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2017 Cadillac Escalade

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Cadillac Escalade OEM Exterior Photo
Interior Profile
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OEM Exterior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2017 Base 4x2
most popular
Price:   -  From $73,395
2017 Base 4x4 Price:   -  From $76,395
2017 Luxury 4x2 Price:   -  From $78,395
2017 Luxury 4x4 Price:   -  From $81,395
2017 Premium Luxury 4x2 Price:   -  From $82,895
2017 Premium Luxury 4x4 Price:   -  From $85,895
2017 Platinum 4x2 Price:   -  From $92,195
2017 Platinum 4x4 Price:   -  From $95,195

Overview

Totally redesigned for the 2015 model year, Cadillac's flagship SUV continues to offer rugged opulence and unmatched stage presence. As much as any competitor, it’s a full-size SUV for folks who will be satisfied with nothing less. If recent demand is any indication, that’s exactly what plenty of buyers want. Despite the abundant dimensions of the regular Escalade, large families might prefer the extended-length Escalade ESV.

What's New for 2017

Two new technology options mark the 2017 season. The available rear camera mirror uses a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle, promising a field of vision four times as great as a regular rearview mirror. It also removes obstructions from your view, including passenger heads and rear pillars. A newly optional automated parking system uses ultrasonic sensors to locate a suitable parking spot, and then maneuvers the car into either a parallel and perpendicular space. The available 22-inch aluminum wheels have a new design. Trim levels have been renamed to Escalade, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum.

Cadillac Escalade

Choosing Your Cadillac Escalade

All Escalades contain a 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 that produces 460 pound-feet of torque, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-drive is standard, but most buyers opt for four-wheel drive. The Magnetic Ride Control system features Sport and Comfort modes. Fuel economy is estimated 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. With four-wheel drive, the highway estimate drops to 20 mpg. Both versions are rated at 17 mpg in combined driving. A 4WD Escalade can reach 60 mph in a hair under 6 seconds.

An enormous load of standard equipment leaves no doubt about the Escalade's luxury mission. Interiors offer seating for eight (or seven with no-cost second-row captain's chairs). Cabins are as indulgent as anyone would expect in a Cadillac of this repute. The third row folds completely into the floor at the touch of button. The CUE infotainment incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cargo volume behind the third row is 15.2 cubic feet, growing to 94.2 cubic feet with second and third rows folded.

Trim levels differ primarily in safety technology:

Cadillac Escalade

Base

Starting at $74,390, the “basic” Escalade lacks practically nothing in terms of luxury and convenience, except for a sunroof. Every example gets navigation, chrome wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, keyless access and ignition, tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, Bose surround-sound, and a surround-view camera system.

Cadillac Escalade

Luxury

Tacks on a batch of safety features such as an upgraded anti-theft system, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision alert, and lane change alert. The driver seat vibrates to alert you to potential hazards. You also get power-folding second-row seats and a sunroof.

Cadillac Escalade

Premium Luxury

Adds even more in the way of safety: adaptive cruise control, cornering lamps, and collision mitigation (front and rear) with automatic braking. A rear entertainment system with dual screens is also standard.

Cadillac Escalade

Platinum

Topping the line at $93,190, the Platinum Escalade gets unique 22-inch wheels, an extended Nappa leather interior with semi-aniline seating surfaces, two kinds of wood trim, and a third screen for the rear entertainment system. The center console holds a refrigerated compartment.

CarsDirect Tip

Luxury is baked into every Escalade, so you won't feel deprived in the least by selecting the “entry-level” model -- unless you absolutely must have a sunroof. Whether to upgrade depends mainly on your comfort level with piloting a vehicle of this size. The additional safety features are quite reassuring, especially in urban traffic.

Get your price on a Cadillac Escalade »

Cadillac Escalade
author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Ever since 1999, Cadillac’s top SUV has earned a reputation for audacious excess. The latest versions have eased up on brashness and bling, but there’s still nothing subtle about an Escalade. Structurally similar to a Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe, the Escalade retains traditional trucklike construction.

Pricing and Equipment

Starting at $74,590 (destination charge included), the Escalade comes in standard-length or extended (ESV) form. Four trim levels are available: base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum. Each contains a 6.2-liter direct-injected V8 that develops 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, working with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-drive is standard, but four-wheel drive is available for $3,000 additional. An extended-length ESV edition costs $3,000 more than a standard-wheelbase Escalade. Automatic parking assist is newly available.

