At Turan Foley Cadillac, we help Gulf Coast drivers use their Escalade for what it was built to do: haul boats to the marina, campers to your favorite state park, and enclosed trailers loaded with gear. Below, we walk through Cadillac Escalade towing capacity by model year, starting with the newest gasoline and electric models and working all the way back to the first generation.
Towing ratings vary by drivetrain, wheelbase, engine, and equipment. The numbers below are maximums for properly equipped models based on manufacturer specs and reputable testing sources. When you visit us, we can look up the exact rating for your VIN and trailer setup.
2026 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
For the 2026 model year, the gasoline Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV remain the towing leaders in the lineup.
- 2026 Escalade 2WD: Up to 8,100 pounds max towing when properly equipped with the 6.2 liter V8 and trailering equipment
- 2026 Escalade ESV 2WD: Up to 8,000 pounds max towing with the same 6.2 liter V8
- 2026 Escalade 4WD and ESV 4WD: Slightly lower ratings due to additional drivetrain weight
- 2026 Escalade V: Up to about 7,200 pounds for the short wheelbase model and about 7,000 pounds for V ESV variants
Gasoline 2026 Escalade and Escalade ESV models use a 420 horsepower 6.2 liter V8 with 460 pound feet of torque and a 10 speed automatic, which provides strong low end pull for trailers while still keeping the ride quiet and refined.
If you are shopping a 2026 model at Turan Foley Cadillac, most customers who want maximum towing capacity choose a 2WD Escalade with the trailering package. We will walk you through hitch class, brake controller options, and weight distribution so you can safely get close to that 8,100 pound rating when needed.
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ And IQL Towing Capacity
The 2026 Escalade IQ and long wheelbase Escalade IQL are all electric and still built to tow.
- 2026 Escalade IQ: Up to 8,000 pounds maximum towing, depending on configuration and trailering equipment
- 2026 Escalade IQL: Up to about 7,500 pounds maximum towing thanks to the longer wheelbase and additional weight
These EV models use dual electric motors, a large Ultium battery pack, and sophisticated trailering software. From our perspective as a Cadillac dealer, the key differences compared to gas models are:
- Excellent instant torque for getting a trailer moving
- Significantly reduced driving range while towing
- Very smooth, quiet towing experience
If you are considering using an Escalade IQ or IQL as a tow vehicle, we will help you plan realistic range expectations and charging stops around Gulfport and along your travel routes.
2025 Cadillac Escalade And Escalade IQ Towing Capacity
For 2025, Cadillac offers both traditional gasoline Escalade models and the first Escalade IQ EV.
Gasoline 2025 Escalade and Escalade ESV:
- Escalade 2WD: Up to 8,100 pounds max towing with the 6.2 liter V8 and trailering equipment
- Escalade ESV 2WD: Up to 8,000 pounds max towing
- Escalade V: Around 7,200 pounds maximum towing thanks to the high output supercharged V8 and AWD tuning
2025 Escalade IQ:
- Escalade IQ: Up to 8,000 pounds max towing when properly equipped with the Smart Towing package
If you are comparing 2025 Escalade and Escalade IQ side by side, both can pull a serious trailer. The gas model has easier refueling on long trips with a trailer, while the IQ trades some convenience for zero tailpipe emissions and a very quiet towing experience.
2024 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
For 2024 models, Cadillac continues the current generation that launched for the 2021 model year. Towing ratings are very similar to 2023 and 2022.
- 2024 Escalade 2WD: Up to about 8,100 to 8,200 pounds max towing depending on configuration
- 2024 Escalade ESV 2WD: Up to around 8,000 pounds max towing
- 3.0 liter Duramax diesel models: Typically 7,700 to 7,800 pounds, though some configurations approach 8,000 pounds
Many buyers gravitate toward the 6.2 liter gasoline V8 for a blend of performance and towing confidence, while the Duramax diesel is ideal for customers who tow frequently and want efficient low RPM torque. When you bring us a 2024 VIN, we can pull the build sheet and give you an exact rating for your vehicle.
2023 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
For 2023 Escalade and Escalade ESV models, towing capacity again tops out above 8,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Typical maximum ratings for 2023 gas models:
- 2023 Escalade 2WD: Up to 8,200 pounds max towing
- 2023 Escalade ESV 2WD: Up to 8,000 pounds max towing
Diesel and 4WD versions sit a little lower due to drivetrain and engine differences but still live in the approximately 7,700 to 8,000 pound range.
At Turan Foley Cadillac, we usually tell 2023 customers that if their loaded trailer weight is under about 7,000 pounds and they have the right hitch and brake setup, they are well inside what the truck is designed to handle. Above that, we start looking very carefully at tongue weight, payload, and axle ratings.
2022 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The 2022 Cadillac Escalade introduced the now familiar mix of 6.2 liter V8 and available 3.0 liter Duramax diesel. Max ratings vary by engine, drivetrain, and whether you own the standard wheelbase or ESV.
For 2022 Escalade (standard wheelbase):
- 6.2 liter V8 2WD: Up to 8,200 pounds
- 6.2 liter V8 4WD: Up to 8,000 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 2WD: Up to 8,000 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 4WD: Up to 7,800 pounds
For 2022 Escalade ESV:
- 6.2 liter V8 2WD: Up to 8,100 pounds
- 6.2 liter V8 4WD: Up to 7,900 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 2WD: Up to 7,900 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 4WD: Up to 7,700 pounds
If you drive a 2022 Escalade or ESV, we can decode your engine and axle combination and confirm your specific limit before you hook up that boat or enclosed trailer.
2021 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The 2021 model year launched the current generation Escalade and ESV and set the pattern for 2022 through 2024.
For 2021 Escalade (standard wheelbase), maximum ratings include:
- 6.2 liter V8 2WD: 8,200 pounds
- 6.2 liter V8 4WD: 8,000 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 2WD: 8,000 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 4WD: 7,800 pounds
For 2021 Escalade ESV:
- 6.2 liter V8 2WD: 8,100 pounds
- 6.2 liter V8 4WD: 7,900 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 2WD: 7,900 pounds
- 3.0 liter Duramax 4WD: 7,700 pounds
These figures mean that 2021, 2022, 2023, and many 2024 models share similar capability. From our perspective as a dealership, the real decision for these years is which engine and drivetrain fit your towing habits, not whether the truck can tow at all.
2020 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The 2020 Escalade and Escalade ESV represent the final year of the previous generation before the 2021 redesign.
- 2020 Escalade 2WD: Up to 8,300 pounds max towing when properly equipped
- 2020 Escalade 4WD: Typically up to 8,100 pounds
- 2020 Escalade ESV: Usually sits around 8,100 pounds for lighter trims and just under that for heavier builds
All 2020 Escalade models use a 6.2 liter V8 paired with a 10 speed automatic, and the available trailering package is what allows them to hit those 8,300 pound figures. If you are bringing a 2020 model in for service at Turan Foley Cadillac, we will confirm whether your truck has the heavy duty cooling and hitch hardware that were part of that package.
2015–2019 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Escalade and Escalade ESV share the same generation and broadly similar towing specs. These years use a 6.2 liter V8 and are typically rated between 7,900 and 8,300 pounds when properly equipped.
Typical max ratings for these model years:
- Escalade 2WD: Often up to 8,300 pounds
- Escalade 4WD: Generally around 8,100 pounds
- Escalade ESV: Usually between about 7,900 and 8,100 pounds depending on configuration
If you own a 2015 through 2019 Escalade, we will treat your truck similarly to a 2020 model when we discuss towing. That means looking for the integrated trailer brake controller, hitch rating, and axle ratio to make sure your trailer is a good match.
2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The third generation Escalade covers the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years. These SUVs use a 6.2 liter V8 making about 403 horsepower and 417 pound feet of torque, and they were built with towing in mind.
Typical maximum ratings across these years:
- 2007–2014 Escalade RWD or 2WD: Often rated up to 8,300 pounds with a weight distributing hitch
- 2007–2014 Escalade AWD or 4WD: Typically around 8,100 pounds
- 2007–2014 Escalade ESV: Usually around 7,400 to 7,800 pounds depending on trim and drivetrain
We see many Gulf Coast customers still using these trucks to tow campers and boats. As these Escalades age, we pay special attention to cooling system condition, transmission service history, and suspension components whenever a customer plans to tow near the top of the rating.
2002–2006 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The second generation Escalade launched for 2002 and ran through the 2006 model year, including the Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT pickup. These are the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Escalade family.
Representative towing ratings from this generation:
- 2002 Escalade (short wheelbase): Up to 8,200 pounds max towing when properly equipped.
- 2002 Escalade with the 5.3 liter V8 2WD: Around 7,700 pounds max trailering.
- 2003–2006 Escalade ESV: Typically around 7,400 to 7,800 pounds max towing.
- 2002–2006 Escalade EXT: Generally 7,300 to 7,900 pounds depending on year and configuration.
If you own a 2002–2006 Escalade, ESV, or EXT and want to tow regularly, our team can go over your vehicle’s equipment and help you decide on realistic limits that account for age, condition, and the type of trailer you use.
1999–2001 Cadillac Escalade Towing Capacity
The very first Escalade arrived for the 1999 model year and continued through 2000 and 2001 before the 2002 redesign. These early models are closely related to the GMC Yukon Denali of the same era and use a 5.7 liter V8 and older frame design.
Typical towing ratings:
- 1999 Escalade: Similar to 2000 models and typically in the mid 6,000 pound range when properly equipped.
- 2000 Escalade: Commonly listed at 6,600 pounds max towing with the 5.7 liter V8 and 4 speed automatic.
- 2001 Escalade: Transitional models with updated hardware often closer to 8,000 pounds when properly equipped, though published numbers vary by source
At Turan Foley Cadillac, we treat these early Escalades with extra caution for heavy towing. The mechanical systems are older, and while the trucks can still tow, we prefer to keep trailer weights comfortably below the original rating unless the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and maintained.
How Turan Foley Cadillac Helps You Tow With Confidence
From 1999 through today, the Escalade family has always been a serious tow vehicle when properly equipped. Most late model Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade V, and Escalade IQ models will tow somewhere between about 7,000 and 8,200 pounds, with earlier generations sitting between roughly 6,000 and 8,300 pounds depending on year and configuration.
At Turan Foley Cadillac, our job is to make those numbers practical for your life along the Gulf Coast. When you visit us in person or contact our team, we can:
- Run your VIN to confirm the exact factory towing rating and axle ratio
- Inspect your hitch, brake controller, and suspension for safe operation
- Recommend whether a weight distributing hitch or upgraded trailer brakes make sense
- Help you choose a new Escalade or Escalade IQ that is correctly configured for the boat, camper, car hauler, or utility trailer you plan to tow
Whether you own a brand new 2026 Escalade or a well kept early model, we are here as your towing resource. If you have your trailer weight and your current Escalade’s year and trim handy, bring them to us and we will help you line up a combination that feels confident and safe on every trip.
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