You’ve seen them in music videos, parked outside posh restaurants, and cruising on freeways.
Yes, Cadillac Escalades are popular among the A-listers. Whether they actually need such a colossus of a vehicle isn’t the point. It’s been a staple among the in-crowd for a while.
Rolled out to the masses in 1999, the Cadillac Escalade was Cadillac’s response to the success of rival luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the Lincoln Navigator. The first Cadillac Escalade came with a 5.7-liter Vortec V8 engine capable of 255 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a 4-speed transmission.
A-Lister Vehicle for a Non-Outrageous Price
While the Escalade has captured the interest of deep-pocked individuals, the price tag was initially reasonable enough to make the must-have lists of car buyers who didn’t necessarily have deep pockets.
One source says the starting price for an Escalade over the first two years was $46,225. Now, you’ll have to fork over more for a 2025 Cadillac Escalade with a starting price of $89,590, according to Car and Driver.
Even so, you can still argue that that’s still not too bad a price to be able to drive what the in-crowd drives. It’s a bargain compared to the $149,400 starting price for another celebrity favorite—the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV.
Why Is It Such a Celebrity Favorite?
You might wonder why Cadillac Escalades are so popular among the A-list crowd. Sure, they’re nice-looking, rugged, and capable SUVs. But there are tons of other big SUVs that don’t get the same love from the rich and famous.
Consider these 14 reasons why the Cadillac Escalade is so popular among celebs.
Prestigious Brand
Why are celebs all over the Cadillac Escalade? One reason is that it’s regarded as a prestigious brand. Cadillac represents American-style automotive luxury. So, it’s seen as a symbol of success.
If you want a piece of automotive Americana, you might want to do as the rich and famous do and get an Escalade. It’s one of those status symbols that don’t have to cost an arm and a leg—especially if you get a used one.
Opulent Interior
Another reason celebs love the Escalade is the high-end interior appointments. Real wood trims, high-end materials, and premium leather are options. So, A-listers who want big SUVs with luxurious interiors are drawn to Escalades.
Comfortable Ride
Deep-pocketed famous people love the Cadillac Escalade because of its comfortable and smooth ride quality.
For instance, the 2024 model-—part of the fifth generation of the SUV—features fully independent suspension. That factors into the refined ride quality. So, just because it might look like a lumbering beast on the roads doesn’t mean it’s a bumpy or choppy ride.
Quiet Cabin
While the rich and famous love red carpets and the adoration of fans, they also appreciate some time to themselves. Cadillac Escalades have quiet cabins where people can unwind.
The SUV’s cabin has been described as among the quietest in the segment. Features that contribute to quiet cabins include active noise cancellation, triple-sealed doors, and air suspension.
Customizable Options
As you might imagine, celebrities want the best of the best, so they’re big on customizing their rides. The Cadillac Escalade doesn’t disappoint, as buyers can select unique color schemes and high-end upgrades.
There are also companies out there specializing in custom conversions for Escalades. A-listers who want to explore different floor plan configurations, relaxation amenities, and other things have that option.
Impressive Resale Value
According to CarEdge, the Cadillac Escalade has respectable resale value. It explains that the five-year resale value for an Escalade in good condition is $52,805. That price assumes a $108,407 selling price when brand new.
Powerful Engine Options
Yet another reason the Cadillac Escalade is a favorite among the Hollywood elite is the powerful engine options available. The standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel, and the 6.2-liter direct-injection V8 are options.
All-Wheel Drive
In some ways, celebs are a lot like the rest of us. They want safe vehicles to drive. That’s one reason they love their Escalades with all-wheel-drive drivetrains. Whether navigating roads during bad weather or weaving in and out of traffic to evade the paparazzi or over-zealous fans, the A-list crowd wants not just good power but superior traction for all road conditions.
Hybrid Options
Let’s face it. A-listers are among the biggest virtue signalers around. One way they show this trait is by preaching the goodness of being an environmental steward.
But how can they accomplish this by driving a huge SUV? All they have to do is get a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. It’s a more fuel-efficient SUV that combines an internal combustion engine—a 6.0-liter V8 engine churning out 332 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque—with two 60-KW electric motors and a battery pack.
Long Wheelbase (ESV)
Celebrities who want an Escalade with more room for their stuff can get the extended-wheelbase ESV model. A regular Escalade is plenty large enough. But for those who believe that bigger is better, the Escalade ESV doesn’t disappoint.
Fuel Tank Size
With places to go, things to do, and people to see, celebrities don’t have time to stop at gas stations all the time. The good news for A-listers in a rush is that these SUVs have large fuel tanks—with fuel tank capacities of 24 gallons.
Safety Features
Another reason Escalades are highly coveted among the in-crowd is the range of safety features. They offer a laundry list of features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane departure warnings, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, rear seat reminder, enhanced automatic parking assist, bicycle attention, and more.
Off-Road Capability
Like many people, celebs want off-road capabilities whether they need such features or not. The transfer case and differentials, electronic limited slip differential, air ride adaptive suspension, skid plates, drive modes, and terrain modes equip the SUV to be a formidable off-roader.
Recognizable Design
When you see an Escalade, you won’t confuse it for anything else. That’s one reason A-listers love the SUV. It’s a larger-than-life status symbol drenched in Americana.
That’s Why Celebs Love the Escalade
It’s hard not to notice that the rich and famous have a love affair with the Cadillac Escalade. Now you know why the SUV is a staple among the deep-pocked crowd of celebrities.
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