Next-generation Cadillac Escalade.
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The current Cadillac Escalade debuted in 2020. Which has now obviously been 5 years. And a new one will be on its way but in a while.
The Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and their clones from GMC and Cadillac sell about 400,000 units a year. The Escalade alone had one of its best years ever in 2024 with almost 42,000 sold in 2024. These beasts are huge money-makers for GM. And they really don’t change that much from generation to generation. The big news for the current model was the switch to a rear-independent suspension. Finally. Otherwise, yes, they do look a bit different, but not that much really. The bigger improvements always seem to be with their interiors.
Apparently, the current platform will be in production until 2028. After this, the Texas factory will switch to a new platform altogether in 2029.
The next generation is also rumored to keep ICE powertrains. However, GM could add some hybrid systems. I mean by 2030, gas-only powertrains will be pretty eccentric. However, unlike the Chevrolet and GMC modes, the Escalade is also available as an EV. Even if the Escalade IQ is based on a totally different Ultium EV platform. I have not heard yet of a Tahoe EV coming out any time soon…
The first-generation Escalade was mostly a loaded Tahoe with a different front end. Over the years, GM has tried harder to make their more expensive Cadillac model look different from their cheaper Chevrolet and GMC trucks.
I have been test-driving these for a few generations and as I previously mentioned they barely feel different from one generation to the next. Gas mileage isn’t really improving much either. It always seems to be 15city and 20 why. if you’re lucky. ( I was never able to get 15 around town). However, the available Diesel is amazing and improves these terrible numbers by a lot.
Still, this is 2025, and there are better ways to improve gas mileage than using diesel fuel…
I am pretty sure that 3 or 4 years from now, the next-generation Chevrolet/GMC/Cadillac full-size trucks won’t look that different from now. As the illustration above shows. They probably go on until more and more buyers get tired of paying for so much gas.
This is an illustration showing what a more modern Cadillac Escalade IQ could have looked like. I saw one driving around a couple of days ago, and the production model just looks like a huge missed opportunity.
I guess the goal was to have the EV model look as close to the regular Escalade as possible. In that case, they succeeded…
One could have written this story two generations ago. People like the Slade as is. Why mess with it and turn people off with weird styling?
I do think that top image may be close though. Interesting they are keeping the platform around another four years. Expect another mid market change for the triplets.