DecodedCars2005 Cadillac Escalade
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, Esv 4dr SUV AWD, Ext P/U Ext Cab S/Box AWD
- Engines
- 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 15 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 198.8–222 in
- Curb weight
- 5,571–5,818 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 17% below the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 17% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 198.8 in | 78.7 in | 74.4 in | 116.1 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 5,571 lb | 52/48 |
| Esv 4dr SUV AWD | 222 in | 78.7 in | 75.6 in | 129.9 in | 65.4 / 66.1 in | 5,818 lb | 61/39 |
| Ext P/U Ext Cab S/Box AWD | 221.3 in | 79.5 in | 75.6 in | 130.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 5,752 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -17% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Escalade 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | -22% | $5,850 | 635 |
| Escalade AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -22% | $6,300 | 684 |
| Escalade ESV AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -22% | $6,300 | 684 |
| Escalade Ext AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -22% | $6,300 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Cadillac Escalade (this car) | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Land Rover Range Rover | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Volvo XC90 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Lexus LX | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Lexus GX | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Lincoln Navigator | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2005 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Service Brakes — 6 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 131,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Escalade years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Escalade | 17 | 228.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Escalade | 17 | 227.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 54 |
| 2025 Escalade | 17 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 39 |
| 2024 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 74 |
| 2023 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 234 |
| 2022 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 143 |
| 2021 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 169 |
| 2020 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 36 |
| 2019 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 59 |
| 2018 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 37 |
| 2017 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 89 |
| 2016 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 104 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →