Cadillac is entering Formula 1 this year, competing against established luxury brands like Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Ferrari while promoting its V-series performance line. After spending time with the Escalade-V, it’s clear Cadillac is serious about performance credentials, even for its trucks.
Updates and Pricing
The Escalade lineup received several updates for 2025, including a restyled front end with vertically stacked headlights and a new interior featuring a 55-inch widescreen display that combines the infotainment system and instrument cluster. These changes carry over to 2026, and the Escalade-V now starts at $170,595, which is a significant increase from its $150,000 launch price in 2023. An extended-wheelbase Escalade-V ESV is available for an additional $3,000.
This price jump, now heading into its fourth model year, suggests strong demand. Finding one at MSRP is difficult, with dealer markups being common. It’s remarkable that Cadillac now has a regular production truck exceeding $170,000, especially considering the Escalade is the brand’s best-selling model. The only more expensive Cadillac is the $400,000 Celestiq electric car.
Powertrain and Performance
The Escalade-V exists primarily to house its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, rated at 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. A similar engine in the CT5-V Blackwing sedan produces 668 hp and 659 lb-ft. Power routes through a 10-speed automatic transmission to an all-wheel-drive system. It’s not a traditional 4×4 setup and doesn’t have a two-speed transfer case. It does have limited-slip differential suited for performance driving and towing at its 7,200-pound limit, which must feel effortless with the Blackwing, but I didn’t have the opportunity to try.
The suspension features specially tuned air springs that adjust across four different height settings and computer-controlled Magnetic Ride dampers. A notable change from the original launch is that the Escalade-V now rides on 24-inch wheels with ultra-thin 40-series tires, up from the original 22-inch setup.
The V mode lowers the ride height, firms up the dampers, and maximizes throttle response and exhaust volume. Using launch control, the Escalade-V achieves 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, which is performance comparable to a Chevrolet Camaro SS, despite it weighing three-and-a-quarter tons.
The exhaust crackles and pops are from unburnt fuel igniting in the exhaust system, which seems appropriate in a vehicle with an EPA combined rating of just 13 mpg. However, buyers spending $170,000 likely aren’t concerned about a few extra drops of wasted premium.
Handling and Ride Quality
The acceleration is thrilling, but the vehicle’s size and weight become apparent on twisty roads. The height limits what the lowered suspension can achieve, and braking requires planning, despite the six-piston Brembo front calipers clamping massive discs.
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What’s most surprising is the ride quality. The huge wheels and thin tires suggested a harsh ride, but even on poor pavement, the Escalade-V matches the comfort of top luxury cars. It’s an impressive feat for a body-on-frame truck, albeit one with fully independent suspension. Perhaps we should call this truxury?
Interior and Features
The interior showcases carbon fiber trim and leather throughout, with a microfiber suede headliner. There is a 42-speaker AKG audio system, but the necessity of that many speakers is questionable with that exhaust.
The $7,500 executive seating package is the standout option, providing heated, ventilated, and massaging rear seats with power adjustments; a center console with wireless charging; and a touchscreen controller. Business-class airplane-style tray tables deploy for work or dining. The front passenger also gets an entertainment screen with privacy filtering that prevents the driver from viewing it while in motion.
Power-assisted doors open with a swipe of the interior screen and can be set to close automatically when the brake pedal is pressed to start the vehicle. Standard equipment includes a 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror.
The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Google Built-In for loading apps directly into the vehicle.
Utility and Technology
Despite its luxury focus, the Escalade-V maintains practical utility with a split tailgate window and substantial cargo space behind the third row.
Advanced features include a front camera for bypassing the large hood with augmented reality navigation; a night vision system using infrared to detect vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and animals; and Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system. Super Cruise operates on hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, allowing hands-off, feet-off driving as long as a camera confirms the driver is watching the road. The system can even negotiate certain highway interchanges when navigation is active..
Where It Stands
The Escalade-V occupies a unique position in the market. Lincoln doesn’t offer a comparable Navigator, and Jeep doesn’t make a Grand Wagoneer in this performance category. While other large luxury SUVs exist with substantial power, none match this combination of size and performance.
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Interestingly, its closest competitor may be Cadillac’s own electric Escalade IQ, which starts at $160,000, is rated at 680 hp (750 ho in velocity max mode for short bursts) and achieves 0-60 in 4.7 seconds despite weighing over 9,000 pounds. It’s worth noting that just a few years ago, Cadillac planned to go all-electric and discontinue vehicles like the Escalade-V. The pricing structure suggests those plans have changed.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V is an exercise in excess. A three-ton luxury SUV with supercar performance that somehow maintains exceptional ride quality. While the concept of a $170,000 performance truck SUV may seem absurd, strong demand and dealer markups indicate a healthy market. The Escalade-V succeeds because it offers something you can’t get anywhere else, but would be hard to beat if you could.
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