2025 CADILLAC ESCALADE

ESCALADE GETS MID-CYCLE REFRESHING
AFTER PASSING QUARTER-CENTURY MARK

For just over a quarter of a century the Cadillac Escalade has enjoyed an elite status in the rap music community, a symbol of glitz and glamour that boldly flaunts an air of success in hip hop culture.

But more than just rap stars are buying the Escalade as evidenced by recent sales results. Cadillac reported a jump of nearly 39 percent in Escalade sales in the first quarter of 2025 with 12,683 sold from January through March compared to 9,135 in a similar stretch a year earlier.

Confirming data isn’t available, but I’m thinking it’s a safe bet there aren’t over 12,000 rappers in the world, at least successful ones that can meet a price tag that can easily venture into six figures.

In its fifth generation, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade gets a mid-cycle refreshing that includes an illuminated bigger grille, revised taillights, new colors, an expanded 55-inch curved display with updated infotainment features, standard Super Cruise hands-free driving, and more safety features.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade is offered as an all-electric vehicle, the Escalade IQ, and in a larger version, the Escalade ESV, but this review is based on the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum edition with all-wheel drive and powered by beefy 6.2-liter V8 engine.

Luxury, Premium Luxury, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport models get the same 420 horsepower V8 that puys out 460 pound-feet of torque and the Escalade-V gets a supercharged V8 that boosts power numbers to 682 and 653, respectively.

All engines are matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum AWD is a thirsty beast with fuel economy figures of 14 miles-per-gallon city,  18 miles highway, and 16 combined. Escalades with 2-wheel drive add a mile to each number.

All Escalades have three-row seating with capacity at seven or eight passengers depending on the second-row configuration (captain’s chairs or bench seating). The V-Series comes with standard all-wheel drive, which is optional on other trims.

The inside of my test 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum was spacious (44.5 inches of legroom in the first row, 41.7 in the second, and 34.9 in the far back) and packed with all kinds of standard goodies.

They included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 40-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, power assist open and close doors, power panoramic sunroof, semi-Aniline seating surfaces for all three rows, a sueded microfiber headliner, hands-free power liftgate, a massage function for the front seats, adaptive cruise control, tri-zone climate control, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Also included in the $119.895 starting MSRP are safety systems like night vision, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic breaking, HD surround vision, forward collision alert, and rear pedestrian alert.

My test 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum added an Executive Second Row Seating Package (heated and ventilated, seats, Captain’s chairs, a console, power massage for the second row),  24-inch wheels, a refrigerator for the front console, and Deep Seat Metallic exterior paint.

That ran the final tab to $132,515 including the $1,995 destination and delivery charge. The base Luxury trim starts at just under $90,000 and the Sport and Premium Luxury models keep pricing in five figures (though barely) and the Escalade-V starts in the $160,000 bracket. 

What I liked about the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum: It’s a great cruiser on expressways. Super Cruise (hands-free driving) is standard with a 3-year subscription. The V8 engine packs plenty of punch. Lots of room for both passengers and their stuff (25.5 cubic feet of cargo space) for traveling. Retractable running boards ease getting in and out. Doors secure automatically if not closed properly.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum:   The size is overwhelming. It can be frustrating looking for parking spaces in crowded mall lots or just driving in close quarters. The V8 engine is definitely on the thirsty side.

Would I buy the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum: Far too big for my taste and needs, but if a domestic large luxury SUV is on your list, your choices are limited.