MoneyINC Logo
25+
Years of
Trust
13,000+
Articles
Written 
10M+
Annual 
Readers
300+
Global
Mentions

The 10 Best Cadillac Escalade Models of All-Time

Best Cadillac Escalade Models

Through the generations of its production, the Cadillac Escalade has had its ups and downs. The vehicle was designed to be a luxury SUV in a larger size with on and off-road capabilities, plenty of cargo space and ample leg and headroom for passengers.

New innovations in some of the various editions and models were well received by consumers and this enhanced sales and positive reviews for those examples. Not all were so well-liked, and some were given poor reviews by experts and drivers, but for the most part, it's been an American favorite in the full-size SUV lineup.

Here are the 10 best Cadillac Escalade models of all-time.

10. 2018 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.6//5

2018 Cadillac Escalade

The 2018 Escalade offered up to seven seats in a truck-based full-size SUV. You also had the option of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, magnetic ride control and adaptive suspension for comfort and performance, and a popular safety feature, the head-up display. It was available in regular and extended-length models.

9. 2010 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.6/5

2010 Cadillac Escalade

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade received an overall consumer rating of 4.6 out of 5. This model year was equipped with a 403 V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation which gave it plenty of power when needed for passing, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. An added safety feature was new side-impact airbags in the front seats. It was equipped with full-time available all-wheel drive and seated up to eight, according to cars.com.

8. 2005 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.7/5

2005 Cadillac Escalade

Coming in at ninth place is the 2005 Cadillac Escalade. This model was given a consumer rating of 4.7 out of 5. With a near-perfect score for reliability, consumers had a high confidence level in the 2004 Escalade.

It was available in a 6.0-liter engine which was a driver favorite, gaining 4.5 points and even more rave reviews for exterior styling and interior comfort. Consumers gave this model a 4.4 for being a good value for the cost, which was the lowest rating, but it was still well-above average indicating that most didn't mind paying a little more for a high-performance luxury SUV.

7. 2009 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating 4.7/5

2009 Cadillac Escalade

The 2009 Escalade came with an available Platinum package as an upgrade. The base model featured seating for eight with available full-time all-wheel drive. This vehicle has retained a high value in the decade that it's been in existence with a high-end value of $22,000.

Reliability was a hallmark feature of the vehicle in addition to its luxury interior and attractive exterior. It was every bit a luxury ride with a high-performance engine.

6. 2015 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.7/5

2015 Cadillac Escalade

The 2015 Escalade was well-received thanks to its redesign for the model year. SEV versions were available with a longer wheelbase as well as the regular editions. They were equipped with a standard CUE touch-sensitive entertainment system which was an enhanced luxury feature and the base model came with a 420 horsepower V8 engine for plenty of power. This SUV was available with rear or four-wheel drive.

5. 2014 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.8/5

2014 Cadillac Escalade

This full-size SUV seats up to 8 and it is loaded with interior comforts. The 2014 Escalade was powered by a 403 horsepower V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. It also featured two options for rear-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive. This luxury SUV was ideal for larger families or for those who enjoyed the option of converting passenger space into cargo space.

4. 2006 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.8/5

2006 Cadillac Escalade

this model offered an endless stream of power with its 6.0-liter V8 engine, matched with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Drivers gave it high marks for nimble handling, remarkably in a full-size SUV.

The seats were comfortable with seating for up to 8 and lots of cargo capacity. For its era, this SUV had a lot of new tech gadgets and a towing capacity between 7,400 to 8,100 lbs, depending on the version, with 345 horsepower. The only real drawback was the poor fuel economy of 17 to 18 mpg combined.

3. 2013 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.8/5

2013 Cadillac Escalade

Although there was no real improvement in the 14 mpg city and 18 hwy fuel efficiency, the 2013 Cadillac Escalade still got high marks. The 6.2-liter V8 engine provided 403 horsepower and it offered a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,300 lbs depending on the model. This year provided the options of the base model or upgrades to luxury, Premium or the Platinum Edition.

2. 1999 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating: 4.9/5

1999 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating 5

The Escalade for 2019 came out with the same 420 horsepower V8 engine, matched with a 10-speed automatic standard transmission. The new feature was a hands-free liftgate in the Sport Edition. It seated up to 8 and was available in a regular and long-wheelbase version, and was equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard fare. The was also a rearview camera mirror available as an option.

1. 2002 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating 5.0

2002 Cadillac Escalade Consumer rating 5.0

The 2002 Cadillac Escalade is the only model in history to receive a perfect 5/5 consumer rating. This unique version of the SUV offered the utility of a flatbed, in its EXT version to become a two in one vehicle for performing the functions of a truck or offering the family a luxury ride in an SUV.

And when we say it converted into a truck, we mean a heavy-duty one. It was equipped with a 6-liter 345 horsepower Vortec-V8 engine with full-time all-wheel drive, road sensing suspension, Stabili Trak control system and Park Assist.

You can also read:

Benjamin Smith

Written by Benjamin Smith

Benjamin Smith is one of the managing editors of Moneyinc. Ben's been focusing on the auto and motorcycle sector since 2005. He's written over 1000 articles in the space and continues to learn about it each day. His favorite car is "any Bugatti" and he's a die hard Harley Davidson fan.

Read more posts by Benjamin Smith

Related Articles

Stay ahead of the curve with our most recent guides and articles on , freshly curated by our diligent editorial team for your immediate perusal.
As featured on:

Wealth Insight!
Subscribe to our Exclusive Newsletter

Dive into the world of wealth and extravagance with Money Inc! Discover stock tips, businesses, luxury items, and travel experiences curated for the affluent observer.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram