GM Authority has been tracking the upcoming 2025 Cadillac Escalade refresh for the past two years, being the first to tell you that the marque’s most legendary nameplate will offer 24-inch wheels, revised styling, and an updated cabin. Now, our spies have caught the upcoming 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V in showroom ready condition, giving us our first look at the exterior design changes for its mid-cycle refresh.
First off, what we’re looking at here is the short wheelbase Escalade-V (as opposed to the extended-length Escalade-V ESV) in Black Raven (paint code GBA).
Starting at the front end, we see that the 2025 Escalade-V features an overhauled front fascia with a new headlight setup to boot. The front lighting configuration is very similar to that used on the all-electric 2025 Escalade IQ. The horizontally-oriented lights are the turn signal indicators and hazard lights, while the vertically-oriented units are split out into two sections: the outer section serves as the Daytime Running Light (DRL), which has become a signature for Cadillac design. Move one cluster inside the vertically-oriented DRL, and we’ll find the actual headlight.
Unlike the Escalade IQ’s LED-infused faux grille / blockout panel, the 2025 Escalade-V features a revised version of the mesh grille used in the ICE-powered Escalade, split into two levels. The lower grille features a blockout panel for ADAS sensors, bookended by a set of small intakes at the corners. Cadillac’s multi-color Crest is placed front and center on the upper grille, suggesting that this model is not equipped with the optional Onyx Package, which brings Monochrome Cadillac emblems.
Note that the front fascia seen here will likely be unique to the Escalade-V, as non-V Escalade trims will feature a slightly less aggressive version of this face.
Also note the new comms fin just above the driver, which now features a puck-like shape, abandoning the fin that the pre-refresh model. The new fin enables 5G connectivity.
No changes are being made to the sides of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V, with the exception of the wheels. As GM Authority reported previously, the refreshed Escalade will feature 24-inch wheels, which we see uncovered for the first time here. The wheels pictured are specific to the Escalade-V, per the subtle V graphic at the outer edges of the spokes. The 24s are wrapped in 285/40ZR24 Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02s rubber.
It’s unclear whether the 24s will be standard on the Escalade-V, or whether they will be optional, with 22s being standard.
The changes at the rear are less extensive, as the shape of the tail lights, the rear fascia, quad exhaust treatment, and all other elements appear to carry over from the current model. However, the graphic within the tail lamps appears to have been updated.
Inside, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade will share the pillar-to-pillar display with the aforementioned Escalade IQ as well as the hand-built Cadillac Celestiq flagship.
Under the hood, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V will continue with the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine, rated at 682 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 653 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Output will be directed through the GM 10-speed automatic transmission, reaching the ground through an active all-wheel drive system.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
That front end just doesn’t work well on something this large.
This Escalade would have been better off with just a revised grille and Taillights, the relocation of the Headlights is what’s messing it up for me.
I’m thinking the revisions are there in part to help cooling. Pushed hard, that engine is going to put out some heat. And you have the extra heat exchanger for cooling the air into the supercharger. I’m thinking they may have an oil cooler mounted up front as well.
Water cooled SC. Screw chargers also produce 2/3 the heat a turbo does. It all goes to the engine radiatir
Radiator water is way too hot for the heat exchanger in front of the air to be compressed. Look up “heat soak”. I think dodge goes so far as to use the AC to cool the air.
You do realize that the supercharger housing on an eaton has intercoolers as well? The reason the LT4+ in the V gets a 2650 series is due to it having larger intercooler/charge cooler bricks than the 1750 found in other variants of the LT4.
Something about that front clip just doesn’t look right. I like the idea behind it but it would’ve looked better on the xt6 imo. I like the revised taillights that should’ve been on the IQ
Does it have an updated small block V8, or at least the LT5 for more HP/TQ to justify the “bloated” msrp?
Just another over-priced huge SUV that few need. Pass.
so the front looks like a GMC now
yikes nice ruin GM nice ruin
Go back to Ford Authority or wherever.
Idk why a lot of people hate it. I like it haha. I thought the current one looked a bit like the Tahoe/Suburban.
The Tahoe and Suburban look better, and cost tens of thousands less.
actually not really. basic escalade which still has a lot is cheaper than a high country tahoe 🙂
You had to compare the top of the line Tahoe to the basic Escalade?
Thanks for proving my comment to be true.
Not a fan of that front design. Plus interior shots I’ve seen appear to show zero interior control switches or buttons. Touch screen only. No thanks.
If I was looking in that stratosphere, I’d take a GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate and pocket the difference.
GMC also has a 15 inch vertical touchscreen at this point. I would prefer a regular Tahoe over it.
Love love love my Escalades!!!
im apparently in the minority because i actually like the front.
Still will shut Off at 125MPH !!! Embarrassing !
Do you really want to be travelling at 155 MPH in this thing? Where are you going ? Heaven?
yes i want to. why else would i buy the V over the regular 5.3 tahoe and fight the wind
They’ll have to sell 100 EV’s to balance out their CAFE ratings on one of these!
and they literally do. the escalade V is so rare i still have not seen one in the wild………….. rare than the new battery hummer, which i have seen driving around.
Depends on the area. Two in mine. My local dealer sells about 1/week. They add I think 20K dealer markup. They sell as fast as they receive them, or more likely are ordered. But yes, they do need to balance with quite a few EV’s to balance out the CAFE penalty.
JL there buttons for the HVAC controls and probably a radio nob. I like this front end it’s not over done like some brands that have to put every angle they can on just the grill and bumper. Also someone mentioned it looks like a GMC….UMMM have you ever seen the front end of a late 60s Pontiac GTO and Buick GS they very much alike, also the 90s through 00’s Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs looked like twins. If you can afford abd want this good for you. At least GM didn’t give up all it’s V8s like Dodge/Chrysler.
I’ve it love it love it!!! Obviously if it’s too expensive then you can’t afford hence the negative comments about price. Been Escalade owner many many years many models. I cannot wait to add this one to my line op!
People who purchase overly expensive and oversized vehicles are usually trying to compensate for some other personal shortcomings.
Or maybe it just is not expensive in their world. If you make 1M+/year, what is 150K for a vehicle you want? 15% of a year. Actually proportionately less than the person who makes 50K/year buying a 30K vehicle.
You nailed it. All those thumb’s downs propably came from people with personal shortcomings. No doubt.
Why does it look like its on silts?
That front end does not work. They should have left it alone and only update the interior.
I was hoping it wasn’t going to take Escalade iQ styling on the front, looks like I will be keeping my 2023, this was a swing and a miss GM
Headlights remind me of the Mitsubishi Outlander
Just goes to show that money can’t buy good taste,
New front end is horrible,
I think it’s quite decent and needed alternative to IQ
One of my favorite things about the exterior of the new Escalade has literally always been the Horizontal eye slits with the Vertical daytime running lights. Seeing that removed honestly made me sad. Seeing that light combination on a beautiful truck as it comes down the street… I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off of it. I’ll have to see how this looks with the lights on. Cadillac is known for making some beautiful vehicles, so I definitely still plan to get the Escalade ESV-V (Black on Black) but if I’m not loving the new light set up I might even consider getting one that’s pre-owned possibly. That was my favorite exterior feature of all.
OMG, this thing looks like it is blind. This is right up their with the old Xfinity QX 80 Beluga whale headlights in terms of design fails. Don’t these companies use sample groups anymore to review potential design changes?
They ruined the looks by using the same fenders as outgoing model. Had to fill in the void with plastic. A redesigned fender would look much better. Way out of my league anyway so why do i care i guess.