2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV towing capacity
Max tow rating
8,100lb
- 2WD, 6.2L 8cyl.
- Base trim: 8,100 lb.
- Top 10% of 120 SUVs (2020).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,400 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 8,100 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,480 lb
- Margin
- 1,700 lb (21%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- Curb weight not listed
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 10-14 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 8,100 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,480 lb
- Hitch class at max
- IV, up to 10,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Yes |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Yes |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,480 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,480 lb |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 8,100 lb: 2WD, $78,195.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 2WD | 8,100 lb | 1,440 lb to 1,811 lb | 7,300 lb | 5,489 lb to 6,041 lb | $78,195 |
| Luxury RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,100 lb | 1,811 lb | 7,300 lb | 5,489 lb to 6,041 lb | $83,795 |
| Premium Luxury RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,100 lb | 1,811 lb | 7,300 lb | 5,489 lb to 6,041 lb | $88,195 |
| Platinum RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,100 lb | 1,811 lb | 7,300 lb | 5,489 lb to 6,041 lb | $95,295 |
| 4WD | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,900 lb | 1,772 lb | 7,500 lb | 5,728 lb to 6,041 lb | $81,195 |
| Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,900 lb | 1,390 lb to 1,772 lb | 7,500 lb | 6,088 lb | $86,795 |
| Premium Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,900 lb | 1,390 lb to 1,772 lb | 7,500 lb | 6,088 lb | $91,195 |
| Platinum 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,900 lb | 1,390 lb to 1,772 lb | 7,500 lb | 6,088 lb | $98,295 |
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2012: 7,800 lb to 8,000 lb.
- Changed in 2015: 8,000 lb to 8,100 lb.
- Changed in 2019: 8,100 lb to 8,300 lb.
- Changed in 2020: 8,300 lb to 8,100 lb.
- Changed in 2021: 8,100 lb to 7,900 lb.
- Changed in 2023: 7,900 lb to 7,800 lb.
- Changed in 2025: 7,800 lb to 8,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade | 8,300 lb | 2WD | $75,195 |
| Lincoln Navigator | 8,300 lb | 4WD | $78,855 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV (this car) | 8,100 lb | 2WD | $78,195 |
| BMW X4 M | 4,400 lb | AWD | $73,400 |
| Audi e-tron | 4,000 lb | Premium Plus AWD | $77,400 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
- What can tow 7,500 lb? 47 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree