Cadillac Escalade

Name: 2012 Cadillac Escalade
Brand: Cadillac

EPA MPG: 15 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 15 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

This luxurious version of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon has a plush interior and a powerful 6.2-liter V8. Acceleration is strong even when towing a heavy load, but fuel economy is a poor 13 mpg overall. Handling is clumsy, but ultimately secure, and braking distances are long. We found the interior to be quiet, and the ride comfortable, if not entirely settled. The small third-row seat is too low and doesn't fold into the floor. An extended-length ESV model and an EXT crew-cab pickup are also available. A hybrid version improves fuel economy.

2012 SUVs Reliability

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Cadillac Escalade

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BMW X5

Buick Enclave

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Cadillac vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Cadillac vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Cadillac vs. Other New Car Brands

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2012 Luxury SUVs 3-row Ratings

2012 Cadillac Escalade

$4,875 - $11,425

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Acura MDX

$7,700 - $8,400

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Audi Q7

$5,875 - $7,575

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 BMW X5

$6,050 - $9,325

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Buick Enclave

$5,400 - $7,200

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 GMC Acadia

$5,375 - $8,375

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Infiniti QX

$ NA

EPA MPG 16 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Land Rover LR4

$5,525 - $6,375

EPA MPG 14 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

$5,475 - $7,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus GX

$14,775 - $15,550

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus LX

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lincoln MKT

$5,150 - $5,300

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lincoln Navigator

$7,650 - $8,625

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

$7,450 - $7,650

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

$7,025 - $7,875

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Land Cruiser

$ NA

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volvo XC90

$5,200 - $5,700

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

extended SUV

4-door SUV

crew cab

2 front, 3 rear, 3 third

AWD, Rear

6-liter V8 hybrid (332 hp)
6.2-liter V8 (403 hp)

6-speed automatic
CVT

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2021-Present

Current Generation

The Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV have been redesigned for 2021, growing in size and features. As before, the Escalade shares much with the similar Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, including the move to a contemporary independent rear suspension. Judging from our time with the Tahoe and Suburban, it improves the ride and allows for more rear cargo space. The standard engine is a 420-hp, 6.2-liter V8. A 277-hp, 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine was also offered until 2025. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The modern cabin is overflowing with high-tech features, including a curved 55-inch panoramic display, a smaller display for climate and shortcuts, and an available premium stereo. The Escalade comes standard with FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection. BSW and RCTW became standard for 2025. Plus, it now offers the latest version of the Super Cruise active driving assistance system as standard with a subscription.

2015-2020

2015 Redesign Year

Few vehicles arrive with the Escalade's imposing look. It's extremely quiet and plush inside, with a natty interior finished in stitched leather. But its luxury is disappointingly skin deep. The stiff ride, particularly with the 22-inch wheels, is out of place in a luxury vehicle. With its clumsy handling and mediocre braking performance, the Escalade makes other full-sized SUVs seem graceful. Power is plentiful, but even with the new eight-speed automatic the Caddy gets just 16 mpg. For all its size, none of its seats really leave room to stretch out. And the third-row seat is tiny in the regular-length version. The unintuitive CUE infotainment system is a constant aggravation. Updates for 2016 included available lane-keeping assist and the addition of Apple CarPlay to the infotainment system. Updates for 2018 included a new 10-speed automatic, replacing the eight-speed unit.

2007-2014

2007 Redesign Year

A redesign for 2007 brought a 403-hp, 6.2-liter V8 mated to a six-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 8,100 pounds. The interior is much nicer, but handling is clumsy, fuel economy is poor at 13 mpg overall, and the third-row seat is small. Still, when it comes to luxury, nothing else in the category (built in America) can compete with the ultra-plush Escalade's features. As long as you focus on comfort and space, the Escalade shines. Bring dynamics into the equation and there are better offerings to be had from offshore.

2002-2006

2002 Redesign Year

With leather upholstery, wood trim, a cushier ride, and an inflated price tag, the Escalade became the full-size American luxury SUV of choice when it was introduced. The 2002 redesign was still truck-based, with power coming from a large 6.0-liter V8 engine. The ESV is a longer version based on the Chevrolet Suburban, while the EXT pickup is essentially a plusher version of the Chevrolet Avalanche.

1999-2000

1999 Redesign Year

This sheep in cashmere clothing pretends to be an all-new luxury SUV, but it's just a rebadged Chevy Tahoe with leather upholstery, wood trim, a cushier ride, and an inflated price tag. Virtues include a powerful engine, a smooth-shifting transmission, selectable full-time four-wheel drive, and a spacious interior. But expect sloppy handling and abysmal fuel economy. This generation Escalade was short-lived as a quick fix so Cadillac dealers had an SUV to sell like their Lincoln competitors do.