2025 Cadillac Escalade

Is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade a Good SUV?

"The 'Slade continues to operate on the bigger and brawnier side of this opulent segment, being after all a close relative to the Silverado 1500 pickup truck (or more directly, a fancified Chevy Tahoe). But Cadillac has slathered so much leather and tech and sound-deadening material throughout this thing that it's almost a rolling isolation chamber. Thanks to a major refresh for 2025, the Escalade now looks much more like its EV stablemates, but it's still proudly V8-powered under the hood. Inside, a jaw-dropping 55-inch infotainment screen spans the entire width of the dashboard. We can't give the Escalade high marks for efficiency or value, but Cadillac knows its customers and seems to be giving them even more of what they want."—Ranked #2 out of 7 Full-Size Luxury SUVs

Which 2025 Cadillac Escalade Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2025 Cadillac Escalade 6.2 Rear-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $87,595
• MPG Combined: 17
• Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
• Engine: 6.2-liter V8
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 420 
• Torque: 460 lb⁠-⁠ft
• Weight: 5,807 lbs
• Length: 211.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 8,100 lbs

The Escalade's unique attitude continues to set it apart from other luxury SUVs. You already know it's thirsty with the V8, even in base rear-drive form. You might want one anyway.

2. 2025 Cadillac Escalade 6.2 Four-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $90,595
• MPG Combined: 16
• Drive Type: Four-wheel drive
• Engine: 6.2-liter V8
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 420 
• Torque: 460 lb⁠-⁠ft
• Weight: 6,014 lbs
• Length: 211.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 8,000 lbs

You might as well spring for 4WD, right? We applaud Cadillac for offering an honest-to-goodness two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing, which is what makes it 4WD rather than AWD. You might never use the low range, but it's nice to know it's there.

3. 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V (6.2 Supercharged AWD)

• Base Price: $159,995
• MPG Combined: 13
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 6.2-liter V8
• Aspiration: Supercharged
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 682 
• Torque: 653 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 4.3 sec
• Weight: 6,361 lbs
• Length: 213.0 in
• Towing Capacity: 7,200 lbs

The bad news is that max towing capacity drops to 7,200 pounds if you get the V. Cadillac also replaces the dual-range 4WD system with a full-time all-wheel-drive setup, so you can't switch it into low range in treacherous conditions. But the good news is that there's an all-world engine under the hood, if you're into supercharged V8s that make gobs of effortless power.