Cadillac Escalade Generations: Through the Years

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A Full-Size Luxury Family Hauler  

Cadillac Escalades are everywhere. It doesn’t seem to matter what city or state I’m in. I see them on the Interstates, in business parks, at the airport, and in the Costco parking lot. What was Cadillac’s first attempt at getting into the SUV market became an immense modern success. Part of that success may have been the way Cadillac blended comfort and ability.

Since the first 1999 model, the Escalade evolved into the standard of luxury SUVs. Buyers may pay a pretty penny for this SUV, but it’s an SUV that delivered Whether celebrities are using it to get from club to club or families are using it as a daily driver, the Escalade serves enough purpose and has enough demand to keep this full-size SUV rolling for over 20 years now. Here’s your full-size look at how the Cadillac Escalade has evolved over time!

1st Generation Cadillac Escalade (1999–2000) 

• The Cadillac Escalade didn’t necessarily start as anything special. The 1999 Cadillac Escalade had a $46,525 sticker price, but it was basically identical to the GMC Yukon Denali with the same 5.7-liter V8 engine that made 255 horsepower. That was less than the 300-horsepower Lincoln Navigator, the competitor that pushed the Escalade into existence.
• The Escalade did come with transmission tuning that was meant to create a more refined ride. Front and rear Bilstein shock absorbers helped make it more luxurious for the five passengers who could fit into the SUV.
• With a four-wheel drive setup, the combination of that 5.7-liter V8 and a four-speed automatic transmission achieved 11 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 15 mpg on the highway.
• Some similarities between the Escalade and the Yukon continued outside the vehicle. The Escalade had a couple of minor differences in the grille, and, of course, had different badging, but much of it resembled the Yukon.

• The inside of the 1999 Escalade had a few specialties though. That included four doors with real wood, an instrument panel that featured imitation wood, a shifter wrapped in leather, and seats covered in perforated leather.
• A good number of amenities, like a Bose seven-speaker stereo, an in-dash CD player, a six-CD changer, heated front and rear seats, and rear-seat audio controls, were all standard.
• The base Escalade trim started at $46,225.
• The ‘99 Escalade also came with auto-dimming exterior mirrors, automatic headlamps, and optional OnStar in-vehicle communication.
• When the 2000 Cadillac Escalade rolled off the assembly line, it did so with vertically split rear cargo doors. Otherwise, the 2000 Escalade was pretty much the same as the 1999 model, and it was still living in the shadow of the Chevy Tahoe. That was about to change, though.

2nd Generation Cadillac Escalade (2002–2006) 

• While the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon launched with 2000 models as normal, the Cadillac Escalade was delayed. When the 2002 Cadillac Escalade arrived at Pebble Beach for the first time in February 2021, it had a lot of new offerings.
• In addition to the regular Cadillac Escalade model, the Cadillac Escalade EXT was added in 2002. Created to compete with the Lincoln Blackwood pickup truck, the Escalade EXT was part Escalade up front and part pickup bed in the back.
• Along with the new additions, the 2002 Cadillac Escalade was switched to a GMT820 chassis. Car shoppers could choose between a cheaper rear-wheel drive (RWD) model or a more capable all-wheel drive (AWD) model.
• The RWD version came with a 5.3-liter V8 making 285 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque while the AWD 2002 Escalade could be equipped with the Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 that made 345 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. No matter which engine was under the hood, it mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

• With the new powertrain, the 2002 Cadillac Escalade was capable of towing up to 8,500 lbs. with AWD. That load decreases to 6,600 lbs. with RWD.
• The interior features were also upgraded from the first generation of the Escalade. Now, an 11-speaker Bose audio system was standard.
• Functionality was also improved with a 50/50 split-bench third-row seat that was incorporated into all full-size GM SUVs. At 40 lbs., they can be lifted and removed to make more room for cargo.
• After successfully redefining itself with the 2002 model, the 2003 Cadillac Escalade continued with the upgrades. A stability control system became standard on RWD and AWD models. Not only was the stability improved, but the braking system was as well.

