DecodedCarsCadillac Escalade
23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Latest engines
- 6.2L 8-cyl
- Best MPG
- 14–23 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 45 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2023 (234)
- Fewest problems
- 2020
- Interest
- 23,724 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Escalade in brief
The 2026 Cadillac Escalade is a standard SUV offered with a 6.2L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 227 inches long and 81 inches wide on a 134-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,869 lb (Esv Luxury 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 19 highway), 22% worse than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
The Cadillac Escalade has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2024 at 23 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 14 to 23 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (759), air bags (346), electrical system (247).
Buying used? 2019 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2021 is the year to avoid.
2021 has the most recalls (12); all years together count 45 campaigns and 1,760 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Escalade compares
The 2005 Cadillac Escalade is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,571 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
About the Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac as its first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs during the late 1990s, including the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built at Arlington Assembly in Arlington, Texas.
From the Wikipedia article "Cadillac Escalade", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Escalade pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 22% below the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Best and worst years to buy used
2019 Escalade
59 owner complaints · 1 recall · 1 fire report · 2 crash reports
Year to avoid2021 Escalade
169 owner complaints · 12 recalls · 2 fire reports · 5 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Escalade changes by model year
- 2027
- New body dimensions: 1.1 in longer, wheelbase +1.9 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2025
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 23 to 17
- NHTSA overall rating up from 4 to 5 stars
- 2021
- New body dimensions: 23.3 in longer, wheelbase +18.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New diesel version
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 17 to 23
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2014
- No hybrid version any more
- Engine dropped: 6.0L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 21 to 16
- 2010
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 22
- 2009
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 6.0L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 14 to 20
- 2007
- New body dimensions: 3.6 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 6.2L 8-cyl
- Engine dropped: 6.0L 8-cyl
- 2006
- Engine dropped: 5.3L 8-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 23 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 228.3 in | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 227.2 in | 5,869 lb | Not rated | 4 | 54 |
| 2025 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 227.2 in | 5,869 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 39 |
| 2024 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl | 23 MPG | 227.2 in | 5,869 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 74 |
| 2023 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl | 23 MPG | 227.2 in | 5,869 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 234 |
| 2022 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl | 23 MPG | 227.2 in | 5,869 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 143 |
| 2021 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl | 23 MPG | 227.2 in | 5,869 lb | ★★★★★ | 12 | 169 |
| 2020 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 203.9 in | 5,840 lb | Not rated | 2 | 36 |
| 2019 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 203.9 in | 5,840 lb | Not rated | 1 | 59 |
| 2018 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 203.9 in | 5,840 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 37 |
| 2017 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 203.9 in | 5,840 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 89 |
| 2016 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 203.9 in | 5,840 lb | Not rated | 4 | 104 |
| 2015 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 203.9 in | 5,840 lb | Not rated | 9 | 106 |
| 2014 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,690 lb | Not rated | 2 | 20 |
| 2013 | 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,690 lb | Not rated | 4 | 19 |
| 2012 | 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,690 lb | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2011 | 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,690 lb | Not rated | 6 | 60 |
| 2010 | 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,690 lb | Not rated | 3 | 39 |
| 2009 | 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 20 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,666 lb | Not rated | 4 | 71 |
| 2008 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 14 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,666 lb | Not rated | 3 | 138 |
| 2007 | 6.2L 8-cyl | 14 MPG | 202.4 in | 5,571 lb | Not rated | 3 | 207 |
| 2006 | 6.0L 8-cyl | 14 MPG | 198.8 in | 5,571 lb | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
| 2005 | 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl | 15 MPG | 198.8 in | 5,571 lb | Not rated | 0 | 27 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Escalade
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Polestar 4 | 310 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Acura ZDX | 327 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Polestar 3 | 312 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →