2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV towing capacity
Max tow rating
8,000lb
- Luxury RWD, 6.2L.
- Base trim: 7,700 lb.
- Top 13% of 147 SUVs (2026).
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
- 106% of 6,038 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
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
- 8,000 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: Luxury RWD, $105,100.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,038 lb | $105,100 |
| Sport RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,038 lb | $105,700 |
| Platinum Luxury RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,038 lb | $122,900 |
| Platinum Sport RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,000 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,038 lb | $123,400 |
| RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 7,700 lb | 2,070 lb | 7,600 lb | 6,038 lb | $94,100 |
| 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,700 lb | 1,500 lb to 1,977 lb | 7,600 lb to 7,700 lb | 6,038 lb | $97,100 |
| Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,700 lb | 1,500 lb to 1,977 lb | 7,600 lb to 7,700 lb | 6,038 lb | $108,100 |
| Sport 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,700 lb | 1,500 lb to 1,977 lb | 7,600 lb to 7,700 lb | 6,038 lb | $108,700 |
| Platinum Luxury 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,700 lb | 1,500 lb to 1,977 lb | 7,600 lb to 7,700 lb | 6,038 lb | $125,900 |
| Platinum Sport 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,700 lb | 1,500 lb to 1,977 lb | 7,600 lb to 7,700 lb | 6,038 lb | $126,400 |
| V-Series AWD | 6.2L 8cyl | AWD | 7,000 lb | 1,140 lb to 1,946 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,754 lb to 6,510 lb | $171,000 |
No rating listed: 1 trim.
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 | Premiere 4WD | $91,995 |
| Cadillac Escalade | 8,100 lb | RWD | $91,100 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV (this car) | 8,000 lb | Luxury RWD | $105,100 |
| Audi SQ7 | 7,700 lb | Premium Plus AWD | $93,800 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 7,700 lb | GLS 450 4MATIC AWD | $90,250 |
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