• Integrated turn signals and High-Intensity Discharge headlights were added as safety features on the 2003 model.
• Cabin safety was also improved with dual-stage airbags, a front-passenger seat sensor, and three-point seatbelts for passengers in the first and second rows.
• Also inside, the instrument cluster and center console were redesigned. Tri-zone climate control was added. So were steering wheel controls. Second-row captain’s chairs became an option. Available XM Satellite Radio and a DVD player were big updates on the entertainment front.
• Cadillac added the Escalade EXT in 2002, but they introduced another version of the Escalade. The 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV had a longer wheelbase, 14 inches longer between the front and rear wheels to be exact. With an overall size of 221.4 inches, the cabin volume also increased.

• Only available in AWD, the 2003 Escalade ESV had a 6.0-liter V8 and four-speed automatic transmission that made 345 horsepower.
• After so many changes during the first three production years of the second-generation Escalade, the 2004 Cadillac Escalade was mostly unchanged compared to the previous model, but there were still a few changes. XM satellite radio and second-row bucket seats became standard in the cabin. 2004 models could also be ordered with a sunroof. Finally, a tow package was another standard feature.
• For the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV, a new Platinum trim was added. It had heated and ventilated cup holders, heated and ventilated seats throughout the vehicle, 20-inch wheels, and an exclusive leather interior.
• Although there weren’t many updates on the 2005 Cadillac Escalade, the gauge cluster was redesigned yet again. So were the door panels.

• The digital touchscreen has become a mainstay in modern vehicles and is included in every one of our favorite High Tech Cars of 2024, but it was already being used way back in the ‘05 Escalade. Along with the touchscreen came an optional in-vehicle navigation system.
• The last model year of the second generation, the 2006 Cadillac Escalade, didn’t receive any big changes, but sales continued to climb. Compared to the 29,876 Escalades sold in 2005, the Cadillac sold 39,017 Escalades in 2006. This was the peak sales year for the Escalade for the next decade.
• Throughout the second generation of the Cadillac Escalade, the premium SUV was featured in a variety of music videos and movies, notably appearing in shows like The Sopranos and Entourage, in movies like The Matrix Reloaded, and in music videos from Nelly, Chingy, Timbaland, Jay Z, and Jennifer Lopez.
• Dr. Dre was another rapper who was a fan of the Escalade. In fact, he was such a fan that he purchased one and customized it to the point that it’s worth about $400,000.

3rd Generation Cadillac Escalade (2007–2014) 

• The 2007 Cadillac Escalade kicked off the third generation of the SUV with a completely revised version that included more power, cabin upgrades, and a longer warranty. It had a starting price of $57,280.
• Just like the start of the second generation, the start of the third generation involved moving to a completely new platform: the GMT900. The chassis was the same one used on the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, but GM used a new suspension design and rack and pinion steering to improve the ride and handling.
• The new standard engine was a 6.2-liter V8, dishing out 403 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque with the help of a six-speed automatic transmission. There was a manual-shift mode on that transmission, though.

• Still available in RWD or AWD, the 2007 Escalade couldn’t tow as much as the second-generation Escalade. This model could handle 7,400 lbs.
• The two-tone dash was given faux walnut inlays and a large, eight-inch navigation touchscreen. For the 2007 Cadillac Escalade, the cabin featured a powered flip-and-fold option for second-row seats. Third-row seats still don’t fold completely into the floor but can be removed like in the previous generation.
• To go along with the start of the second generation, the 2007 Cadillac was named the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL. MVP Hines Ward was given one after the game.
• Even though the Cadillac Escalade Platinum was added to the ESV on the 2004 model, it was added to the original Escalade nearly a decade after it debuted. The 2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum came midyear with a unique front fascia, limited-edition 22-inch wheels, and chrome accents.

