2013 Cadillac Escalade Review
2013 Cadillac Escalade Review





+109
Used Escalade for sale
Get More For Your Trade-In
2013 Cadillac Escalade appraisal values can range from $15,450 - $22,566.
Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unique visual presence
- long list of standard features
- gutsy V8
- civilized road manners.
Cons
- Third-row seat lacks legroom and must be removed to maximize cargo space
- lackluster braking
- low fuel economy
- high rate of theft.
What’s new
The Cadillac Escalade returns unchanged for 2013.
Edmunds says
With waning fashion appeal and mounting pressure from newer luxury SUVs, the 2013 Cadillac Escalade isn't as desirable as before.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.33 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$437/mo
Escalade Platinum Edition
vs
$335/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Vehicle overview
Fashion is a fickle mistress. There was a time when the Cadillac Escalade was the vehicle du jour for the wealthy, famous or those keeping up appearances. Unlike the classic black cocktail dress or gentlemen's two-button suit, however, the Escalade doesn't enjoy a timeless status. Six years into the current generation's run, the Escalade now looks more like yesterday's fashion.
That's not to say the 2013 Cadillac Escalade lacks merit, as it still satisfies the core expectations of any large luxury SUV. A long list of features, plenty of power at the driver's disposal and an unmistakable road-going presence help this big Cadillac hold much of its original appeal.
But other rivals have upped their game and tarnished the Escalade's shine with more capable alternatives. The Escalade's third-row seats, for example, which penalize the center passenger with a distinct lack of space, mark one of the SUV's more glaring faults. Cargo space also suffers, as the third row does not fold neatly out of the way and requires complete removal to accommodate a respectable amount of luggage. Add to that a thirsty V8, long braking distances and the Escalade's attractiveness to car thieves, and it's no mystery why shoppers are looking elsewhere.
For these reasons, we'd steer potential owners toward the all-new and similarly priced 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, which essentially outperforms the Cadillac on all fronts. If expanded passenger and cargo capacity aren't absolute necessities, the 2013 Infiniti QX and 2013 Porsche Cayenne are also worth consideration. Any of these choices will likely make a bigger fashion splash than the aging 2013 Cadillac Escalade.
Performance & mpg
The 2013 Cadillac Escalade comes with a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard, but all-wheel drive is optional.
In Edmunds performance testing, an all-wheel-drive Escalade took just 7.5 seconds to go from zero to 60 mph, an impressive number for this size vehicle. Properly equipped, two-wheel-drive versions can tow a healthy 8,300 pounds. Fuel economy, as you might guess, is pretty dismal. The EPA estimates 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 13/18/15 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Safety
Standard safety features on the 2013 Cadillac Escalade include stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and OnStar emergency telematics. A blind-spot warning system is standard on all but the base model.
In Edmunds brake testing, the Escalade came to a stop from 60 mph in 144 feet, disappointing even for a full-size luxury SUV. In government crash tests, the Escalade earned an overall rating of four out of five stars. It earned five stars for total frontal and side crash protection, but just three stars for rollover risk.
Driving
On the road, the 2013 Cadillac Escalade's big V8 delivers swift acceleration at all speeds. Its handling inspires confidence, especially with the active Magnetic Ride Control suspension, though you'll never mistake the Escalade for anything other than a truck-based SUV. You will appreciate the ride quality, though, as it remains comfortable even with the larger 22-inch wheels. A relatively tight turning circle helps with overall drivability, but maneuvering in tight quarters can be a chore despite the aid of the standard rearview camera.
Interior
The Escalade's cabin, highlighted by supple leather upholstery and attractive faux-wood and alloy trim, looks and feels more luxurious than a Tahoe or Yukon's interior. The gauges and controls are well-placed and intuitive in operation, and there are plenty of luxurious features to keep driver and passengers comfortable and entertained.
In its standard seven-passenger configuration, the big Caddy features second-row captain's chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat. Adding the available second-row bench raises total seating capacity to eight. The 50/50-split third-row seats don't provide much legroom, however, and the middle passenger must sit atop the gap between seats. The third-row seats also don't fold neatly into the floor as in most other SUVs. Instead, owners needing to carry bulky items are forced to either fold and tumble the entire assembly forward -- consuming precious cargo space -- or remove the heavy seats entirely.
Removing the third-row seats yields a cavernous 60.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats. Fold those second-row seats down and cargo capacity grows to an impressive 108.9 cubic feet.
2013 Cadillac Escalade models
Classified as a full-size SUV, the 2013 Cadillac Escalade is offered in Base, Luxury, Premium and Platinum Edition trim levels. Seven-passenger seating is standard, with an option to add a second-row bench for up to eight passengers (except on the Platinum trims). The Escalade Hybrid, the extended-length ESV and the pickup-style EXT are reviewed separately.
The base Escalade comes standard with 18-inch wheels, an adaptive and auto-leveling suspension, a locking rear differential, a tow package, rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, automatic xenon headlights, foglamps and heated mirrors with power-folding and driver-side dimming.
Interior features include remote ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-only steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, heated and ventilated 10-way power front seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, driver memory functions, heated second-row captain's chairs, leather upholstery and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Additional features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth, OnStar, a navigation system, a touchscreen interface and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and rear audio controls.
The Escalade Luxury adds 22-inch wheels, a magnetically controlled adaptive suspension, automatic high beams, a blind-spot warning system, a sunroof, power flip-and-fold second-row seats and a heated steering wheel. Options include power-retractable side steps and a rear-seat entertainment system with a single display.
The Escalade Premium adds the above options plus body-colored styling components in place of chrome, dual exhaust outlets and painted wheels.
The Escalade Platinum Edition gets a unique grille and wheels, LED headlamps, upgraded leather upholstery, extended leather interior trim, upgraded interior trim, heated and cooled cupholders and a different rear-seat entertainment system with twin headrest-mounted screens.

10,000 Miles in Our Long-Term 2022 BMW X3
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade.
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Reliable car. Head turner.
Matthew,12/16/2015
4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
Comfortable on long trip.
5 out of 5 stars
Love my ride
Kimgo,11/20/2017
4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
Great car. Highly recommend. Only negatives are Bluetooth only works with cell phone and third row seats do not lower. You have to remove them to use cargo space.
5 out of 5 stars
The 'Beast'
The 'Beast',03/21/2020
Platinum Edition 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
We love the Escalade.
4 out of 5 stars
2013 Escalade
Mark Martin,07/17/2016
Premium 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover24.6%
People who viewed this also viewed
5 average Rating out of 1 reviews. |
Starting at $77,635 |
See Inventory |
4.5 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $51,600 |
See Inventory |
5 average Rating out of 4 reviews. |
Starting at $77,200 |
See Inventory |
More about the 2013 Cadillac Escalade
Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade Overview
The Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade is offered in the following submodels: Escalade SUV. Available styles include Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A), Premium 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A), Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A), Luxury 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A), Premium 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A), Platinum Edition 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A), 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A), and 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A). Pre-owned Cadillac Escalade models are available with a 6.2 L-liter flex-fuel (FFV) engine, with output up to 403 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. The Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade?
Price comparisons for Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade trim styles:
- The Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition is priced between $22,500 and$34,499 with odometer readings between 105658 and159231 miles.
- The Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade Luxury is priced between $28,900 and$28,900 with odometer readings between 96287 and96287 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2013 Cadillac Escalades are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2013 Cadillac Escalade for sale near. There are currently 4 used and CPO 2013 Escalades listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $22,500 and mileage as low as 96287 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade.
Can't find a used 2013 Cadillac Escalades you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Cadillac Escalade for sale.
Find a used Cadillac for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Cadillac Escalade for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Cadillac for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2013 Cadillac Escalade?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Cadillac lease specials
Check out Cadillac Escalade lease specials
Related Used 2013 Cadillac Escalade info
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used GMC Sierra 3500HD 2014
- Used Ford Flex 2017
- Used Nissan Armada 2014
- Used Lincoln MKZ 2011
- Used Lexus GS 350 1998
- Used Ford F-450 Super Duty 2010
- Used Mazda MX-5 Miata 2003 For Sale
- Used Nissan Maxima 1995
- Used Mercedes-Benz 300-Class 1990
- Used Honda Civic del Sol 1993
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Audi S8
- 2021 X5
- Aston Martin DB11 2021
- 2022 BMW X4 M
- 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- Audi A6 allroad 2021
- 2023 Porsche Macan News
- 2022 Ram 1500 Classic
- 2021 Ram 1500
- 2023 VinFast VF 9 News
Other models to consider
- 2021 Cadillac XT4
- Cadillac CT5 2021
- 2021 Escalade
- 2022 Cadillac CT4
- 2021 XT5
- 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
- 2021 Cadillac CT4
- Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 2022
- 2021 Cadillac CT4
- 2021 CT5
Research similar vehicles
- 2022 Kia Niro EV
- 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ
- 2022 XT5
- 2022 Wrangler 4xe
- Toyota RAV4 2021
- 2021 Jeep Renegade
- Cadillac Escalade ESV 2022
- GMC Acadia 2021
- 2022 Discovery
- Lexus RX 350 2021
Recommended
- Honda Civic 2004 Features Specs
- Honda Civic del Sol 1997 Features Specs
- Mercedes Benz CLS Class 2022 Pictures Exterior
- Used Ford Expedition 2018
- Honda Civic 2008 Consumer Review
Other models
- New Lexus NX-350H for Sale in Dubuque, IA
- New Hyundai Palisade for Sale in Waltham, MA
- New BMW X4 for Sale in Passaic, NJ
- Used Jeep Wrangler-4Xe in Flint, MI
- New Honda CR-V for Sale in Lincoln, CA
- New Genesis G90 for Sale in Buffalo, NY
- New BMW M8 for Sale in Orland Park, IL
- New Chrysler Pacifica for Sale in Augusta, GA
- New Kia Soul for Sale in Rosemead, CA
- New Hyundai Veloster for Sale in Kokomo, IN
- New Mercedes-Benz Gls-Class for Sale in Mount Pleasant, SC
- New Infiniti QX50 for Sale in Evanston, IL
- New Alfa-Romeo Stelvio for Sale in Peoria, AZ
- New GMC Sierra-1500 for Sale in Janesville, WI
- New Nissan Titan-Xd for Sale in Carmel, IN
- New Mercedes-Benz Gls-Class for Sale in League City, TX
- New Ford Ranger for Sale in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- New Nissan Armada for Sale in Whittier, CA
- New Mercedes-Benz Gls-Class for Sale in Apex, NC
- New BMW X5 for Sale in Peachtree Corners, GA
- New BMW 4-Series for Sale in Lynn, MA
- New BMW X5 for Sale in Wilmington, NC
- New Honda Insight for Sale in Temecula, CA
- New Mitsubishi Outlander for Sale in Conroe, TX
- New Mini Convertible for Sale in Kenosha, WI
- New Ford Transit-Crew-Van for Sale in Bowie, MD
- New Chevrolet Traverse for Sale in Apex, NC
- New Audi E-Tron-S-Sportback for Sale in Hendersonville, TN
- New Mercedes-Benz Amg-Gt for Sale in Bossier City, LA
- New Alfa-Romeo Stelvio for Sale in Lawrence, KS