An Escalade with Luxury trim includes:

  • Driver Awareness Package (forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic headlights)
  • Full LED lighting
  • Heated seats and mirrors
  • Leather upholstery with wood trim
  • Hands-free liftgate
  • Bose surround-sound
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • CUE infotainment with navigation
  • Magnetic Ride Control
  • 22-inch alloy wheels

Performance Pros

Cadillac Escalade
  • Strong V8 powertrain delivers surprisingly swift responses. Acceleration to 60 mph takes only about six seconds – a startling figure for a vehicle approaching three tons.
  • Smooth-shifting automatic transmission.
  • Standard Magnetic Ride Control yields ride quality that rivals the leaders in this vehicle class.
  • An Escalade can tow as much as 8,300 pounds with confidence.

Performance Cons

  • EPA-estimated fuel economy is as meager as 17 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving – an Escalade can hardly be called thrifty. Take its weight and performance into account, however, and that figure doesn’t sound quite so bad.
  • Nimble or sporty the Escalade is not. Its truck-based chassis can impede cornering ability, as well as ride quality – though the ride is generally quite pleasing.

Interior Pros

Cadillac Escalade
  • Front seats are heated and cooled, even in base trim, upholstered in leather that feels good and appears durable.
  • CUE infotainment operates like a tablet computer, with a 12.3-inch display, responding to voice, touch, or “swipe” gestures. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
  • Massive cargo space. Standard-length model has 15.2 cubic feet behind the third row, versus 39.3 for the ESV, which is 20 inches longer than the regular Escalade.
  • Plenty of sound insulation, along with Bose active noise cancellation, keeps the cabin quiet.

Interior Cons

  • Separate second-row seats are a bit narrow and not quite as fully padded as expected, which could impair comfort on a long trip.
  • Cargo floor is higher than in Escalade’s competitors – which might actually help loading/unloading of heavier items.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

In addition to voluminous, luxurious interiors, today’s Escalades are way more refined, tasteful, and swift-performing than any of their predecessors.

A new standard rearview “mirror” is actually a display screen, connected to a camera in the liftgate. Getting accustomed to it takes a bit of time, which some drivers might consider a less-pleasant surprise.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Cost. Considering the Escalade’s close physical relationship to a Chevrolet Tahoe, this Cadillac commands additional tens of thousands of dollars for fancier amenities and luxuries. In addition, NHTSA has given Escalade only a four-star rating overall and for frontal crash (five-star for side impact).

The Bottom Line

Even people who care little about cars often know that Escalade has long been a cultural icon, due to its flamboyant details and imposing presence. Few cars are as recognizable – or as sought-after by thieves. The Luxury trim should be a wise choice, because of its collection of active-safety features.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
6.2L V-8 / 420 HP / 460 ft.lbs.
Transmission
8-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
15 / 22 / 18 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7 / 8
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
6.2L V-8 / 420 HP / 460 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
15 / 22 / 18 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc / Brembo 4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Short And Long Arm
Rear Suspension
Rigid Axle Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank
26.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$100
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
94.2 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
172 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
203.9 "
Exterior Width
80.5 "
Exterior Height
74.4 "
Front Headroom
42.8 "
Rear Headroom
38.7 "
Front Legroom
45.3 "
Rear Legroom
39.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
64.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room
64.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
5,521 Lbs.
Wheel Base
116 "
Turning Radius
19.5 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
20.0 " Chrome Aluminum / 22.0 " Steel / 22.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Black Aluminum / 22.0 " Machined Aluminum / 22.0 " Silver Aluminum / 22.0 " Silver W/painted Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Chrome Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Tri-coat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote W/tilt Down Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored With 2 Front Tow Hook(s)
Grille Moldings
Chrome / Silver
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7 / 8
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
Bucket / 60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
16 Bose Surround Sound
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Power Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Automatic Park Assist 2 Automated
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Pass-key Iii+
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
72 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2017 Cadillac Escalade for Sale

1 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Cadillac
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Color: Radiant Silver Metallic
Price

$26,477

Mileage

106,980 mi

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Karplus Warehouse Inc. (23 mi)

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