Cadillac’s strong-selling Escalade is preparing to enter a pivotal chapter in its storied history. The large luxury SUV has always been the brand’s best representation of luxury and technology but with electrification and the all-electric Escalade IQ entering the picture, the ICe-powered version of the Slade finds itself in a very interesting spot. Cadillac has stated in the past that the ICE version will continue to be a strong player in its sales plans, and the 2025 Cadillac Escalade delivers on this by channeling some of the IQ’s DNA but in a distinctive package.
IQ-inspired front end highlights Escalade refresh
The 2025 version of the Escalade carries over the same core shape from the 2024 model but the front fascia gets the same advanced lighting as the IQ with Cadillac also adding in other elements from the Lyriq and Celestiq including a standard light-up front crest and an illuminated grille surround though that latter item is reserved for the V-Series and Platinum. The rear lighting has also been tweaked but you’ll need to take a close look at all the details to see the changes back there.
In addition to the revised styling, Cadillac is also adding 24-inch wheels (the largest ever offered on the Slade) and three new exterior colors: Aegean Stone, Deep Sea Metallic, and Latte Metallic. Power open and close doors are also available too to help improve entry and exit from the SUV.
Screens dominate refreshed cabin
After you let the power-open doors do their thing and slip inside, you’ll find that things have drastically changed. The triple-decker OLED screen has been pitched and in its place is a new screen system. Like the OLED screen, this setup also uses multiple screens, but this time the driver gets a 35-inch display while the passenger gets a smaller 20-inch screen with the whole thing stretching from one end of the dashboard to the other for a total length of 55 inches pillar to pillar. The rear passengers are not left out either with second row passengers getting a pair of 12.6-inch personal screens for their use.
Move up to the V-model and you’ll get a cabin that’s adorned in authentic carbon fiber accents with the rest of the lineup also benefitting from higher quality materials and several new interior hues. Renaissance Red gets splashes of red accents faceted quilted and perforated leather seats and dark open pore wood veneer. Meanwhile, the Jet Black and Sheer Grey theme gets contrasting leather accents and seats with the high gloss wood trim getting linear accents in it from a marquetry technique that helps create layers of tones and colors. An ambient lighting system is also available and customers can choose from 126 different colors in two different zones.
“Escalade is about being bold, arriving with style, and making a statement. The 2025 Escalade continues the design story introduced in the 2021 Escalade, but with thoughtful and dramatic updates that showcase the best of what Cadillac has to offer,” said Vicente Beire, lead designer, 2025 Cadillac Escalade.
Diesel axed but performance is otherwise carried over
Performance for the 2025 model is largely carried over from the outgoing model with the V’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and the standard version’s naturally aspirated V8 all being carried over with the duo still making 682 and 420 hp respectively. The lone casualty is the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel which didn’t get carried over for the new model year. The diesel offered better fuel economy and more torque but slow sales sealed its fate. A 10-speed automatic will continue to be the lone transmission available. Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 helps sharpen up its handling manners while Super Cruise is now standard across the entire lineup.
When can I buy a 2025 Escalade?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade is slated to go on sale later this year. Cadillac didn’t reveal pricing for the 2025 model, but a base 2024 version starts at just over $112,000 so look for the pricing ladder to be bumped up slightly across the board for 2025. In addition, the model will also be sold alongside the IQ, and while Cadillac downplayed questions about the model potentially being a bridge into the IQ once Cadillac goes all-electric, look for that to eventually be the case.
That’s especially true if GM chooses to make a hybrid version of the Slade to go along with recent reports that suggest the company is expanding its presence in hybrids to compensate for slowing growth in EV sales as well as lukewarm demand from consumers.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.