There’s something to be said about the Cadillac Escalade being the definition of a large body-on-frame luxury SUV that essentially started such a segment alongside the Lincoln Navigator when it was first introduced in the late 1990s. Today, that formula has found a new footing deep into what luxury buyers seek in the upper echelon of automotive luxury without much compromise. General Motors manages to keep some defined separation from its large SUV offerings, leaving the best for the Escalade at a somewhat justifiable premium price. Fundamentally, with the introduction of the refreshed 2025 Escalade, Cadillac doesn’t compromise in my view where there are plentiful offerings where the Escalade encroaches on the territory of brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and that’s all a good thing that I, among other luxury seekers, welcome with wide open arms.

The new 2025 Cadillac Escalade has been updated extensively but continues its fifth generation, which was first introduced in 2021. Outside, the Escalade gets a reworked front to place the headlights lower off to the side but still signifying the new Cadillac look and massive grille encasing a large border-LED-lit Caddy emblem. There’s also a new list of exterior colors, including my test vehicle’s stunning Deep Sea Metallic paint.

Inside is where you’ll find most of the updates, which all play into elevating the luxury standing of the Escalade. Those updates for the 2025 model year go the distance to make the Escalade more of a world-class luxury vehicle, which starts with a new infotainment setup and interface that encompasses 55 inches of screen real estate, nearly spanning the width of the vehicle. Moreover, there’s a new way of interacting with essential vehicle controls with a waterfall-type center touchscreen with haptic feedback and then ending with a new central control knob and a set of buttons for redundancy in controlling the new infotainment setup. Of course, you have wireless (or USB-connected) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which doesn’t override the ability to still utilize the built-in Google and Alexa functions when your smartphone is paired.

There’s still an OLED touchscreen, but it is now a far reach due to the curved design of the massive widescreen setup that flows into a separate front passenger touchscreen offering entertainment and streaming functions (YouTube, Hulu, web browser, etc.). The essentials of the infotainment system from last year remain in place but are enhanced through more screens. Moreover, there’s a plethora of new functions to enhance the vehicle for additional features this year, both for luxury comfort and safety. I do like how Cadillac chose to keep the traditional heated and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with its large two openings instead of going the way Lincoln’s setup, which is situated below the large screen. The tactile, haptic buttons of the steering wheel are nicely done, as is the simplified graphics of the driver’s gauge cluster area of the large screen – it all fits nicely to view through the upper opening of the steering wheel – the way I think it should be. There’s also a new luxury feel for many of the points that you touch, such as the climate vents having a tactile feel from their central position along with each vent’s airflow adjuster. The only drawback I find in the interior space is the use of hard plastics for the lower portion of the door trim, something I find takes away from what is otherwise a very plush and luxurious interior.

For the first time, the Escalade finally offers a second-row seating option that combines heating, ventilation, massage functions, a wireless phone charger, fold-out tray tables, and a full array of power seat adjustments, which can be had in an optional $7,500 executive second-row seating package found on my loaded-up Sport Platinum trimmed test vehicle. Opting for the executive second-row seating package also gives you a remarkably sounding 40-speaker AKG sound system, which is one of the best-sounding setups around for such a vehicle. There’s also the rarity of fully powered opening and closing doors, something that you normally find only on Rolls-Royce vehicles or the new BMW 7 Series. The doors are also power-assisted when you manually open them, in addition to resting the door at virtually any spot in its opening range. The Escalade can finally treat its second-row passengers to the lap of luxury, something that I’ve always mentioned was missing from a formula with so much potential. One thing I wish Cadillac would do for its first and second-row massaging seat functions is to make the seat bottom massaging and not just the back area. Such an omission feels like a disservice to the comfort of the seats, which would help alleviate fatigue on long trips for your bottom. Also, one thing to note about access to the third-row of seats is you may have a hard time getting past the executive second-row seats as they do not move forward much, one of the downfalls of opting for such seats over the standard second-row setup.

Still powered by the formidable 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Escalade remains a decent performer with a ride quality that’s accentuated by subtle updates to its remarkable magnetic ride control and air ride adaptive suspension setup. Such a system exudes a smooth and supple ride quality that limits road impact harshness from reaching the cabin. Even with the large-and-in-charge stylish 24-inch wheels wrapped with quiet all-season Bridgestone Alenza tires on my test vehicle, the ride quality remained excellent for such a large body-on-frame SUV and kept its composure even when pushed a little hard. In a straight line, the new Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD hits 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. If you need something quicker, you can opt for the Escalade V with its substantial 682 horsepower and 652 lb-ft of torque.

The programming of the magnetic ride control is the best it has ever been and coupled with the air suspension; there are adjustments made on the fly to keep things level and mostly balanced. Of course, as you expect, pushing such a large and top-heavy vehicle rather hard through curves will give you some pause as the stability control steps in softly to keep you from filing a new insurance claim. Overall, the body jiggle going over large road imperfections is kept to a minimum, and the Escalade finds itself on my list as the best-riding SUV in its class. Though, you’ll pay dearly at the pump as the Escalade isn’t shy about being a slight gas guzzler with its EPA estimates at 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. I was able to get up to 19.2 mpg on the interstate, traveling a couple of hundred miles at a steady 78 mph. Fortunately, you get a decently sized 24-gallon fuel tank, giving you a highway cruising range of about 432 miles. Still, you have to contend with toting around just over 6,000 pounds, and that’s going to cost a bit in fuel mileage.

In the area of safety, the Cadillac Escalade brings all the expected active safety features to the table, including the highly praised SuperCruise hands-free driving system, which I found to be quite adaptable on my trip across I-10 for a couple hundred miles. Cadillac advances its safety proposition with a new camera system to display the blind spot upon signaling. The live camera video of the blind spot can be viewed in the center portion of the screen, which takes a little while to get used to but eventually becomes second nature to ensure your blind spot area is clear upon switching lanes. Of course, there’s the typical 360-degree camera system, blind spot monitor system, and lane keeping assist that both vibrate the driver’s seat when it needs to warn you, as does the other active safety functions like forward collision warning/emergency braking, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and side collision warning. There’s also the availability of night vision with pedestrian detection along with the augmented reality display to overlay navigation signals and arrows.

In the past few years, it has become apparent that Cadillac is on a quest to elevate its luxury standing in the automotive industry, and they seemingly mean business when you look at the new 2025 Escalade. At the as-tested price of my loaded-up Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD landing at $132,515, some may balk initially, but you must consider the collective of its parts in offering a newfound level of luxury never seen by Cadillac. I, for one, think the new Escalade is worth the price of admission, considering the next best thing may only be found in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan or Bentley Bentayga that costs at least two times as much and doesn’t offer the size of Caddy’s big SUV. Even when comparing the newly refreshed Lincoln Navigator, the Escalade seems to have a slight edge, which you will pay a little extra for, but eventually feels as if it is worth it. Still, those looking to save some cash can still get away with being well under 6-figures for a new Escalade, starting at $88,100 for the base Luxury trim before any options or fees.