2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV towing capacity
Max tow rating
8,000lb
- RWD 4dr Luxury, 6.2L.
- Base trim: 7,800 lb.
- Top 12% of 159 SUVs (2025).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,400 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 8,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,400 lb
- Margin
- 1,600 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- Curb weight not listed
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 10-13 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 8,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,400 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 6,400 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,400 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 8,000 lb: RWD 4dr Luxury, $93,700.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD 4dr Luxury | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,530 lb to 6,111 lb | $93,700 |
| RWD 4dr Premium Luxury | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,530 lb to 6,111 lb | $102,900 |
| RWD 4dr Sport | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,530 lb to 6,111 lb | $103,500 |
| RWD 4dr Premium Luxury Platinum | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,530 lb to 6,111 lb | $122,500 |
| RWD 4dr Sport Platinum | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,530 lb to 6,111 lb | $123,000 |
| Luxury RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 7,800 lb | 1,412 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,188 lb | $91,100 |
| 4WD 4dr Luxury | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,977 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,723 lb to 6,111 lb | $96,700 |
| Premium Luxury RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 7,800 lb | 1,412 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,188 lb | $100,300 |
| Sport RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 7,800 lb | 1,412 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,188 lb | $100,900 |
| 4WD 4dr Premium Luxury | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,977 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,723 lb to 6,111 lb | $105,900 |
| 4WD 4dr Sport | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,977 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,723 lb to 6,111 lb | $106,500 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 7,800 lb | 1,412 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,188 lb | $119,900 |
| Sport Platinum RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 7,800 lb | 1,412 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,188 lb | $120,400 |
| 4WD 4dr Premium Luxury Platinum | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,977 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,723 lb to 6,111 lb | $125,500 |
| 4WD 4dr Sport Platinum | 6.2L | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,977 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,723 lb to 6,111 lb | $126,000 |
| Sport 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,500 lb | 7,688 lb | 6,188 lb | $100,900 to $103,900 |
| Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,500 lb | 7,688 lb | 6,188 lb | $91,100 to $94,100 |
| Premium Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,500 lb | 7,688 lb | 6,188 lb | $100,300 to $103,300 |
| Sport Platinum 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,500 lb | 7,688 lb | 6,188 lb | $120,400 to $123,400 |
| Premium Luxury Platinum 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,800 lb | 1,500 lb | 7,688 lb | 6,188 lb | $119,900 to $122,900 |
| V-Series AWD | 6.2L 8cyl | AWD | 7,100 lb | 1,140 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,869 lb to 6,519 lb | $165,500 |
| AWD 4dr V-Series | 6.2L | AWD | 7,100 lb | 1,946 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,754 lb to 6,111 lb | $170,400 |
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 | 8,100 lb | RWD 4dr Luxury | $90,700 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV (this car) | 8,000 lb | RWD 4dr Luxury | $93,700 |
| Porsche Cayenne Coupe | 7,716 lb | AWD | $89,800 |
| Audi SQ7 | 7,700 lb | Premium Plus AWD | $90,800 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 7,700 lb | GLS 450 4MATIC AWD | $89,200 |
| Audi SQ8 e-tron | 4,000 lb | Premium Plus AWD | $90,200 |
| Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback | 4,000 lb | quattro Premium Plus AWD | $93,000 |
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