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GM Authority has been tracking the upcoming 2025 Cadillac Escalade refresh for the past two years, being the first to tell you that the marque’s most legendary nameplate will offer 24-inch wheels, revised styling, and an updated cabin. Now, our spies have caught the upcoming 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V in showroom ready condition, giving us our first look at the exterior design changes for its mid-cycle refresh.
First off, what we’re looking at here is the short wheelbase Escalade-V (as opposed to the extended-length Escalade-V ESV) in Black Raven (paint code GBA).
Starting at the front end, we see that the 2025 Escalade-V features an overhauled front fascia with a new headlight setup to boot. The front lighting configuration is very similar to that used on the all-electric 2025 Escalade IQ. The horizontally-oriented lights are the turn signal indicators and hazard lights, while the vertically-oriented units are split out into two sections: the outer section serves as the Daytime Running Light (DRL), which has become a signature for Cadillac design. Move one cluster inside the vertically-oriented DRL, and we’ll find the actual headlight.
Unlike the Escalade IQ’s LED-infused faux grille / blockout panel, the 2025 Escalade-V features a revised version of the mesh grille used in the ICE-powered Escalade, split into two levels. The lower grille features a blockout panel for ADAS sensors, bookended by a set of small intakes at the corners. Cadillac’s multi-color Crest is placed front and center on the upper grille, suggesting that this model is not equipped with the optional Onyx Package, which brings Monochrome Cadillac emblems.
Note that the front fascia seen here will likely be unique to the Escalade-V, as non-V Escalade trims will feature a slightly less aggressive version of this face.
Also note the new comms fin just above the driver, which now features a puck-like shape, abandoning the fin that the pre-refresh model. The new fin enables 5G connectivity.
No changes are being made to the sides of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V, with the exception of the wheels. As GM Authority reported previously, the refreshed Escalade will feature 24-inch wheels, which we see uncovered for the first time here. The wheels pictured are specific to the Escalade-V, per the subtle V graphic at the outer edges of the spokes. The 24s are wrapped in 285/40ZR24 Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02s rubber.
It’s unclear whether the 24s will be standard on the Escalade-V, or whether they will be optional, with 22s being standard.
The changes at the rear are less extensive, as the shape of the tail lights, the rear fascia, quad exhaust treatment, and all other elements appear to carry over from the current model. However, the graphic within the tail lamps appears to have been updated.
Inside, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade will share the pillar-to-pillar display with the aforementioned Escalade IQ as well as the hand-built Cadillac Celestiq flagship.
Under the hood, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V will continue with the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine, rated at 682 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 653 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Output will be directed through the GM 10-speed automatic transmission, reaching the ground through an active all-wheel drive system.
