2016 Cadillac Escalade — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Cadillac Escalade is an SUV powered by a 6.2L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 20 mpg (UK) / 17 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Cadillac Escalade workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Cadillac Escalade: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 20 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 6.2L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 8-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 20 combined / 18 urban / 26 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 17 combined / 15 city / 22 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 318 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 3 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,950 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade, all with the 6.2L 8-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 327 | $3,950 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/22) | 318 | $3,950 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade
Running Costs: 2016 Cadillac Escalade
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Cadillac Escalade at 20 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,818 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Cadillac Escalade Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Cadillac Escalade (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Service brakes (1), Suspension (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 19V645000, reported 6 September 2019. Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 17V437000, reported 10 July 2017. Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Air bags — campaign 16V651000, reported 8 September 2016. Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Suspension — campaign 16V256000, reported 28 April 2016. Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The most-reported areas are Engine (31), Power train (22), Electrical system (18). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 5 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 59 complaints across the 17 Cadillac Escalade model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (31 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Transmission & drivetrain (22 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Electrical system (18 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (2 recall campaigns) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Cadillac Escalade compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 20 mpg figure is 7 mpg below that average. Its 318 g/km CO₂ figure is 65 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Cadillac models in our database average about 27 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Cadillac Escalade's 20 mpg is 7 mpg below that make average. Its 318 g/km CO₂ figure is 70 g/km higher than the 248 g/km Cadillac average.
Of the 17 Cadillac Escalade model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 5th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (20 mpg UK combined, against a high of 28 mpg). See every Cadillac Escalade year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have?
It's fitted with a 6.2L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 8-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Cadillac Escalade?
The most efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, or 17 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Cadillac Escalade (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Service brakes (1), Suspension (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade?
Among the 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (31 complaints), Power train (22 complaints), Electrical system (18 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Cadillac Escalade's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.