The Escalade is a large sport utility vehicle (or SUV) sold by the General Motors luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division's first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford's 1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only 10 months after it was approved.

The Escalade was originally based on sister company GMC's Yukon Denali, but was redesigned for the 2002 model year to make its appearance fall more in line with Cadillac's new design theme. The Escalade was not the first Chevrolet-based Cadillac: the first-generation Seville and mid-1980s Cimarron were based on entry-level Chevrolet vehicles.

The Escalade line has proven very popular with after-market tuners, who personalize vehicles for usually affluent customers. While such work is not done by the Cadillac factory, much can be ordered through a Cadillac dealer and done by third-party companies. Popular modifications include larger wheels, increased engine performance and custom paint. Due to its expensive parts and exposure from celebrity ownership, the Escalade has also been proven to be popular with car thieves as well, becoming the most frequently stolen vehicle from 2001-2003 according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Major competitors include: Mercedes-Benz G-Class (and possibly the smaller M-Class), BMW X5, Lexus LX series, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator.

The Escalade will move to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade will be joined by a stretched ESV version as well as a new EXT pickup truck.

The Escalade uses an all-aluminum 6.2 L Vortec V8. The pushrod engine boasts variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. A new six-speed 6L80 Hydra-Matic automatic transmission will be used. The new body boasts a 0.363 coefficient of drag, though the large frontal area will hurt aerodynamics.

One major new feature absent from the production vehicle is American Axle's "I-Ride" rear independent suspension module. Instead, a conventional five-link suspension is used.

Production of the redesigned Escalade began at Arlington Assembly in January of 2006. It will be priced from US$57,280, though the rear wheel drive version at this price will not be produced until August. The more expensive all wheel drive version will be produced first, followed by the long wheelbase ESV and EXT pickup in June.

A special Platinum ESV model will follow in 2007. GM's Active Fuel Management will come in 2008.

The Cadillac Escalade features two special trim levels, the ESV and EXT. The EXT being a pick-up version of the Ecalade SUV and the ESV being the top-of-the-line Escalade featuring a lenghtened wheel-base.