Following up the electric Escalade IQ, the gas-powered versions get styling and tech updates as well.
While Chevrolet revealed the updated Tahoe and Suburban for the 2025 model year, we’ve been waiting for mid-cycle changes to filter their way through GM’s other full-size SUVs. On Wednesday, Cadillac released more details on the refreshed Escalade, including the first notable tweaks to the styling, technology and powertrains since the fifth-generation model first launched in 2021.
Fundamentally, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade doesn’t change too dramatically between the front and rear fascias for this new model year. At the front end, though, the most remarkable updates come with the larger grille, as well as the new vertical headlight design and thin daytime running lights that link the gas-powered SUV a bit closer to the Escalade IQ. Around back, Cadillac changed up the taillight design with a second small LED strip, added some trim above the license plate and repositioned the crest.
So far, so normal with any given automaker’s refresh. One other change on the styling front, though, comes down to the wheels. New 22-inch designs are on offer, but you can also spec the 2025 Cadillac Escalade with massive 24-inch wheels, marking the first time you can do that from the Arlington, Texas factory (not that the aftermarket didn’t already support massive wheels for the Escalade…but this cuts out the middle man).
Are you ready for 55 inches of screen on the dash?
In keeping with the host of new technology coming with the Escalade IQ, technology abounds on the gasoline versions as well. There’s a two-spoke steering wheel design inspired directly by the Escalade’s electric sibling as well as the $300,000 Celestiq, and this updated SUV switches back to a column shifter, ditching the console-mounted gear selector and skipping over the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon’s push-button affair (those SUVs are also going back to a column setup for 2025, as are most of GM’s crossover and SUV offerings). This time around, though, the column shifter is electronic, so instead of physically moving the column up or down toward whichever gear you want, you just nudge it in one direction or the other, or push a button on the end of the stalk to engage Park.
One word to encapsulate the 2025 Cadillac Escalade interior experience is screen, screen and screen. The current-gen Escalade already made a name for itself with 38 inches of OLED display spanning most of the dashboard. That is child’s play compared to this setup, though, which brings in 55 inches of diagonal screen space split into two segments: 35 inches for the driver’s side, and 20 inches for the passenger. On top of that, there’s another screen down the center stack (Cadillac calls it a “command center”) to adjust climate controls and other high-level functions. On the center console, since we don’t have to worry about a shift lever anymore, there are two dials to control the volume from the AKG stereo system and control the driver’s side screen menus.
Unlike GM’s newest electric models including the Escalade IQ, gas versions of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade do still have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Other interior highlights include up to a 40-speaker AKG system — again, not like the Escalade didn’t already pack enough speakers — eight-passenger seating with a power-folding third row, standard Super Cruise capability, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity and an Executive Second Row package that adds two more 12.6-inch displays for each second-row passenger, a rear command center screen, dual wireless charging pads, massaging seats and headrest speakers. Night vision display is available in the instrument cluster on certain trims, while a full-color head-up display comes standard.
Arguably the best technological touch for the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, though, are the power open and closing doors. No longer will you physically need to open any of the four doors, as you can ingress and egress the SUV with the touch of a button. Even better for the driver, though, is the ability to have the door automatically open as you approach the Escalade with the key fob in your pocket. That setting can be enabled through the infotainment system.
What’s staying and what’s not
Apart from the usual range of Sport and Luxury trims for the standard 2025 Cadillac Escalade, the V-Series is also sticking around with the refresh as well. That means you get two gasoline powertrain options: the 6.2-liter V8 we’ve known for many years now, packing the same 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque; and the Escalade V’s supercharged 6.2-liter “Blackwing” V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque. Both still mate up to a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Escalade-V also gets its own interior flourishes like unique perforated leather seats and carbon fiber trim elements.
Notice how I keep mentioning “gas-powered” versions of the Escalade? That’s a hint at what will not return for the 2025 model year. Sadly, the Escalade will not carry forward with the fuel efficient 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel, which also means fuel economy in the mid-to-upper-20 mpg range is no longer in reach. Cadillac cites low demand and it’s tough to dispute that, as I only ever saw the diesel operating among livery drivers, and the diesel doesn’t exactly fit the Escalade’s vibe as a large, powerful, luxurious SUV. To my mind, getting the Duramax is a smart decision for a long-range family hauler, but clearly most buyers in the general public aren’t especially bothered about the Escalade’s less-than-ideal fuel mileage.
When is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade coming?
For those who are interested, Cadillac says the updated Escalade will go into production at the Arlington plant later this year. As it happens, the Texas manufacturing plant, situated between Fort Worth and Dallas, is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024. Pricing is not available yet, but 2024 versions of the Escalade started off at $83,890 and rose to as much as $155,515 for the Escalade-V (those prices are for the short-wheelbase, non-ESV models).
That means we’ll probably see the new Escalade roll on in greater numbers in early 2025, at least in North America. Other markets like the Middle East will follow next year, and it’s likely we will have detailed pricing information this fall, or by early winter.
Now, we just need to see the changes for the 2025 GMC Yukon, and GM’s full-size SUV renovation will be complete.