• Inside, the 2008 Escalade Platinum included two DVD monitors embedded in the headrests of each front seat. Hand-stitched leather was used for the seats. The trim was made of genuine olive ash and buried walnut wood.
• Another big change was in store for the Cadillac Escalade, and it was introduced at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show. It was the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. This version of the Escalade had a 6.0-liter V8 that was helped by two 60-kW electric motors and a battery pack that’s located under the rear seat.
• On gasoline power alone, the 2009 Escalade Hybrid produced 332 horsepower and 367 lb.-ft. of torque. With the electric motors, the combined output totaled 379 horsepower. The electric motors were housed with the transmission.
• Beyond the addition of 2009 Escalade Hybrid, there were some changes made on the gas-powered Escalade, too. Cadillac added E-85 Flex-Fuel capability. An updated version of OnStar, a navigation system with a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and an available blind-spot warning were packed into the 2009 Escalade too.

• Heading into the 2010 model year, Cadillac made a handful of upgrades. The 2010 Cadillac Escalade was given a redesigned door and new front side-impact airbags. A USB connection was added inside, and cylinder-deactivation technology was added under the hood to make the 6.2-liter V8 more efficient.
• There weren’t too many changes on the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, but most of the upgrades that did occur were in the form of in-cabin technology. For example, the six-disc CD/DVD changer was removed from the vehicle in favor of a single-disc slot. The navigation system was no longer DVD-based. Instead, updates could be made with an SD card.
• Other than a couple of updates to the navigation system, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade remained mostly the same. The 2013 Escalade didn’t get any upgrades either.
• The 2014 Cadillac Escalade wrapped up the third generation of the SUV with no big improvements. It also limited options for shoppers interested in the Escalade Hybrid or the Escalade EXT. Both of those models were eliminated from the 2014 lineup. Only 1,972 2013 Escalade EXTs were sold, making it one of the worst-selling cars at the time.

4th Generation Cadillac Escalade (2015-2020) 

• A redesigned 2015 Cadillac Escalade rolled out of production with a 6.2-liter V8 that increased output to 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The initial batch of 2015 Escalades came with a six-speed automatic transmission, but any 2015 models built after October 2014 were given an eight-speed automatic.
• Another engine option came from Hennessey Performance Engineering, offering an HPE550 supercharger on fourth-generation Escalades. With an air-to-water intercooler, recalibrated engine management software, and the belt-driven supercharger, the 6.2-liter Escalade engine’s output was boosted to 557 horsepower and 542 lb.-ft. of torque.
• RWD was standard for the 2015 Escalade while AWD was still available for those who wanted it. The most fuel-efficient version was the RWD model with the eight-speed transmission. It delivered 22 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city. The AWD version wasn’t that far behind, achieving 21 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city.

• The 2015 Cadillac Escalade expanded to four trims: the Base, Luxury, Premium, and Platinum. A new batch of safety features were included across the 2015 lineup. Those features included automatic LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and auto-dimming, power-folding mirrors. A blind-spot warning system, a lane-departure warning, a rear cross-traffic alert, reverse collision mitigation with automatic braking were some of the added driver assists on the Luxury, Premium, and Platinum trims.
• Tri-zone automatic climate control, a hands-free power liftgate, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats with memory settings, a rearview camera, a 16-speaker Bose stereo system, a CD player, HD radio, satellite radio, and five USB ports were all standard as well.
• Headroom was increased on the 2015 Escalade, but it came at a cost. Cargo space went from 109.8 inches in the 2014 Escalade to 94.2 inches in the 2015 base model. The ESV lost 17 inches as well. Meanwhile, front-row legroom was increased, but third-row passengers lost just under an inch of space.
• The top-tiered 2015 Cadillac Escalade Platinum was given 14-way powered front seats, massaging front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a rear-seat entertainment system compatible with Blu-ray. 

• The only notable change for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade was how the infotainment is displayed and the addition of two driver assists: a front-view camera and lane-departure intervention.
• Even more updates were put into the 2017 Cadillac Escalade. First, the trim levels were renamed and reordered as the Base trim, the Luxury, the Premium Luxury, and the Platinum.
• Four years into its fourth generation, the 2018 Cadillac Escalade was given a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the eight-speed automatic from previous model years.
• Cadillac offered a new color and appearance package on the 2020 Cadillac Escalade. It also eliminated the dual screens that were part of rear entertainment system.

