2025 Cadillac Escalade Goes All In on Dazzling Screens

Competes with: GMC Yukon, Infiniti QX80, Lincoln Navigator

Looks like: The Escalade IQ, but squared off and larger

Powertrains: 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 or 682-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine; 10-speed automatic transmission; rear- or four-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Late 2024 or early 2025

Good news for big screen fans: That huge 55-inch dashboard-width screen from the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ is coming to the regular gas-powered Escalade and high-performance Escalade-V. Cadillac’s hit luxury SUV gets a significant refresh for the 2025 model year that takes many cues from the brand’s swanky electric vehicles.

Related: 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Up Close: More Lyriq XL Than Escalade EV

Following the Electric Caddies’ Lead

Cadillac’s bestselling full-size SUV keeps its looming size and presence for its 2025 refresh, but while trim levels for the Escalade are unchanged from 2024 and the stretched Escalade ESV also returns for 2025, it now sports some styling cues from its smaller EV cousins. In front is a new vertically arranged lighting pattern with tech borrowed from the Escalade IQ; other design cues call back to the Lyriq and Celestiq EVs. An illuminated Cadillac crest is now standard, and the higher V-Series and Premium Luxury Platinum trims now feature an illuminated grille surround. Out back, thinner taillights frame nearly the full height of the rear hatch (as we expect Escalade taillights to do).

Those of us who remember the Escalade’s early days when 24-inch wheels were a flex will have to go bigger. The 2025 Escalade offers optional 24-inch rims, which are the largest ones ever offered on the SUV; 22-inch wheels are standard. Cadillac also offers three new colors: Aegean Stone, Latte Metallic and Deep Sea Metallic.

Another fun option offered on the new Escalade are four power open-and-close doors that operate with the press of a button; they’re standard on the Platinum and V-Series. A driver’s door that opens on approach with the key fob and closes with the press of the brake pedal is also available.

Big on Big Screens

Inside is another feature borrowed from the Escalade IQ: a curved 55-inch-wide display that stretches across nearly the whole dashboard. The display is technically two different displays under one seamless piece of glass: one 35-inch display combining the instrument cluster and central infotainment touchscreen, and one 20-inch passenger-side touchscreen that’s polarized to hide it from the driver’s view. A 5G Wi-Fi hot spot is offered through OnStar, and passenger infotainment options include high-definition streaming and web browser compatibility. The infotainment system also features voice controls and runs off of Cadillac parent GM’s Google-based operating system, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.

While buttons for some functions such as the volume knobs are on the center console, others are controlled by yet another control screen between the front seats, right above the console. The steering wheel also features some touch-sensitive controls for various car functions. Additionally, a full-color head-up display is standard on the Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum and V-Series trims.

A 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system comes standard, with a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system available. The Escalade’s dual-zone ambient interior lighting is also customizable with 126 colors to choose from. An optional second-row Executive Second Row Package ups the luxe factor with two massaging seats with head restraint speakers, two personal 12.6-inch screens, a real control panel and two wireless charging pads. Because of these extra head restraint speakers, adding the package brings the speaker count with the top-end audio system to 40. Behind the second row is a power-folding fold-flat third row, and you can spec a second-row bench seat to haul up to eight people.

The 2025 Escalade offers three new interior color schemes, as well. Renaissance Red features a leather interior with quilted, perforated seats and open-pore wood trim, and the Jet Black and Sheer Gray interior has contrasting leather with heather-gray fabric, high-gloss wood veneer trim and quilted, perforated seats. The third option is for the Escalade-V only, which features a Jet Black interior with a unique quilted and perforated seat pattern and carbon-fiber trim.

More From Cars.com:

• 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Quick Spin: The Rocketship With Room
• 2025 Cadillac Optiq Up Close: The Lyriq-Lite Looks Good
• All-Electric 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Gains New Equipment, Starts at $58,590
• 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Is Electric (Boogie Oogie Oogie)
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade: Putting the Navigator on Notice

Ditching the Diesel, Keeping the Rest

Two of the Escalade’s powertrain options carry over from 2024; the diesel engine has been dropped due to low demand. The regular Escalade features a 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8, and the Escalade-V has a 682-hp supercharged version of that engine. Both are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and rear- and four-wheel drive are available.

The Escalade rides on independent front and rear suspension with an adaptive air ride system to further smooth out road bumps. Higher trims also feature Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 system to further isolate the cabin from rough road surfaces.

Safety and Driver Assistance Tech

Most of the Escalade’s safety features carry over from the 2024 model. Cadillac also includes three years of OnStar connected and safety services, which includes connectivity for the brand’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

Super Cruise is standard on all 2025 Escalades. When asked how the new Escalade will ensure the driver doesn’t get too distracted with all of the screens inside, a Cadillac representative touted the system’s ability to detect a driver whose eyes are off the road for too long. Though we wish there were more physical, non-touch-sensitive controls inside, we’ll ultimately have to see how easy to use the new Escalade’s interior is when we drive it.

Pricing and Availability

Production of the 2025 Escalade starts in late 2024, with arrival at dealerships expected to happen shortly after in either late 2024 or early 2025. Pricing will be announced later in 2024.

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