Automotive literature is a funny place where all-new is supposed to convey much less than simply saying new. A decade ago, I found it difficult to comprehend, but like most marketing lingo that trickles into common vocabulary with its acquired shade of meaning, all-new has persisted. However, I’ve been cautious in its usage all along – call me a stickler, I’ll nod with a smile. Thankfully, the Cadillac Escalade 2025 is almost all-new if you look past the familiar 8-cylinder turbine and the luxury that comes as standard.
Let me give the familiar favourites a moment in the spotlight first. The 6.2L V8 VVT direct injection engine with dynamic fuel management still delivers 420 hp and 624 Nm of torque through the Hydra-matic 10-speed automatic transmission and claims an impressive 9.1km per litre of petrol. (Dynamic fuel management refers to the technology that can switch off half the cylinders when not required, thus saving on fuel.) Having enjoyed the pure pleasure of this engine during the current generation launch a couple of years ago, I settled into the Cadillac Escalade V-series with its supercharged version of the V8 spitting fire to record 682 hp and 885 Nm of torque that compels you to engage the V mode simply to be overwhelmed by the sound of motion. And in case you are in a residential neighborhood, you can switch to stealth mode, like a battle submarine taking a dip. Or you can simply step on it to leave that place behind. At 0 – 100 kmph in 4.6 sec, that shouldn’t take long!
Escalated comforts
If there is a serious contender to the awesomeness of the V8 sound, it is right here in this Escalade cabin. The 36-speaker AKG music system with speakers planted everywhere from the A-pillar to the front headrests, with two flanking the wide dashboard screen.
Cadillac Escalade 2025 continues to offer elevated luxury with its available Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and standard Magnetic Ride Control, both of which respond to the nature of terrain and quality of the road to continuously adjust the suspension settings so as to ensure a cocooned ride all along. The drive assistance included an indicator-triggered camera that displayed the blind spot area on screen. More tech-based convenience in the cabin includes the Google Assistance which after a couple of trials, affirmatively responded to my request “Hey Google! Navigate to Villa Escalade.”
And now, what’s new!
A mid-generation facelift usually shows up in the grille and the lights but Cadillac Escalade 2025 offers more to grab your attention. The grille of course bears the unwavering character but is nevertheless new. The typical Cadillac vertical headlamps that changed orientation at the start of this generation are now back to their longstanding ‘long and standing’ design. The horizontal space is still filled by an LED strip. New for 2025 are perimeter lights around the logo and the grille itself – they move around for a nice, dynamic touch. Remarkable changes in the exterior include stupendous 24” wheels – standard in the V and available in the Platinum trim – as well as new sportier exhaust tips.
Once you touch the concealed door handle, the car welcomes you by opening the front doors for you, without your moving a muscle. Depressing the brake pedal will close it automatically too. The best part is that the sensors will prevent it from banging into someone or something standing in the way – that’s probably better than what you often manage to do!
Remarkable cabin tech and design
38” was a fairly big number when the fifth generation Cadillac Escalade was launched in 2021 and it referred to the total screen space on the dashboard. Well, whoever thought they would outdo themselves by half – with a curved 55” space distributed from pillar to pillar among the driver information screen, central multimedia screen and a dedicated front passenger screen! Perfect for the navigation to guide you with real-time directions using augmented reality tech, where a camera captures the road ahead and graphics mark the directions unmistakably.
The screens are also perfect for enjoying videos but the driver gets to see only a dark screen once the car is in motion. The end-to-end screen display isn’t the whole story. There is an 8” screen at the start of the central console which houses the command centre to set seat massage function, door open settings and some safety features.
Design details in the Escalade 2025 are meticulously finished. The new carbon fibre trims in the Escalade V are like nothing seen so far – smooth, glossy and luxurious! The rims of the cupholders are finished in a manner that seems like a throwback to the wreath in the old Cadillac logo.
Don’t miss out on seeing these changes and enjoying the drive with me – head straight to the video window. I will fill in more on the new Escalade 2025 once I take it for a full test drive.
The price and availability
New exterior colour: Aegean Stone
New interior colours: Renaissance Red and Sheery grey
Availability: Booking is on now. Sales expected to begin in February 2025.
Cadillac Escalade 2025 price range:
Premium Luxury: MSRP starting from AED 435,600 with VAT
Sport: MSRP starting from AED 445,600 with VAT
Premium Luxury Platinum: MSRP starting from AED 510,600 with VAT
Sport Platinum: MSRP starting from AED 520,600 with VAT
V-Series: MSRP starting from AED 625,600 with VAT
