Cadillac Escalade trim levels explained

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

The refreshed 2025 Cadillac Escalade comes in six trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum and V-Series. All but the V use a 420-hp 6.2L V8, while the V-Series gets a 682-hp supercharged V8. Launch MSRPs ran from $87,595 to $159,995 before destination; the longer ESV is offered alongside.

Current Escalade trim levels: 5th generation (2021–present)

Redesigned for 2021 with an independent rear suspension, a 3.0L Duramax diesel option and the high-performance Escalade-V added for 2023. The 2025 refresh brought a 55-inch curved display, standard Super Cruise on every trim, available 24-inch wheels and power doors, and dropped the diesel. The long-wheelbase ESV (134.1 vs 120.9 in.) offers 41.5 cu ft behind the third row vs 25.5. The electric Escalade IQ is a separate model. Prices below are 2025 launch MSRPs; 4WD added $3,000.[1][2][3][4][5]

Cadillac Escalade 5th generation (2021–present) trims in ladder order with 2025 model-year base MSRP (USD), engines and key standard equipment
Trim	Base MSRP (2025, USD)	Engines	Key standard equipment
Luxury	$87,5952WD, excl. $1,995 destination	6.2L V8 (std)	22-inch wheels, synthetic leather, heated front and outboard second-row seats and tri-zone climate 55-inch display, 19-speaker AKG audio and standard Super Cruise with a 3-year plan [1][2]
Premium Luxury	$96,7952WD, excl. $1,995 destination	6.2L V8 (std)	Adds Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, full-color head-up display, panoramic moonroof and real leather Heated and ventilated front seats and a distinct grille [1][2]
Sport	$97,3952WD, excl. $1,995 destination	6.2L V8 (std)	Premium Luxury content with black exterior accents and dark-finish wheels Magnetic Ride Control and head-up display standard [1][2]
Premium Luxury Platinum	$116,3952WD, excl. $1,995 destination	6.2L V8 (std)	Air Ride suspension, power open-and-close doors, Night Vision and illuminated grille surround Semi-aniline leather, massaging front seats, 36-speaker AKG audio and dual rear screens; Executive Second Row package available [1][2]
Sport Platinum	$116,8952WD, excl. $1,995 destination	6.2L V8 (std)	Platinum equipment with Sport-themed dark exterior trim 24-inch wheels and console refrigerator/freezer available [1][2]
V-Series	$159,9954WD standard, excl. $1,995 destination	6.2L supercharged V8, 682 hp / 653 lb-ft (std)	Introduced for 2023 at $149,990; standard 24-inch wheels and dedicated 4WD Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers, active sport exhaust and real carbon-fiber interior trim [1][2][6]

MSRP excludes destination unless noted. "—" means we could not confirm the price from a GM or press pricing source.

Previous Escalade trim levels: 4th generation (2015–2020)

Every fourth-generation Escalade and ESV used a 420-hp 6.2L V8, paired first with a 6-speed, then an 8-speed and, from 2018, a 10-speed automatic. Trims launched as Base, Luxury and Premium; Platinum returned for 2016 and the lineup was renamed Standard, Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum for 2017, with a Sport package added for 2019.[5]

Cadillac Escalade 4th generation (2015–2020) trims in ladder order, engines and key standard equipment
Trim	Base MSRP (USD)	Engines	Key standard equipment
Base / Standard	—	6.2L V8	Entry trim, called Standard from 2017 [5]
Luxury	—	6.2L V8	Mid-level trim; Sport package available from 2019 [5]
Premium / Premium Luxury	—	6.2L V8	Renamed Premium Luxury for 2017; Sport package available from 2019 [5]
Platinum	—	6.2L V8	Fully equipped top trim, reintroduced for 2016 [5]

MSRP excludes destination unless noted. "—" means we could not confirm the price from a GM or press pricing source.

2025 Escalade towing capacity by configuration

Cadillac-published maximum trailering figures from the 2025 Escalade/Escalade ESV specifications. Ratings for other configurations, including the V-Series, are lower; check the owner's manual for a specific vehicle.

2025 Cadillac Escalade maximum towing (lb) by configuration, GM-published
Configuration	Max towing (lb)	Notes
Escalade 6.2L V8 – 2WD	8,100[1]	Escalade maximum
Escalade ESV 6.2L V8 – 2WD	8,000[1]	ESV maximum

Ratings depend on engine, cab, bed, axle ratio, drivetrain and packages; the exact figure for one vehicle is in Cadillac’s official trailering guide.

Related Escalade research

See which trim and packages a Escalade was ordered with.

Trim names on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Cadillac Escalade VIN into the factory-ordered option codes (RPOs) on record — trim, engine, axle and the packages it was ordered with. $9.99, instant.

Cadillac build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the Cadillac Escalade trim levels?

The 2025 Escalade comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum and V-Series. Each is also offered as the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV.

What is the difference between Premium Luxury and Sport?

They share the same equipment, including Magnetic Ride Control, a head-up display and a panoramic moonroof. Sport swaps the chrome for black exterior accents and dark-finish wheels and cost $600 more at the 2025 launch.

What do the Platinum trims add?

Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum add Air Ride suspension, power-operated doors, Night Vision, massaging semi-aniline leather front seats, 36-speaker AKG audio and rear-seat screens.

Does the Escalade still offer a diesel?

No. The 3.0L Duramax diesel offered on the 2021–2024 Escalade was dropped with the 2025 refresh, leaving the 6.2L V8 and the V-Series' supercharged 6.2L.

What is the difference between the Escalade and Escalade ESV?

The ESV has a 134.1-inch wheelbase versus 120.9 inches, is about 15 inches longer and offers 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row versus 25.5. Trims and engines are the same.

How much can an Escalade tow?

Cadillac rates the 2025 Escalade at up to 8,100 lbs with the 6.2L V8 and 2WD, and the ESV at up to 8,000 lbs.

Sources

Prices and equipment are as published by Cadillac for the model year shown; trim content changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its window sticker or build sheet.

2025 Cadillac Escalade gets bold new styling inside and out (with specifications) — Cadillac Pressroom (General Motors)
Escalade Escalated: 2025 Cadillac Escalade Price Climbs $5,700 — Cars.com
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade Starts at $89,590 — Motor1
2025 Cadillac Escalade Pricing, Specs, and Release Date — CarGurus
Cadillac Escalade — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
GM's new Cadillac Escalade is the most expensive, powerful yet at $150,000 — CNBC

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.