2025 Cadillac Escalade: Upgraded Interior, Massive Screen
Despite Cadillac’s recent focus on electric vehicles, the brand hasn’t forgotten about the Escalade. Still a strong seller for the manufacturer, Cadillac is giving the jumbo SUV a major refresh for the 2025 model year.
Although it’s still the fifth-generation model, the Escalade is getting a bigger update than most mid-cycle refreshes yield, especially with the interior. But before we get into all that, let’s look at the updates on the outside first.
More Family Resemblance
The exterior of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade borrows many styling cues from the brand’s various electric vehicles like the Celestiq, Lyriq, and Escalade iQ. Up front, the biggest change are the headlights which are now vertical, falling in line with the rest of Cadillac’s lineup. The front crest is illuminated for all trims while higher trims also have an illuminated grille surround.
The rear of the Escalade sees the Cadillac crest moved to just under the rear window, centered between revised tail lamps. Other various trim details are new this year, as is the refreshed rear bumper design.
Massive 24-inch wheels are now available in three different designs while three new exterior colors join the fray. The Escalade can still be had in two lengths, with regular Escalade models measuring in at 211.9-inches (5,383 mm) in length, while the stretched ESV comes in at 227.0-inches (5,765 mm). The V Series lives on for the 2025 model year and is slightly longer due to different bumpers.
Big Screens, Big Tech
The biggest news inside the 2025 Cadillac Escalade is the 55-inch screen taken from the iQ. It runs the length of the dashboard behind a single panel of glass and comes standard on every trim level. It’s separated into two screen sections, with the right-most section being a touchscreen for the front passenger, like the system offered in Porsches. If this still isn’t enough screens for you, there’s also a command center touchscreen positioned further down on the center console.
There’s a new steering wheel design with capacitive haptic controls. The Escalade features a column mounted gear stalk and can be had in two new color themes: Renaissance Red or Sheer Grey. The massive 55-inch screen is flanked by a pair of AKG speakers which are part of the standard 19-speaker sound system. Those looking for a bit more audible pleaser can upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG system (40 speakers with executive second row thanks to the in-seat speakers).
Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is standard, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. Other options on the 2025 Cadillac Escalade includes 126 LED ambient lighting choices, night vision, and head-up display. Second row passengers can be spoiled with stowable tray tables, individual 12.6-inch-diagonal personal screens, a rear command center, dual wireless phone charging pads, massaging seats, and headrest speakers.
Perhaps the coolest feature, and peak laziness, are the optional auto-opening doors. When equipped, if the driver approaches the Escalade with the key in their pocket, the door will automatically power open. To close the door, the driver simply steps on the brake pedal. Although the auto-open door is only available for the driver, all four doors can still be power opened and closed through the command center. To ensure there’s no costly mishaps, the doors have sensors to prevent them from opening into the side of another vehicle in a tight parking lot.
Mechanically Unchanged
Under the skin not much has changed. The Escalade has an independent front and rear suspension, smoothed out thanks to magna ride 4.0. Standard is a 6.2-liter V8 still making 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The V Series also uses a 6.2-liter V8, but with an additional supercharger good for 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired to a10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade with be available in six trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, and V-Series. Expect it to go on sale later this year, assembled in Cadillac’s Arlington, Texas assembly plant.
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2025 Cadillac Escalade
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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