DecodedCars2020 Cadillac Escalade
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 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
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 13% below the 2020 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 19 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 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 2020 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Escalade — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Escalade →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Arlington, Texas
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 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 | -10% | $4,850 | 537 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Cadillac Escalade SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 22.8% |
| 2020 Cadillac Escalade SUV 2WD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 21.9% |
Similar 2020 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Cadillac Escalade (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 BMW X5 | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 11 |
| 2020 Audi Q7 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2020 Tesla Model X | 351 mi | Not rated | 10 |
| 2020 Land Rover Discovery | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2020 Lexus LX | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Lincoln Navigator | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 13 |
Recalls (2)
Tires · Feb 25, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V115000 · 33,838 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Risk
- Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Nov 21, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V837000 · 502 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
- Risk
- Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Not every 2020 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 20 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,571 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 2020 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 |
| 2019 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 59 |
| 2018 Escalade | 17 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 37 |
| 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 →