DecodedCars2018 Cadillac Escalade
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- ESCALADE, Esv
- Engines
- 6.2L 8-cyl
- Transmission
- 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 14 city / 23 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 73 rows of seating.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 13% below the 2018 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- 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 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 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 (14 city / 23 highway), 13% worse than the 2018 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 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 37 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Escalade — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Escalade →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Arlington, Texas
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 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 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 23 / 17 | -13% | $4,850 | 517 |
| Escalade 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -9% | $4,850 | 533 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 21.9% |
| 2018 Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 22.8% |
Similar 2018 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Cadillac Escalade (this car) | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Audi Q7 | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Tesla Model X | 295 mi | Not rated | 9 |
| 2018 Land Rover Discovery | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Lexus LX | 15 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Lincoln Navigator | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
| 2018 Acura MDX | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
Recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Oct 1, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V603000 · 14,620 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
- Risk
- A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, 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 November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other · Sep 26, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V673000 · 15,800 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact 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 18315.
Not every 2018 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 4 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,142 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 2018 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 |
| 2017 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 89 |
| 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 →