Ushering in a mid-cycle refresh that sees significant interior, exterior and tech updates, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade is also a rugged and capable full-size SUV featuring many premium bells and whistles. For that reason, here’s a look at 2025 Cadillac Escalade towing capacities.
Before digging into the specifics of 2025 Cadillac Escalade towing, here’s an overview of the luxury SUV’s available powerplants. The standard Escalade is powered exclusively by the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine, rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, has been discontinued because of low demand.
Meanwhile, the high performance V-series 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V cradles the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine developing 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque under the hood.
All variants pair the GM 10-speed automatic transmission with their engine, with 2WD and 4WD drivetrains on offer and a 3.23 axle ratio standard throughout.
With these preliminaries out of the way, here is a full breakdown of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade towing capacities:
2025 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacities
Model Drivetrain 6.2L V8 L87 Supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 Axle Ratio Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) Axle Ratio Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) Escalade 2WD 3.23 8,100 / 3,674 - - Escalade 4WD 3.23 7,900 / 3,583 - - Escalade-V 4WD - - 3.23 7,200 / 3,266
2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV Towing Capacities
Model Drivetrain 6.2L V8 L87 Supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 Axle Ratio Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) Axle Ratio Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) Escalade ESV 2WD 3.23 7,500 / 3,402 - - Escalade ESV 4WD 3.23 7,300 / 3,311 - - Escalade-V ESV 4WD - - 3.23 7,000 / 3,175
A notable change to Cadillac Escalade towing for the 2025 model year is removal of a trailering package option. For the 2024 Cadillac Escalade, the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package (RPO code ZM1) was optional on all trim levels except the Luxury trim.
This package is now deleted for the 2025 model year, and all its contents are standard on all trim levels except the Luxury trim. The components added include the following:
- Auxiliary trailer camera (LPO, TRO)
- 2-speed electronic transfer case for dinghy towing (NQH – 4WD models only)
- Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System (PTT)
- Trailering Assist Guidelines (THS)
- Extra capacity cooling system (V03)
As before, all variants include standard trailering equipment for the model (RPO code Z82), specifically:
- Trailering hitch platform
- 7-wire harness with independent fused trailering circuits
- 7-way sealed connector
The maximum Cadillac Escalade towing capacity for the 2025 model year is 8,100 pounds for the standard Escalade with 2WD and the L87 engine, a 100-pound decrease from 2024. Meanwhile, the high-performance Escalade-V and Escalade-V ESV SUVs with their supercharged engines can tow only 7,200 pounds, though this is up 100 pounds from the 2024 model year.
The usual set of GM recommendations applies to 2025 Cadillac Escalade towing. Towing should not be carried out at all during the first 500 miles of driving to avoid damage to the vehicle while this break-in period is in effect. Furthermore, during the first 500 miles of towing, the driver should not go above 50 miles per hour and should avoid making starts at full acceleration.
Towing should be carried out in Drive (D) mode for lighter trailers, while heavier loads should be towed in Tow/Haul mode. Frequent downshifts indicate the SUV should be driven in Manual mode with the given load.
As standard practice, General Motors recommends deactivation of several features and technologies, if present, before hauling a load or trailer, which include the following:
- Park Assist
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Lane Change Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Super Cruise, unless equipped with trailering functionality
As a reminder, all Escalade variants continue to be underpinned by the GM T1 platform. Production of the SUV takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, with the first 2025 model year units rolling off the assembly line in October.
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