5th Generation Cadillac Escalade (2021-Current) 

• The arrival of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade expanded the lineup even further. It introduced new trims, eliminated one of them, and renamed some, too. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade lineup consisted of the base Luxury trim, the Premium Luxury, the Sport, the Premium Luxury Platinum, and the Sport Platinum. The Luxury started at $77,790 while the Sport Platinum had a sticker price of $102,190.
• The Luxury, now the base trim, started off with a 16.9-inch infotainment screen across the dash, a 14.2-inch instrument cluster, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also integrated into the 2021 Escalade. On the other end of the trim level spectrum, the 2021 Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum had a 36-speaker AKG audio system!
• A fully redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade was built on a GMT1XX platform. Like previous versions of the Escalade, the 2021 model shared its platform with the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevy Suburban, and GMC Yukon XL.
• Cadillac kept the same 6.2-liter V8, which made the same 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque with the same 10-speed automatic transmission. RWD was standard and FWD was optional.

• However, there was a newly available turbocharged diesel 3.0-liter V6 as well. That engine also mated to the 10-speed automatic, making 227 horsepower with 460 lb.-ft. of torque.
• Mechanically, the biggest change was an independent rear suspension, which helped cushion the ride for passengers.
• Able to handle 8,200 lbs. when equipped properly, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade did offer a trailer hitch assist and trailer brake control on the Premium Luxury trim.
• The new Cadillac Escalade Sport trim has all of the Performance Package features along with some extra flare in the form of a sportier exterior styling. The Sport Platinum mirrors the Premium Luxury Platinum trim, but the gloss-black trim and special wheels help it stand out from the rest of the trim levels.

• The 2021 Escalade ESV was supposed to be imported to China, a first for the SUV, but those plans were canceled in February 2021 when GM considered the costs of assembling the SUVs and complying with Chinese emission standards.
• The 2021 Escalade was a hit, regardless. After steadily climbing in sales in 2018 and 2019, Cadillac produced and sold 40,505 2021 models. That was the highest number since 2006.
• Cadillac mostly focused on safety additions for the 2022 Escalade. The Luxury trim was given standard forward collision mitigation, a lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, and front and rear parking sensors. Higher trims also received some updated driver assists, like rear automatic braking, and an automated parking system.
• We put the 2022 Cadillac Escalade up against the BMW X7 in a head-to-head comparison. I won’t spoil it for you, but there was one clear winner in that review.

• The trim lineup continued to grow with the arrival of the Escalade-V on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. This was a high-performance Escalade with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 capable of putting out 682 horsepower and 653 lb.-ft. of torque. That got this Escalade from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds! The “V” in the name comes from the Cadillac V-Series name that was first introduced on high-performance Cadillacs in 2003.
• The 2024 Cadillac Escalade is fresh out of production and has a couple of new updates. There’s an available 20th Anniversary V-Series Package that includes a special grille header graphic, logos on the interior, and logos on a puddle lamp projection.
• The other minor update is Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system being a new standard feature on almost every trim.

2021 Cadillac Escalade – media.gm.com |  Shop Cadillac Escalade on Carsforsale.com

• 10 years after eliminating the Escalade Hybrid from the family, Cadillac announced the battery-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ. Production is slated to begin in the summer of 2024 with the SUV arriving as a 2025 model. The battery being used has a storage capacity of over 200 kW-hr. That equates to a driving range of about 450 miles.
• The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ will charge using an 800 V DC source at a rate of 350 kW. An AWD version of the IQ will make 680 horsepower and 615 lb.-ft. of torque. The Velocity Max version ups those numbers to 750 horsepower and 785 lb.-ft. of torque.
• The new generation of the Escalade is probably several years down the road still, but Cadillac has shown that it’s not afraid to experiment with the juggernaut that is the Escalade. Even if those experiments (the EXT, for example) don’t pan out, Cadillac is still willing to experiment. The IQ is another example of that.
• While the original Escalade became the brand’s most recognizable vehicle, we may see additional offshoots of the Escalade as Cadillac keeps refining and evolving this long-lasting SUV.

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