Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV marketed globally by General Motors. Built at the GM Arlington plant, currently sold primarily in North America and is exported to select markets including but not limited to South Korea and the Middle East. The Escalade was introduced in 1999 as a response to the popular Lincoln Navigator, and represents the luxury marque’s first foray into the full-size luxury SUV segment.

The name “Escalade” refers to a warfare tactic in which large walls or ramparts are scaled with the help of ladders. The nameplate survived Cadillac’s shift toward an alphanumeric naming convention for its lineup instead of “real” names for its vehicles. As such, the Cadillac Escalade continues to be one of the most recognizable names in the automotive industry.

First Generation (1999 – 2000)

1999 Cadillac Escalade

The first-generation Cadillac Escalade debuted for the 1999 model year and entered production just 10 months after its approval. Riding on the GMT400 platform, the first-gen Escalade was almost identical to the GMC Yukon Denali. As a result, most of the exterior styling is very similar, while the interior appointments of the two full-size SUVs varied drastically.

Specifically, the Escalade was packed with many premium features, including a high-end AM-FM/cassette stereo with a Bose audio system, power-adjustable front bucket seats with driver memory system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

There was only on powerplant on offer, which included:

Model Year	Engine	Horsepower	Torque (pound-feet)	Fuel Type	Aspiration	Notes
1999 – 2000	5.7L V8 L31 (Vortec 5300)	255	330	Gasoline	Naturally Aspirated	-

The sole transmission option included the GM four-speed automatic transmission.

Production of the first-gen Cadillac Escalade spanned from the 1999 to 2000 model years, while there was only one trim level available. There were only three exterior colors available for this generation: Silver Sand, Aspen White and Bordeaux Red Pearl.

Second Generation (2002 – 2006)

2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The second-gen Escalade represented a dramatic shift in the full-size luxury SUV’s design, which was completely overhauled to set it apart from its corporate cousin. The second-generation Escalade debuted in early 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle, and featured a choice of two drivetrains, including standard rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive for the regular length model. The 5.3L V8 engine (production code LM7) was standard on all models, while the higher-output 6.0L V8 Vortec engine (production code L96) was optional.

The Cadillac Escalade EXT, a sport utility pickup version of the luxury SUV, was also introduced for the 2002 model year. All-wheel-drive was standard on the Escalade EXT, and under the hood this model exclusively featured the 6.0L Vortec V8 engine.

Additionally, the Escalade ESV (Escalade Stretch Vehicle) joined the lineup for the 2003 model year. This model gained approximately 12 inches of wheelbase length, granting more third-row legroom and rear cargo storage. As with the Escalade EXT, the Escalade ESV featured all-wheel-drive and the 6.0L Vortec V8 as standard.

The second-gen Escalade also gained a second trim level, known as Platinum. This trim was available exclusively for the Escalade ESV and included a set of 20-inch chrome wheels, a slightly lowered suspension, heated and cooled seats for the front and second seating rows, a moon roof and a chrome grille.

Third Generation (2007 – 2014)

2013 Cadillac Escalade

Production of the third-generation Escalade kicked off in January 2006 as a 2007 model year vehicle. Not only was the luxury SUV treated to a complete redesign inside and out, it was also granted the more powerful 6.2L V8 L94 Vortec engine, which was made available in addition to the existing 6.0L V8 engine. The L94 took the place of the 5.3L V8, which was no longer offered beginning in 2007.

Standard equipment for the third-generation Escalade included tri-zone climate control, heated front and second-row seats, 14-way power front seats, remote engine start, a power liftgate, and premium sound system. Opting for the range-topping Platinum trim added a DVD entertainment system to the rear seats, a navigation system up front, heated and cooled cupholders, a rearview camera, cooled front seats and power-retractable running boards.

2015 Cadillac Escalade EXT

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade introduced a new hybrid variant of the full-size luxury SUV. This model was powered by the 6.0L Vortec V8, which was paired with two 60 kW electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This model boasted a 20 mph fuel efficiency rating, a 33 percent improvement over the “regular” gasoline-powered Escalade. Popularity of the hybrid Escalade took off, as the model accounted for one-fifth of Escalade sales by August 2009. However, the novelty was short-lived, and the hybrid Escalade slowly saw its sales decline over the next few years. It was ultimately axed in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Escalade EXT pickup was faced with a similar fate and was also dropped from the lineup after the 2013 model year. This was the result of quite a few factors affecting not only the Escalade EXT but its corporate cousin and platform mate, the Chevy Avalanche, that ultimately led to the discontinuation of both models. In short, amid declining interest and GM recovering from its 2009 bankruptcy, the automaker no longer saw a need to offer the Avalanche alongside the full-size Chevrolet Silverado, claiming that it was no longer interested in selling a model that “duplicated efforts.” Without its platform mate, the Escalade EXT was also killed off, ending the luxury pickup’s eight-year production run.

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Fourth Generation (2015 – 2020)

2019 Cadillac Escalade Sport

Unveiled in late 2013 as a 2015 model year vehicle, the all-new fourth-generation Cadillac Escalade entered production in early 2014. Customers could choose from Base, Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, but were limited to one engine option: the 6.2L L86 V8.

For the 2016 model year, driver assist features, such as Lane Keep Assist, became standard across the board. The Platinum trim was also reintroduced for this model year, becoming the most well-equipped model in the lineup. These changes coincided with an update to the Cadillac crest itself, which dropped its laurel-wreathed design in favor of a sleeker, modern elongated chevron.

2016 Cadillac Escalade

The luxury SUV’s headlights were redesigned for the 2017 model year. The Escalade also received a revamped trim level lineup that consisted of Standard, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum.

For 2018, the Escalade’s center stack was revamped, right down to the cupholders. This model year also lost the 10-speed automatic transmission, replaced by the eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 2019 model year saw the addition of the Sport package across all trim levels, although it was not yet considered its own trim.

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2020 model year represented the final for the Escalade’s fourth generation. Initially, Cadillac had plans to revamp the Escalade’s front end to more closely resemble that of the Cadillac XT6 for this model year, but this never came to fruition as the Escalade was slated for a generational changeover for the 2021 model year.

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Fifth Generation (2021 – Present)

2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport

The fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade debuted in February 2020 as a 2021 model year SUV. The pandemic forced the luxury marque to postpone production of its all-new flagship SUV, though its order banks opened in April 2020.

The Escalade was overhauled from the inside out, gaining an all-new interior and exterior, a new 38-inch OLED screen inside the vehicle to display the gauge cluster and infotainment displays, the addition of the GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assist feature, and a revamped trim level lineup that is still in place. This includes the base Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum and Escalade-V trims.

The “regular” Escalade engine lineup consists of the naturally aspirated 6.2L L87 V8, which is capable of 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, as well as the optional 3.0L LM2 I6 Duramax turbodiesel, which produces 277 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. Both engine options work in conjunction with the GM 10-speed automatic transmission. The fifth-gen Escalade is built on the GM T1 platform.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V

The high-performance Cadillac Escalade-V joined the lineup for the 2023 model year, featuring the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 engine that’s also harnessed by the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. That powerhouse is good for a blistering 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque – making it the most powerful Cadillac ever to be produced.

The Cadillac Escalade-V features full-time active all-wheel-drive to improve grip, and power is routed to the wheels via GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Torque is split between each of the four wheels and varies depending on conditions, but is typically divided equally. Standard Launch Control helps the high-performance SUV gallop from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.4 seconds, with the quarter-mile conquered in 12.74 seconds at 110 mph.

2025 Cadillac Escalade prototype

Looking ahead, the 2025 model year will bring a refresh for the Cadillac Escalade. This will include various interior and exterior updates, including a revised front fascia as well as a coast-to-coast screen inside. It will also feature a new 3.0L LZO I6 Duramax turbodiesel engine (which will replace the existing 3.0L LM2 Duramax), which will provide 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque.

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