulty.
I hope they brung back the column shifter like the Tahoe for 2025 and beyond. That console shifter is hideous as hell!
why so many Escalades from 2021-2024 need there engines replaced? was at dealer last week and they had 5 there being done.