Cadillac made its debut 2025 Scale last month, but says the cultural icon is not expected to reach the top trader much until early next year. That gives buyers plenty of time to move money, now that we have prices. Every trim is more expensive than before, thanks to a heavy refresh for the midrange in the current third-generation SUV. We start with the amounts, after destination, and their differences from 2024:
- Luxury: $89,590 ($5,700)
- Premium Luxury: $98,790 ($3,600)
- Sport: $99,390 ($1,200)
- Premium Luxury Platinum: $118,390 ($5,700)
- Sports Platinum: $118,890 ($6,200)
- V-Series: $161,990 ($7,700)
Those are prices for the two-wheel-drive variants for every trim level except the V-Series, which comes only with AWD. Adding 4WD to the other trim levels is a $3,000 option. Cadillac didn’t mention the premium for the extended ESV version, but that’s another $3,000 for the 2024 model. The 2025 model year makes the Sport Platinum trim $500 more expensive than the Premium Luxury Platinum. Previously, the two trims were priced identically.
With the turbodiesel inline-six disappearing from the options list after 2024, every trim level except the V-Series will be powered exclusively by the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 making 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The V-Series turns that big gun into a forced-induction weapon, cranking out 682 hp and 653 lb-ft from a supercharged 6.2-liter.
So what are those extra dollars paying for? The new iQ-inspired interior. Standard on all Escalades is a new 55-inch “pillar-to-pillar” display that includes the instrument cluster and infotainment systems (35 and 20 inches, respectively) for both the driver and front passenger. Below that is the “Command Center” screen, which contains controls for requested functions such as your heating and cooling, seat controls, vehicle safety features and camera views. The massive touchscreen also comes with a redundant multifunction control knob (pictured above right) for those who prefer not to lean forward to interact with the big screen.
The automatic transmission shifter leaves the center console to make room for the Command Center and multifunction control interface. The shifter is now a column-mounted lever behind a new steering wheel. Other functions carried over from the i.q. include a new option for an automatic driver’s door, along with power (but not automatic) passenger doors, a 126-color LED ambient lighting system and the optional 40-speaker version of Cadillac’s premium AKG sound system.
The updated styling changes include an iQ-inspired signature light animation, 24-inch wheels and three new exterior colors. to colour in Aegean Stone (green-grey), Deep Sea Metallic (metallic blue) and Latte Metallic (light bronze). Inside, Renaissance Red and Sheer Grey join the palette, there’s an Executive Second Row Package that puts a command display on a centre console for the rear seats, with tables because you can’t eat without watching something, even in a car. And the V-Series can now be specified with a carbon fiber trim package.