2018 Cadillac Escalade — Full Specifications
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The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is an SUV powered by a 6.2L 8-cyl premium 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 2017 Cadillac Escalade: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 20 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 6.2L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 10-spd |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 20 combined / 17 urban / 28 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 17 combined / 14 city / 23 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 321 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 3 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,850 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2018 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 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (14/21) | 331 | $4,850 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (14/23) | 321 | $4,850 |
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 2018 Cadillac Escalade
Running Costs: 2018 Cadillac Escalade
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 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 $4,850 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.
2018 Cadillac Escalade Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Cadillac Escalade (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 20V603000, reported 1 October 2020. Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Seat belts — campaign 18V673000, reported 26 September 2018. Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade. The most-reported areas are Engine (19), Electrical system (8), Power train (4). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 3 reported fires. That is close to the median of 59 complaints across the 17 Cadillac Escalade model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 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 (19 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Brakes (1 recall campaign) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
- Electrical system (8 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
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 321 g/km CO₂ figure is 68 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 2018 Cadillac Escalade's 20 mpg is 7 mpg below that make average. Its 321 g/km CO₂ figure is 73 g/km higher than the 248 g/km Cadillac average.
Of the 17 Cadillac Escalade model years we cover, the 2018 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 2018 Cadillac Escalade
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade have?
It's fitted with a 6.2L 8-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 10-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Cadillac Escalade?
The most efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, or 17 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,850 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 2018 Cadillac Escalade have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Cadillac Escalade (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Seat belts (1). 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 2018 Cadillac Escalade?
Among the 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (19 complaints), Electrical system (8 complaints), Power train (4 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.