2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV towing capacity
Max tow rating
7,900lb
- Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD, 6.2L 8cyl.
- Base trim: 7,400 lb.
- Top 11% of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,300 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 7,900 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,320 lb
- Margin
- 1,600 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 105% of 5,993 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 10-13 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 7,900 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,320 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 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 6,320 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,320 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 7,900 lb: Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD, $106,595.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,900 lb | 1,548 lb | 7,541 lb | 5,993 lb | $106,595 |
| Premium Luxury RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,600 lb | 2,125 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,475 lb to 6,111 lb | $86,195 |
| Sport RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,600 lb | 2,125 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,475 lb to 6,111 lb | $88,895 |
| Sport Platinum RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,600 lb | 2,125 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,475 lb to 6,111 lb | $103,595 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,600 lb | 2,125 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,475 lb to 6,111 lb | $103,595 |
| Luxury AWD | 6.2L | AWD | 7,400 lb | 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,683 lb to 6,111 lb | $82,195 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum AWD | 6.2L | AWD | 7,400 lb | 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,683 lb to 6,111 lb | $106,595 |
| Luxury 2WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 2WD | 7,600 lb to 8,100 lb | 1,636 lb to 2,125 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,785 lb | $79,195 |
| Premium Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,400 lb to 7,900 lb | 1,548 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,993 lb | $89,195 |
| Sport AWD | 6.2L 8cyl | AWD | 7,400 lb to 7,900 lb | 1,548 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,993 lb | $91,895 |
| Sport Platinum 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,400 lb to 7,900 lb | 1,548 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,993 lb | $106,595 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator | 8,300 lb | Reserve 4WD | $85,165 |
| Cadillac Escalade | 8,000 lb | Prem Luxury Platinum SUV 4D 4WD | $103,595 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV (this car) | 7,900 lb | Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD | $106,595 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 7,700 lb | GLS 450 4MATIC AWD | $76,000 |
| BMW X7 | 7,500 lb | M50i Dark Shadow Edition AWD | $119,495 |
| Maserati Levante | 5,952 lb | AWD | $74,490 |
| Tesla Model X | 5,000 lb | Long Range Plus AWD | $79,990 |
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