The 2025 Cadillac Escalade debuts a mid-cycle refresh complete with a long list of changes and updates, from new styling, to an overhauled cabin, to the latest tech features. Critically, the refreshed Escalade no longer offers an optional diesel engine, as was the case since the launch of the fifth-generation Escalade for the 2021 model year. Now, GM Authority is revealing how many Escalade diesel units are still available on dealer lots.
As of this writing (10/30/2024), there are a total of 223 Escalade diesel units remaining in dealer inventory across the U.S. All 223 units hail from the 2024 model year, with 135 examples of the standard wheelbase configuration (120.9-inch wheelbase), and 88 examples of the extended-length Escalade ESV (134.1-inch wheelbase).
The most common trim level is the Premium Luxury at 114 units, followed by the Sport at 45 units, the Luxury at 37 units, and the Sport Platinum at 24 units. The least-common new Escalade diesel still available at U.S. dealers is the Premium Luxury Platinum ESV, of which only three units remain.
| Escalade | Escalade ESV | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Luxury | 81 | 33 | 114 |
| Sport Platinum | 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Sport | 32 | 13 | 45 |
| Luxury | 6 | 31 | 37 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 135 | 88 | 223 |
As GM Authority covered previously, GM’s decision to discontinue the Cadillac Escalade diesel lies in low customer demand, as well as a possible shift towards electrification, with the all-new, all-electric Escalade IQ making its debut for the 2025 model year. Check out the latest episode of the Cadillac Society podcast for an in-depth discussion of why Cadillac discontinued the Escalade diesel, as well as how many Escalade buyers actually ticked the box for the optional oil burner:
The Cadillac Escalade first offered an optional diesel engine for the all-new 2021 model year in conjunction with the launch of the SUV’s fifth generation. Between the 2021 and 2024 model years, customers were offered the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
Fast forward to today, and the latest 2025-model-year refresh drops the diesel from the engine options list, leaving the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine as the exclusive powertrain for non-V-Series model variants. Step up to the Escalade-V, and you’ll get the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine. All fifth-gen Escalade variants ride on the GM T1 platform, while production takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
Comments
Just guessing that it was a fairly expensive option and diesel is typically more expensive than premium gasoline in this area.
It was around a $200 dollar option in Canada. I have the diesel in my ‘23 Yukon and would never go back as I like it way more than the 6.2 which I had in my ‘22 Yukon. I think if it was advertised better it could have sold better but I guess the market has spoken and it does not fit.
Very few places in America have diesel more expensive than 93 octane gas.
Nevermind the junky lifters, or the 6.2s locking up from spun bearings.
Only junky engines spin rod bearings.
Diesel is more expensive in Qatar, and most sold here had the 6.2. They make millions of 6.2s, so out of these around 30K could fail due to either of these reasons.
I think most of the spun bearings are between MY22 and MY24. Let us wait and see about the MY25 (I suspect they may iron it out by MY26 or MY27) however I WILL NOT BE BUYING ONE.
When will GM bring out Hybrid vehicles including light trucks?
Some suppliers said supposedly 2027, but nothing set just yet.
You think the Escalade with a Diesel engine was a low demand vehicle ? Just wait until they try to peddle that Escalade EV once the ” I gotta’ have one first” crazies buy them. It will be worse than that fugly “pick-up” TESLA is trying to sell. Several Facebook videos from initial buyers of that thing that paid $10,000 to get one of the early trucks are now crying in their beer how the market has collapsed. See Hoovie !
Hoovie was smart to dump his without a loss.