The Drive Systems A Cadillac Escalade Has (Explained)

On this blog, we’ve written extensively about the Cadillac Escalade and various aspects of the car. We’ve made a list of all Escalades and trim levels produced after 1999. Today we’re going to talk about what Escalade has AWD, RWD, and 4WD. Let’s start with a quick answer:

Cadillac Escalades manufactured between 1999 – 2000 have a 4WD system. All Escalades manufactured between 2001 – Present-day have rear-wheel drive as a standard with an option for all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive depending on the generation.

However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve made an extensive table telling you precisely what Cadillac Escalade has what drive system. Furthermore, we also discuss what drive system is best to get when you’re in the market for a Cadillac Escalade. Read on!

Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Cadillac Escalade

What Drive System Does A 1999 – 2021 Cadillac Escalade Have?

Below we’ve compiled an extensive list of the past generations of the Cadillac Escalade. We’ve written down the available trim levels for every Escalade and what kind of drive systems were available on this car. Let’s have a look!

What Drive System Is The Best Choice?

What drive system will fit you and your Escalade best depends on a few different factors. First of all, it’s essential to know how you want to use the car. If you’re planning to use the car mainly for road trips, family outings, and general city/highway use, then having a rear-wheel-drive Escalade is a typical option.

This is because the car won’t have to perform at peak level, and maximum traction won’t be needed. Furthermore, all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive systems are generally more expensive than rear-wheel-drive systems. Why would you want to buy something more expensive that you will most likely never use?

Also, rear-wheel-drive cars generally have a better fuel economy than cars with a drive system that incorporates all four wheels. If you want to know more about the fuel economy of an Escalade, you can find the information in this article that we wrote.

If you intend to use the Escalade for heavy winter driving or offroading, you have some decisions to make. First, it’s important that the 4-wheel drive system is generally more expensive than an all-wheel-drive system.

Suppose you plan on using the car in heavy snowfall, then you must know that having an all-wheel-drive system will generally do just fine. An all-wheel-drive system will provide you with all the traction you need unless you intend to drive on tens of inches of snow which may be a little too much.

In that case, you’re probably better of buying a 4-wheel drive system. Also, if you intend to use the car for extreme offroading (lots of mud, lots of loose sand), then the 4-wheel drive system is the best way to go. The reason for this is that the 4-wheel drive system has more grip because they actively change the distribution of power to the different wheels, whereas all-wheel-drive vehicles distribute power to all four wheels equally all the time.

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

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