DecodedCars2017 Cadillac Escalade
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- ESCALADE, Esv
- Engines
- 6.2L 8-cyl
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 203.9–224.4 in
- Curb weight
- 5,840–6,041 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 72 rows of seating.
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 22.8% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade is a standard SUV offered with a 6.2L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 204 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,840 lb (ESCALADE).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 11% worse than the 2017 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Escalade →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Arlington, Texas
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 Escalade configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESCALADE | 203.9 in | 80.3 in | 74.4 in | 116.1 in | 68.9 / 68.5 in | 5,840 lb | 52/48 |
| Esv | 224.4 in | 80.3 in | 74.4 in | 129.9 in | 68.9 / 68.5 in | 6,041 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 512 |
| Escalade 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -8% | $3,950 | 533 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 21.9% |
| 2017 Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 22.8% |
Similar 2017 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Cadillac Escalade (this car) | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2017 Audi Q7 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2017 Tesla Model X | 295 mi | Not rated | 10 |
| 2017 Land Rover Discovery | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Lexus LX | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2017 Lincoln Navigator | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2017 Acura MDX | 27 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
Recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Sep 6, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V645000 · 3,456,719 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- Risk
- As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Sep 8, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Not every 2017 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 32 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 21 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Service Brakes — 20 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 31,278 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Escalade years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Escalade | 17 | 228.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Escalade | 17 | 227.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 54 |
| 2025 Escalade | 17 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 39 |
| 2024 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 74 |
| 2023 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 234 |
| 2022 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 143 |
| 2021 Escalade | 23 | 227.2 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 169 |
| 2020 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 36 |
| 2019 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 59 |
| 2018 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 37 |
| 2016 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 104 |
| 2015 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 9 | 106 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →