The Cadillac Escalade’s calling card is that it’s an opulent luxury SUV with the capability and practicality of a full-size, body-on-frame SUV with three-row seating. While the fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade, which rides on the T1 platform, still fulfills that reputation, one of its fancy new options is a slight hindrance to its practicality.
One of the big highlights of the 2025 refresh of the Cadillac Escalade is the $7,500 Executive Second Row Seating Package (RPO ABV) available in the standard-wheelbase Escalade and the long-wheelbase ESV.
This seating package creates first-class accommodations in the second row, with heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, AKG speakers in the headrests, a center console with tray tables, and a pair of screens behind the front seats. Unfortunately for Escalade owners with big cargo hauling needs, these optional second-row seats do not fold flat.
“Executive seats do not fold flat, only incline to access/exit the third row,” reads the Seats and Restraints section of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade owner’s manual. The third-row seats still fold flat, making for a lot of cargo space, but an Escalade with executive second-row seats can’t unlock its full cargo-hauling potential. The seats are simply too fancy, making them bulky and less foldable.
We contacted Cadillac asking if there was an official max cargo space rating for the Escalade and Escalade ESV when equipped with the Executive Second Row Seating Package, but have yet to receive a response. For now, we’ll rely on the published ratings calculated behind the second-row seatbacks, which amount to 72.9 cubic feet in the Escalade and 94.1 in the ESV.
| Dimension | Escalade | Escalade ESV | +/- Escalade vs. ESV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in.) | 120.9 | 134.1 | +13.2 |
| Length (in.) | 211.9 | 227.0 | +15.1 |
| Width (in.) | 81.1 | 81.1 | 0 |
| Height (in.) | 76.7 | 76.4 | -0.3 |
| Front Track (in.) | 68.4 | 68.4 | 0 |
| Rear Track (in.) | 68.1 | 68.1 | 0 |
This is a pretty significant compromise. For the standard-wheelbase Escalade, folding down the second row makes 65 percent more cargo space compared to just having the third row folded down. For the ESV models, that number is 51 percent. It should make Escalade shoppers second-guess whether that extra second-row comfort is worth the sacrifice in cargo space.
That said, this won’t matter much for some Escalade buyers. If you treat your Escalade like a limo, spend most of your time in the second row, and have a driver who does most of the actual driving, then the Executive Second Row Seating Package is worth it. However, if you just want comfier seats for your kids, think twice before giving up the full cargo-hauling potential of the Cadillac Escalade. The standard back seats are already pretty nice.
Comment
What is the intent by framing this as negative? Do negative leaning takes lead to more engagement?
This is an OPTION for individuals who would use the Escalade solely to be chauffeured around.
I highly doubt they are thinking about whether or not someone can enter the third row easier or if they can lug around some particle board.