First look: 2025 Cadillac Escalade adds EV style, 55-inch screen, power doors
Mark PhelanA handful of new features, including power opening and closing doors and a 55-inch display screen, will drive interest in the 2025 Cadillac Escalade when an updated version of the big luxury SUV goes on sale late this year or early in 2025.
The Escalade will also adopt some features and styling touches from Cadillac’s new electric vehicles.
Cadillac builds the Escalade in Arlington, Texas. Production of the regular and extended-wheelbase models of the 2025 Escalade will begin late this year.
Cadillac plans to build more of the Escalade’s two top models — the lavishly equipped Premium Luxury Platinum and 689-horsepower V-series.
Cadillac will announce prices later this year.
2025 Cadillac Escalade: Top new features
- Power-opening and closing doors
- 55-inch array of display and touch screens across dash board
- LED headlights and turn signals similar to upcoming electric Escalade IQ
- Lighted front Cadillac crest and grille surround on some models
- AKG audio with up to 40 speakers
- "Executive" second-row seat package
- 22- and 24-inch wheels
EV-style headlights and a 55-inch screen
The most noticeable new features are up front:
- Vertical LED headlights mounted low in the front
- Narrow horizontal turn signal LEDs high in the nose
- Lighted front Cadillac crest
- Available lighted grille surround
Inside, the 55-inch display screen stretches across the dash nearly from door to door. It includes a high-resolution gauge cluster, 35-inch touch screen for driver use and a 20-inch passenger-side touch screen that’s invisible to the driver but allows the passenger to control some functions or stream entertainment.
In addition to the touch screen, the infotainment controls include Google-powered connected voice recognition, navigation and more.
Another touch screen mounted just above the center console handles climate control. Physical dials, buttons and switches appear to be in short supply, though there’s a volume dial on the center console, near a multipurpose rotary controller that can be used as an alternative to the main touch screen.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as are charging pads.
The rear seat adds an executive seating package with stowable tray tables, 12.6-inch personal control screens, charging pads, massaging seats and headrest speakers.
AKG audio is standard, starting with a 19-speaker system and increasing to as many as 40 with executive seating.
The Escalade seats up to eight.
2025 Cadillac Escalade trim levels
- Luxury
- Premium Luxury
- Sport
- Sport Platinum
- Premium Luxury Platinum
- V-series
- Coming soon: Escalade IQ electric vehicle
Prices TBA
Power doors, smart doors
Power doors are standard on V-series and Platinum models. All four doors can be opened and closed at the touch of buttons on the command center touch screen and the doors themselves. The driver’s door can also be programmed to open automatically when the key fob approaches.
The doors can be set to three different widths of opening, and sensors will detect obstacles and stop the door before it makes contact.
Other key features:
- Super Cruise hands-free driving assistant is standard
- Night vision
- Full-color head-up display
- HD streaming
- Magnetic ride control
- Air suspension
Selected competitors
- Infiniti QX80
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lexus GX 560
- Mercedes-Benz GLS
Why get a 2025 Escalade?
Like all the best vehicles in Cadillac’s history, the Escalade is big, brash and stylish. From the long-wheelbase ESV’s 18.9-foot length to new vertical LED headlights and the 689-hp V-series’ supercharged V8 exhaust note, it’s unique, inside and out.
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.