If you're seeking full-size SUV utility and capability combined with the highest level of luxury, it's hard to beat the Cadillac Escalade. General Motors' (GM) luxury brand introduced this popular full-size SUV to its lineup 25 years ago. Now, in its fifth generation, the 2025 Escalade undergoes a significant refresh, featuring updated exterior styling, a completely redesigned high-tech interior, and a range of new, advanced features. This current model is a substantial upgrade from the last Escalade we reviewed.
Photo: Perry Stern
It's been a few years since the Cadillac Escalade entered its fifth generation, bringing significant changes. For 2025, the big Caddy has several updates, including:
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade comes in both standard and extended (ESV) lengths, with six trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, and the high-performance Escalade V. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, with four-wheel drive (4WD) available as an option; however, the Escalade V is equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. Prices range from around $90,000 to $169,000, including the destination charge. Cadillac also offers the fully electric Escalade IQ.
For this 2025 Escalade review, Cadillac supplied a test vehicle with Premium Luxury Platinum trim, 4WD, and the following options:
The test vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $125,220, including the $2,195 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Arlington, Texas, assembly plant to your local dealership.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Cadillac Escalade already commands a bold presence on the road, and for the 2025 model year, the large vertical grille receives a refresh. A lit Cadillac crest adorns the center of the grille, and the grille surround on higher trims lights up.
Headlights return to a vertical design with a high-tech style, creating a chiseled look to the front end, while slim LED daytime running lights along the hood add to the distinctive appearance at night. Slight updates at the rear create a cleaner look, and the new 24-inch wheels—the largest ever offered on the Escalade—complete the new appearance. Three new colors are available, including the Latte Metallic finish on my test vehicle.
While the exterior changes are pretty subtle, the interior updates are much more noticeable. Featuring a sleek, high-tech design, the cabin boasts a new 55-inch display that spans the dashboard from one door to the other. Horizontal vents run along the dashboard, enhancing the broad, spacious look.
The shifter is now mounted on the steering column, freeing up space for an additional display screen in the center console. This extra screen offers access to climate controls, headlights, parking functions, the glove box, and power door locks.
A central controller and volume knob are the only physical controls left in the Escalade. There's also a wireless phone charger that's easily accessible and just the right size to prevent the phone from sliding off the charging panel. The steering wheel is also new for the 2025 model year, featuring a new two-spoke design with clear haptic controls.
There are two new interior color palettes this year, including the Jet Black/Sheer Gray found in my test vehicle. The contrasting colors add a high level of elegance to the cabin, along with the high-gloss wood veneer on the dashboard, doors, and center console. The front seats feature heathered gray fabric with quilted and perforated leather, offering both style and comfort. Seats are heated and ventilated with massage functionality.
The second-row seating continues to provide excellent legroom and headroom. Complemented by an available rear-seat entertainment system, my test vehicle didn't include this feature. Cadillac also offers an Executive Second Row package for the new model year, which enhances the rear seat with stowable tray tables, dual 12.6-inch display screens, and a centrally located control screen, similar to the one in the front center console. The package also includes dual wireless charging pads, massaging seats, and headrest speakers.
Photo: Perry Stern
A glance at this latest Escalade shows its technological upgrades, starting with the massive 55-inch display. I expected it to be distracting, but it’s surprisingly user-friendly, and I got used to it almost right away.
The large screen includes the digital gauge cluster, main infotainment display, and a display for the front passenger. While all three sections blend seamlessly, from the driver's seat, the steering wheel frames the gauge cluster nicely. There's also a full-color head-up display that shows important information, such as speed and navigation directions, projected onto the windshield.
An available Night Vision system projects an infrared view into the driver display, allowing it to show vehicles, people, or animals beyond the range of the headlights.
Like other GM vehicles, the Escalade's infotainment system is Google-based, offering features such as Google Maps and Google Assistant. Logging in with your Google account makes it easy to transfer navigation destinations from your phone to the vehicle's system and provides access to favorite locations, such as home and work. The same login also allows you to download additional apps from the Google Play Store. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard for those who prefer a more familiar interface.
Also new for the 2025 model year is the passenger display screen. Positioned on the right side of the 55-inch display, this extra screen lets the front passenger view vehicle data, browse the internet, or stream videos and movies. A special filter on the screen allows the passenger to enjoy entertainment without distracting the driver.
Enhancing the high-tech feel of the Escalade's cabin is the extra control screen in the center console. Although I usually prefer physical controls for climate adjustments, the easy-to-reach location and large display make it simple to change temperature and airflow. This screen also allows you to adjust massage settings, activate the headlights, and manage power door functions.
One of the most significant updates for the 2025 Escalade is the addition of power doors. To open, simply squeeze the door latch, and the door will open automatically. Get in, press the brake, and the door closes on its own. You can open or close all doors together or separately using the center display screen, and sensors prevent the doors from opening into any obstacles. Now, the chauffeur doesn't need to get out to open the door for you; they can do it with just a button push.
Photo: Perry Stern
While many competing full-size SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX80 have shifted away from traditional V8 engines in favor of more efficient turbocharged six-cylinder engines, the Escalade retains its 6.2-liter V8 engine. This large V8 delivers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. That's enough power to tow up to 8,100 pounds.
There are many reasons to buy a Cadillac Escalade, but fuel efficiency isn't one of them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2025 Escalade 4WD is estimated to achieve 16 mpg combined. Switching to RWD results in approximately one mile per gallon improvement. During my test drive in the Escalade, the trip computer showed 15.2 mpg.
While the V8 provides plenty of power, the Escalade weighs over three tons. That's a lot of mass to move. But the big V8 is ready for the challenge, offering decent acceleration from a stop and reaching highway speed quickly. However, if you want something faster, choose the Escalade V, which features a 682-hp supercharged V8 engine.
The Escalade features GM's Magnetic Ride Control and adaptive air suspension, but the ride wasn't as smooth as expected, the suspension unable to fully smooth out the rough pavement in SE Michigan when driving on 24-inch wheels with low-profile tires. While I could feel the bumps, the ride wasn't uncomfortable or jarring.
My usual drive route includes some winding back roads. When I took a corner a bit faster than I should have, the Escalade's size and weight were clearly noticeable, with significant body lean and tires working hard to prevent crossing the center line. The Escalade is much more comfortable on back roads at a relaxed pace, through town, or cruising on the highway.
The highlight of driving the Escalade on the highway is using Super Cruise. Cadillac offers three years of Super Cruise as standard on the Escalade, and in my view, it is one of the best hands-free driving systems available. While driving on Interstate 94 outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, I set the cruise control to 70 mph, and the light at the top of the steering wheel turned green, indicating that Super Cruise was active and I could relax my grip on the wheel.
Super Cruise does a great job keeping the large SUV in its lane and at a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, but it can also pass on its own. When I encountered a slower vehicle in my lane, the turn signal activated, and a warning appeared on the driver display, indicating that the automatic lane change was in progress. The Escalade moved to the left lane, resumed the set speed, and continued past the slower vehicle. Activating the right signal brought the Cadillac back into my original lane.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Cadillac Escalade continues to fulfill the role it established 25 years ago, delivering high-end luxury in the full-size SUV market. Fresh styling and a generous boost of advanced technology in the 2025 Escalade enhance its appeal. Updated competitors like the Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX80 are strong contenders to the Escalade. Still, with its V8 power and a wide range of luxury, tech, and safety features, the Escalade continues to set the standard among premium full-size SUVs.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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