Cadillac Escalade has never been a one-size-fits-all SUV. From the original 1999–2000 launch models to today’s ultra-modern, tech-forward flagships, the Escalade lineup has evolved through distinct generations, body styles, and trim strategies. At Turan-Foley Cadillac, we help shoppers make sense of those differences every day, whether you’re comparing a brand-new Escalade to an earlier model year, or you’re hunting for a specific configuration like an ESV, EXT, Hybrid, or V-Series.
Below is a complete, model-year-by-model-year (grouped where the configurations are effectively the same) guide to Escalade configurations, starting with the newest models first.
2026 Cadillac Escalade configurations (latest info available)
For 2026, Escalade continues with a wide trim spread that includes both core luxury models and the high-performance V-Series. On Cars.com, the 2026 Escalade shows a broader configuration set that includes RWD and 4WD “base” builds plus Luxury, Sport, and Platinum-level naming, along with V-Series.
Available model years covered in this section: 2026
Main configuration choices (how you build it):
- Drivetrain/build type: RWD or 4WD (varies by trim/build)
- Trim families shown for 2026 include: base RWD and base 4WD, Luxury, Sport, Platinum Luxury, Platinum Sport, and V-Series
- Body style note: Escalade is historically offered in standard-length and ESV (extended-length) versions; availability and exact trim naming can vary by year and market.
Who this fits best:
- If you want the newest interpretation of Escalade luxury and tech with multiple trim directions (classic luxury vs. sport appearance vs. flagship Platinum) and a dedicated V-Series performance option, 2026 is the top-of-the-line place to start.
2025 Cadillac Escalade configurations
The 2025 Escalade lineup is organized around the familiar Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and Platinum top trims, with V-Series at the top for performance buyers. Cars.com lists six trims for 2025, including Luxury, Premium Luxury, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport, Sport Platinum, and V-Series.
Available model years covered in this section: 2025
Main configuration choices:
- Trim ladder for 2025: Luxury → Premium Luxury → Sport → Premium Luxury Platinum / Sport Platinum → V-Series
- 4WD availability is common on these trims; some configurations may show additional drivetrain/build variations depending on listing format and data source.
2021–2024 Cadillac Escalade configurations (same overall trim strategy)
The 2021 redesign introduced the modern Escalade era with a clear split between luxury-themed and sport-themed trims, plus Platinum-level flagships. The core trim structure remains consistent across these years, with the biggest “configuration story” being the trim direction (Luxury/Premium Luxury vs. Sport) and whether you step up to Platinum-level equipment.
Available model years covered in this section: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Core trims (strategy introduced at the start of this generation):
- Luxury
- Premium Luxury
- Sport
- Premium Luxury Platinum
- Sport Platinum
Drivetrain/build choices:
- For 2021, Cars.com shows these trims offered in both 2WD and 4WD styles (varies by trim).
- Similar availability patterns commonly continue through the rest of the generation.
Performance configuration (V-Series era):
- Escalade V-Series exists in the modern generation and is shown as a distinct configuration option in current-year listings (and continues into 2025–2026 as well).
2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade configurations (Standard, Luxury, Premium, Platinum era)
This generation is where Escalade’s “classic four-step” trim approach is very easy to understand: a Standard (base) model, then Luxury, then Premium, then Platinum on top. For 2015 specifically, Cars.com shows four trims: Standard, Luxury, Premium, and Platinum, typically with 2WD and 4WD availability depending on configuration.
Available model years covered in this section: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Core trims for this era:
- Standard (base)
- Luxury
- Premium (often later labeled Premium Luxury on newer generations)
- Platinum
What to know when shopping these years:
- If you want the most features without jumping into the newest-generation pricing, Platinum models in this era are often the sweet spot.
- ESV models mirror the same trim ladder, but with the extended-length body.
2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade configurations (Escalade, ESV, EXT, and Hybrid years)
This era is all about body-style variety. Depending on the model year, Escalade could be found as:
- Escalade (standard-length SUV)
- Escalade ESV (extended-length SUV)
- Escalade EXT (crew-cab luxury pickup)
- Escalade Hybrid (available in select years)
Available model years covered in this section: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Escalade (standard SUV) configuration notes:
- Early in this era, some listings present Escalade in drivetrain-based configurations (2WD vs. AWD) rather than multiple named trims.
- As you move deeper into the generation, named trims commonly appear (examples include Luxury/Premium/Platinum-style packaging depending on year and source data).
Escalade Hybrid (select years):
- Escalade Hybrid is shown as its own model line with distinct trims/configurations, including 2WD and 4WD options depending on year.
Escalade EXT (crew-cab pickup) configuration notes:
- Early EXT years can appear as a single configuration.
- By 2012–2013, EXT is clearly shown with multiple trims such as Base, Luxury, and Premium (depending on year).
If you’re shopping this generation, the first question we recommend answering is body style: do you want the standard Escalade, the longer ESV, the pickup-style EXT, or the efficiency-focused Hybrid?
2002–2006 Cadillac Escalade configurations (second-generation launch, plus ESV/EXT growth)
This generation is where Escalade expands beyond the original formula, growing into a family that includes extended and pickup-style options. It’s also notable because there was no 2001 Escalade model year; the second generation arrived for 2002.
Available model years covered in this section: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Escalade (standard SUV) configuration notes:
- These model years are commonly shown with drivetrain-based configurations (2WD vs. AWD) rather than a large named-trim ladder.
Escalade EXT (pickup) begins:
- The Escalade EXT appears as a distinct model line early in this era and may be shown as a single main configuration in the early years.
Escalade ESV (extended-length) availability:
- ESV becomes part of the Escalade story in this era, with certain years showing special editions (for example, Platinum Edition appears in some year listings).
1999–2000 Cadillac Escalade configurations (original launch years)
The first Escalade model years are straightforward, and that simplicity is part of their appeal to collectors and fans of the original Escalade look.
Available model years covered in this section: 1999, 2000
Configuration notes:
- For 1999, Cars.com shows a single trim configuration (a single main build style).
- These early Escalades are closely tied to their era’s full-size SUV formula: one primary trim, one core identity, and a clear “flagship Cadillac SUV” mission from day one.
Conclusion
If there’s one takeaway from the Escalade story, it’s that “configuration” means different things depending on the era. In the newest models, it’s about selecting a luxury theme (Luxury/Premium Luxury vs. Sport), stepping up to Platinum-level flagships, and deciding whether V-Series performance belongs in your driveway. In the middle years, it’s often about choosing the right mix of Standard/Luxury/Premium/Platinum. And in the 2007–2014 era especially, it can come down to picking the body style that matches your lifestyle: standard Escalade, extended ESV, pickup-style EXT, or Hybrid.
When you’re ready, our team at Turan-Foley Cadillac can help you compare Escalade model years side-by-side, track down specific trims and body styles, and match you with the configuration that fits how you actually drive, travel, and live.
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