The marinas of Gulfport to the launch spots at Mobile Bay are calling Gulf Coast boaters who need tough, capable vehicles. If you’re taking your boat to Biloxi’s islands or hauling a center console to Pensacola’s fishing spots, your choice of Cadillac makes all the difference. Join our team at Turan-Foley Cadillac in Gulfport, Mississippi, as we explore each Cadillac’s towing capacity, tech features, and ability to handle the boats we love on the Gulf Coast. Let’s find you the perfect SUV for those weekend water adventures.
Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV for Heavy-Duty Towing
The Escalade’s built for serious Gulf Coast boaters. Its 6.2-liter V-8 delivers 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque with Dynamic Fuel Management. The Escalade’s towing capacity hits 8,100 pounds (two-wheel drive) or 8,000 pounds (ESV) — perfect for bay boats and offshore rigs.
Magnetic Ride Control adjusts suspension settings 1,000 times per second while towing. Air Ride Adaptive Suspension maintains proper height and stability. Hitch Guidance removes hookup stress, while trailer camera views help navigate slippery ramps.
The Escalade is perfect for towing center console boats, such as the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage (dry weight of approximately 6,200 pounds) and the Bayliner T20CC (4,142 pounds with trailer).
Cadillac XT6: Family SUV With Smart Towing
The Cadillac XT6 finds that sweet middle ground for families who need one vehicle that does it all — school runs during the week and boat launches on weekends. The XT6 towing capacity is up to 4,000 pounds when properly set up, perfect for an 18-21-foot family boat or a pair of Jet Skis loaded for weekend fun. You’ve got engine choices too: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pushing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque or a beefier 3.6-liter V-6 with 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.
What really shines is the Smart Towing Package, which includes Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, a 170-amp alternator, a heavy-duty cooling system, a hitch cover, and a seven-wire harness. Some models come with Hitch Guidance standard, so check what your chosen trim includes.
Cadillac XT5: Versatile Towing for Smaller Boats
Most XT5 models only tow up to 1,000 pounds, but add the Smart Towing Package and selected models reach a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Choose from Luxury ($44,295), Premium Luxury ($50,595), or Sport ($57,195) trims. Engine options include a 2.0-liter Turbo four-cylinder with 235 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V-6 with 310 horsepower. A 22-foot Alumaweld Intruder weighs about 2,475 pounds with a 60-gallon tank — well within what an XT5 and towing package can handle.
Cadillac XT4: Best for Personal Watercraft and Light Boats
The XT4 is Cadillac’s starter towing option with varying capabilities. Premium Luxury models start at $40,795 with a 2,000-pound base towing capacity, bumping to 2,750 pounds with the Trailering Package (V92). Sport models at $41,595 have a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds without and 3,500 pounds with that same XT4 towing package.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine makes 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The XT4 is best for personal watercraft (PWC) and light boats. PWC typically weigh between 400 and 1,200 pounds, and you’ll need to add 200-300 pounds for a trailer.
Cadillac LYRIQ AWD: Electric Towing Option
The LYRIQ brings something different to towing, but pay attention to which version you get. While the dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) LYRIC’s towing capacity is up to 3,500 pounds, thanks to its 515 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, the single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version (365 horsepower) can’t tow at all. AWD versions get about 319 miles of range per charge, while RWD models squeeze out 326 miles. This gives you options for daily driving and weekend water trips, although the range can drop when towing.
Electric towing has some neat perks. It’s whisper-quiet and delivers smooth, instant torque that helps at those slick Gulf Coast boat ramps where control matters. DC Fast Charging can add up to 86 miles in about 10 minutes, and you can use 250,000 public chargers plus over 23,500 Tesla Superchargers with an available adapter. That’s handy when you’re near popular boating spots and need a quick top-off.
Towing Technology That Makes Launching Easier
Cadillac’s towing tech tackles real problems Gulf Coast boaters face, such as tight marina parking and slippery ramps:
- Hitch Guidance with Hitch View: This shows you alignment lines and camera views to check your trailer while moving and backing up to the water.
- Smart Towing Package: XT5 and XT6 models include this package, which makes towing easier and safer.
- Escalade IQ Smart Trailering Package: Costing $2,470, this package adds Blind-Zone Steering Assist with Trailering, a Trailer View Camera, a Trailering App, a Smart Trailer Integration Indicator, and a built-in trailer brake controller. Even standard Escalade IQ models come ready with Hitch Guidance, Hitch View, and heavy-duty trailering equipment.
Gulf Coast Towing Tips
Gulf Coast conditions need smart prep. Always rinse hitch parts and electrical connections after saltwater launches. Salty air corrodes metal fast — quick rinses prevent problems. Algae-covered ramps get slippery, making AWD or four-wheel drive valuable.
It’s important to calculate the total towing weight of your boat and trailer. Use this formula: total weight = dry weight of the boat + fuel weight + weight of people and gear + engine weight + trailer weight. Here’s a rough guide to some boat weights: Jet Skis (400-1,200 pounds), 16-20-foot fishing boats (650-2,900 pounds), 18-22-foot runabouts (2,000-3,500 pounds).
FAQ About Cadillac Towing
Here are some FAQ about Cadillacs and towing boats.
Can a Cadillac Tow a Center Console to the Coast?
Absolutely. The Escalade handles up to 8,100 pounds (two-wheel drive) or 8,000 pounds (ESV), while center consoles range from 4,500 pounds (Barker 26 Open) to 6,200 pounds (Boston Whaler 280 Outrage). This provides room for fuel, gear, and passengers.
Do I Need a Package To Hit the Max Towing Rating?
Yes. The XT4 Sport needs the V92 Trailering Package for a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The XT5 requires the Smart Towing Package for 3,500 pounds. The XT6 needs its Smart Towing Package for 4,000 pounds. Base models tow much less.
Can the LYRIQ Tow My Small Skiff?
Only the AWD version. The AWD LYRIQ pulls up to 3,500 pounds, but RWD models can’t tow. It works for smaller boats, Jet Skis, and light setups. Plan charging stops for longer trips.
Find Your Perfect Cadillac for Gulf Coast Adventures
If you’re planning on towing your boat to a Gulfport marina, you’ll need the right Cadillac. For a heavy bay boat or offshore rig, get the Escalade/ESV. If you’ve got a family boat up to 4,000 pounds, the XT6 fits great. The XT5, XT4 Sport, and LYRIQ AWD work for PWC and light boats.
Ready to find your match? Browse our inventory to shop new Cadillac SUVs and check out our specials. Visit Turan-Foley Cadillac for a test drive or schedule service for hitch/trailer setup. We’ll match your exact towing needs with the perfect Cadillac for confident water trips.
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