DecodedCars2025 Cadillac Escalade
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- Esv Luxury 4dr SUV, Esv Sport / Premium Luxury 4dr SUV, Esv Sport Platinum / Premium Luxury Platform 4dr SUV, Iq 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 6.2L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 211.8–227.2 in
- Curb weight
- 5,721–6,111 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- 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, 19% below the 2025 standard SUV average of 21 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 21.9% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 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), 19% worse than the 2025 standard SUV average of 21 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 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
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Escalade →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Arlington, Texas · Detroit, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Escalade configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esv Luxury 4dr SUV | 227.2 in | 81.1 in | 76.4 in | 134.3 in | 68.5 / 68.1 in | 5,869 lb | 53/47 |
| Esv Sport / Premium Luxury 4dr SUV | 227.2 in | 81.1 in | 76.4 in | 134.3 in | 68.5 / 68.1 in | 5,992 lb | 53/47 |
| Esv Sport Platinum / Premium Luxury Platform 4dr SUV | 227.2 in | 81.1 in | 76.4 in | 134.3 in | 68.5 / 68.1 in | 6,111 lb | 53/47 |
| Iq 4dr SUV | 224.4 in | 82.3 in | 76 in | 136.2 in | 68.5 / 68.5 in | 5,809 lb | |
| Luxury 4dr SUV | 211.8 in | 81.1 in | 76.8 in | 120.9 in | 68.5 / 68.1 in | 5,721 lb | 52/48 |
| Sport / Premium Luxury 4dr SUV | 211.8 in | 81.1 in | 76.8 in | 120.9 in | 68.5 / 68.1 in | 5,838 lb | 52/48 |
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 | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | -19% | $4,850 | 537 |
| Escalade 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | -19% | $5,150 | 572 |
| Escalade V AWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S10) | 4-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -34% | $6,300 | 683 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 21.9% |
| 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 21.2% |
Similar 2025 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Cadillac Escalade (this car) | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Polestar 4 | 300 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Polestar 3 | 350 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Wheels › Hub · May 14, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V304000 · 2,457 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025â2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.
- Risk
- A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 14, 2026.
Not every 2025 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 22 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 6 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,000 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 2025 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 |
| 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 |
| 2015 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 9 | 106 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →