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Cadillac Escalade ESV
The Cadillac Escalade ESV is an extended-length variant of the Cadillac Escalade full-size luxury SUV, with more room for rear-seat passengers and luggage. It was introduced for the 2003 model year, one year after the second-generation Escalade.
Strictly speaking, the first to fourth generations of the Escalade ESV therefore correspond to the second to fifth generations of the Escalade. However, it is more convenient to refer to the current ESV as being part of the fifth-generation Escalade range, and so on back in time. This convention will be used throughout this page.
ESV stands for ‘Escalade Stretched Vehicle’, though this term is almost never used.
All generations of the Escalade ESV have been built at the GM Arlington plant in Arlington, Texas.
Second Generation
The Escalade ESV introduced for the 2003 model year was longer and wider – but lower – than the regular Escalade, with a longer wheelbase. Its dimensions were identical to those of the Escalade EXT pickup truck.
2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Length (in / cm) | 198.9 / 505 | 221.4 / 562 |
| Wheelbase (in / cm) | 116.0 / 295 | 130.0 / 330 |
| Width (in / cm) | 78.9 / 200 | 79.5 / 202 |
| Height (in / cm) | 76.5 / 194 | 75.7 / 192 |
This generation of Escalade ESV was based on the long-wheelbase GMT820 platform, also used for the ninth-generation Chevrolet Suburban and the XL version of the second-generation GMC Yukon. Unlike the regular Escalade, which was available with rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, the Escalade ESV was available only with four-wheel-drive.
The second-generation Escalade ESV was powered either by the 5.3L V8 LM7 gasoline Vortec engine producing 295 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, or by the 6.0L V8 LQ9 from the same family, which was rated at 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both were paired with GM’s 4L65-E four-speed automatic transmission.
Third Generation
Introduced for the 2007 model year, the third-generation Escalade ESV was once again longer than the Escalade, but it was also the same width and very slightly lower. In all dimensions it was very similar in size to the previous Escalade ESV.
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Length (in / cm) | 202.5 / 514 | 222.9 / 566 |
| Wheelbase (in / cm) | 116.0 / 295 | 130.0/ 330 |
| Width (in / cm) | 79.0 / 201 | 79.0 / 201 |
| Height (in / cm) | 74.7 / 190 | 74.5 / 189 |
The new Escalade ESV was built on the extended-length GMT930 platform, shared once again with the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL. The only available engine was the 6.2L V8 L92 Vortec 6200 unit, which had variable valve timing and was rated at 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. The 6.0-liter V8 gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain fitted to the regular Escalade was not offered for the ESV.
Fourth Generation
The Escalade ESV was completely overhauled for the 2015 model year. It was now built on the GM K2XX platform, also used for the contemporary Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL full-size SUVs and the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Length (in / mm) | 203.9 / 5179 | 224.3 / 5697 |
| Wheelbase (in / mm) | 116.0 / 2946 | 130.0 / 3302 |
| Width (in / mm) | 80.5 / 2044 | 80.5 / 2045 |
| Height (in / mm) | 74.4 / 1889 | 74.0 / 1880 |
Once again, the Escalade ESV was significantly longer than the Escalade (by 20.4 inches in this generation) but almost identical in width and height.
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Third row legroom (in / mm) | 24.8 / 630 | 34.5 / 876 |
| Cargo room behind 1st row, 2nd row folded, no 3rd row (cu ft / litres) | 94.2 / 2667 | 120.9 / 3424 |
| Cargo room behind 2nd row, no 3rd row (cu ft / litres) | 51.6 / 1461 | 76.7 / 2172 |
| Cargo room behind 3rd row (cu ft / litres) | 15.2 / 430 | 39.3 / 1113 |
The extra length of the ESV added nearly 10 inches to the legroom for third-row passengers, and vastly expanded the cargo room in all seat configurations. With all three rows in position, cargo room was well over twice that of the regular Escalade. No other interior dimensions were affected.
The fourth-generation Escalade ESV was available only with the 6.2L V8 L86 gasoline engine from the EcoTec3 family. This unit featured several state-of-the-art technologies, including direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (AFM) – also known as cylinder deactivation – and continuously variable valve timing. It produced an SAE certified 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
The motor was paired at first with GM’s Hydra-Matic 6L80 MYC six-speed automatic transmission, but this was quickly replaced by the GM Hydra-Matic 8L90 M4U eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel drive were both available.
Fifth Generation
The fifth-generation Escalade ESV features a complete overhaul (re-engineering and redesign) of the flagship SUV. It rides on the extended-length version of the all-new GM T1 platform also used for the fifth-generation GMC Yukon XL and 12th-generation Chevrolet Suburban. Advanced features include the following:
- Augmented Reality-based navigation
- Surround Vision
- Trailering Integration Package
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Night Vision
- Industry-first Curved OLED Display
- Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistance system
- Magnetic Ride Control
- Air Ride Adaptive Suspension
- Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD)
The Escalade ESV is available as standard with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine from the Ecotec 3 family, which produces an SAE-certified 420 horsepower / 313 kilowatts @ 5600 RPM with 460 pound-feet / 623 newton meters of torque @ 4100 rpm. The 3.0L I6 LM2 turbo diesel Duramax, which makes a GM-estimated 277 horsepower / 207 kilowatts @ 3750 RPM with 460 pound-feet / 623 newton meters of torque @ 1500 rpm, is offered as a no-cost option.
Both engines are paired with the GM Hydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic and a 3.23 final drive ratio. All versions of the vehicle are available with either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Length (in / mm) | 211.0 / 5382 | 226.9 / 5766 |
| Wheelbase (in / mm) | 120.9 / 3071 | 134.1 / 3407 |
| Width (in / mm) | 81.0 / 2059 | 81.1 / 2059 |
| Height (in / mm) | 76.6 / 1948 | 76.4 / 1942 |
| Front track (in / mm) | 68.5 / 1737 | 68.5 / 1737 |
| Rear track (in / mm) | 68.3 / 1730 | 68.3 / 1730 |
As before, the Escalade ESV is almost identical to the regular Cadillac Escalade in all dimensions other than length. Both models are significantly larger than those of the fourth generation.
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Third row legroom (in / mm) | 34.9 / 886 | 36.6 / 933 |
| EPA passenger volume (cu ft / litres) | 168.4 / 4733 | 170.4 / 4802 |
| Cargo volume behind 1st row (cu ft / litres) | 109.1 / 3089 | 126.6 / 3585 |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row (cu ft / litres) | 63 / 1784 | 81.5 / 2308 |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row (cu ft / litres) | 25.5 / 722 | 42.9 / 1214 |
The principal effect of the extra wheelbase is to add approximately 500 to the cargo volume in all seat configurations. There is also a slight increase in legroom for passengers in the third row. All other interior dimensions are the same, or differ by at most 0.1 inches.
| Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight (lb / kg) | ||
| 6.2L RWD | 5635 / 2556 | 5785 / 2624 |
| 6.2L 4WD | 5822 / 2640 | 5992 / 2718 |
| 3.0L RWD | 5827 / 2643 | 5974 / 2710 |
| 3.0L 4WD | 6015 / 2728 | 6182 / 2804 |
| Trailering (lb / kg) | ||
| 6.2L RWD standard | 7700 / 3492 | 7600 / 3447 |
| 6.2L 4WD standard | 7500 / 3402 | 7400 / 3356 |
| 6.2L RWD max. | 8200 / 3719 | 8100 / 3674 |
| 6.2L 4WD max. | 8000 / 3628 | 7900 / 3583 |
| 3.0L RWD | 8000 / 3628 | 7900 / 3583 |
| 3.0L 4WD | 7800 / 3538 | 7700 / 3492 |
The curb weight of the Escalade ESV is between 150 pounds and 170 pounds greater than that of the regular Escalade. The trailering weight is 100 pounds lower for all versions.
The Escalade ESV follows the Cadillac Y trim level strategy introduced in 2018 and subsequently modified. The base level is called Luxury; above that sit Sport and Sport Platinum on one arm of the Y, and Premium Luxury and Premium Luxury Platinum on the other. As of April 2021, Sport costs more than Premium Luxury, but Sport Platinum and Premium Luxury Platinum are priced identically.
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- Cadillac Escalade ESV Sales Numbers
