2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV towing capacity
Max tow rating
7,800lb
- Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD, 6.2L 8cyl.
- Base trim: 7,500 lb.
- Top 12% of 151 SUVs (2023).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,200 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 7,800 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,240 lb
- Margin
- 1,600 lb (21%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 103% 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
- 7,800 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,240 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 6,240 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,240 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 7,800 lb: Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD, $111,595.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,548 lb | 7,541 lb | 5,993 lb | $111,595 |
| Luxury RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 7,500 lb | 1,636 lb to 2,097 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,785 lb | $82,295 |
| Premium Luxury RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,500 lb | 2,097 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,503 lb to 6,111 lb | $91,095 |
| Sport RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,500 lb | 2,097 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,503 lb to 6,111 lb | $94,095 |
| Sport Platinum RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,500 lb | 2,097 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,503 lb to 6,111 lb | $108,595 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,500 lb | 2,097 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,503 lb to 6,111 lb | $108,595 |
| Luxury 4WD | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,300 lb | 2,004 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,696 lb to 6,111 lb | $85,295 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum 4WD | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,300 lb | 2,004 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,696 lb to 6,111 lb | $111,595 |
| V-Series AWD | 6.2L 8cyl | AWD | 7,000 lb | 1,140 lb to 2,004 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,696 lb to 6,407 lb | $152,195 |
| Premium Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,300 lb to 7,800 lb | 1,548 lb to 2,004 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,993 lb | $94,095 |
| Sport 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,300 lb to 7,800 lb | 1,548 lb to 2,004 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,993 lb | $97,095 |
| Sport Platinum 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,300 lb to 7,800 lb | 1,548 lb to 2,004 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,993 lb | $111,595 |
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 | 8,700 lb | Black Label 4WD | $109,255 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV (this car) | 7,800 lb | Prem Lux Platinum SUV 4D 4WD | $111,595 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 7,716 lb | P360 SE AWD | $83,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 7,700 lb | GLS 450 4MATIC AWD | $81,800 |
| Porsche Cayenne Coupe | 7,700 lb | Platinum Edition Coupe AWD | $84,800 |
| Tesla Model X | 5,000 lb | AWD | $79,990 |
| BMW iX | 3,500 lb | xDrive50 AWD | $84,100 |
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