2005 Cadillac Escalade Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
13 City / 17 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
345
Seats
7 -8
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Shanna S
I have found the Cadillac escalade to be nice looking reliable car.
My Cadillac escalade is a nice looking truck. It has a lot of luxury features such as a navigation system and 6 changer cd player. It has never given me any major repair/maintenance problems. The only thing i dislike about my truck is the amount and cost of gas to keep the tank full.
accountCircle Jessica S
It takes a lot of gas but it is still a reliable car.
We had a few recalls but overall I loved my escalade. It is fast comfortable SUV. I feel safe especially with OnStar options.
accountCircle Crystal S
05 Escalade third row problem.
I love my Cadillac. There is however one thing I would change. I do not like that the third row seat has to come completely out. You can fold it down and push it forward, but the back is never completely flat, unless you take that third row seat out. It is a pain in the butt to have to disassemble the second row seats and push them forward. I think there should be a button that moves everything for you. After all it is a Cadillac.
accountCircle Davis J
The escalade has all you need for an urban or rural trip that is safe.
For the first few years of having the vehicle, there were no problems. As the vehicle has accumulated over 150, 000 miles, we have of course had problems. The air conditioning stopped working at one point, and the check engine light flashes on and off often warning about a raised temperature for the SUV. Overall though, the issues have been fixable, the performance of the vehicle is still stellar, and it is as comfortable as always. For a 2005, well advanced with GPS technology, DVD system, heated seats, and the like.
accountCircle dennis S
The nice ride the comfort
The comfort the nice ride dislikes is the price of maintenance
accountCircle Mark C
The one thing people should know is I get good gas mileage.
I like it a lot. I don't like my sunroof is broke. I don't like my radio is broke.
accountCircle Robin D
Ease of driving, does not make you feel as if your driver a tank.
Very reliable, great gas mileage on highway, great family vehicle, great towing capacity, smooth ride, great for long trips, very roomy especially for taller people, lots of leg and head room, it is a great luxury SUV, better ride control than others I have driven.
accountCircle Sonya J
Love it! When this one finally does need to come off the road, i'll be getting another.
Extremely reliable. Have not had any major issues with it, just normal maintenance. Has over 240,000 miles and still going strong. This thing is a tank!

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Todd N
Reliability
Purchased new in 2005. Owned this vehicle for 15 years. Replaced transmission 3 times @ $3600. Antilocoking brakes stopped working before 100K miles, Undercoated since new every 2 years; body is rusted out. A $300 sensor goes out every 3 months. A rolling money pit. Will not purchase a Cadillac every again. Very disappointing for a $68,000 vehilce!
accountCircle Cynthia A
This SUV has great horsepower! Heated seats is a plus during winter. I also love the remote control start feature.
I purchased the Cadillac Escalade 2005 used. I do regret jumping right into it instead of taking my time searching for the right SUV for my family. I mean it is a good vehicle but space wise it's too small. Cargo space is horrible. Can barely put a load of groceries in back. I have 3 small children so I carry a small stroller that takes up the entire cargo space.
accountCircle Cheryl B
When it works, it works very well.
Very powerful engine and great suspension. However, nearly every sensor has failed and needed to be replaced. American craftsmanship is sorely lacking.
accountCircle Christina H
Luxury spacious family friendly vehicle.
Very comfortable, roomy, gas guzzler, great sound system, spacious, looks nice, white, leather seats, big tires, strong engine, durable, fast, reliable, back up object notification alarm, forward object notification alarm, on star capable, loud horn.

Cadillac Escalade Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Base
345 HP 15-15 MPG 7-8 Seats
car
Platinum Edition
345 HP 15-15 MPG 7-8 Seats
Photos may not match model

2005 Cadillac Escalade Owner Reviews

4.58
50 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 72%
4 stars 20%
3 stars 4%
2 stars 2%
1 star 2%
accountCircle Jessica G on March 24, 2021
I love escalade wouldn't trade it at all.
I love my truck. I have had a few issues with alignment but not any major. I wouldn't change my make or model.
accountCircle Agnes K on March 17, 2021
Reliable and comfortable vehicle.
I love my Cadillac escalade. I like the look of it and how much room it has. It is a smooth ride very comfortable when driving a long distance. I have not had any major issues with it. I keep up with the routine maintenance and has always been reliable. I have not been disappointed with this vehicle. Strong, reliable and safe especially in winter conditions. It has a leather interior and its arm chair feature a heating system for those colder days.
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Pros from Owners

likeFilled Randall C.

Has awesome power and ride. Plus has all the bells and whistles. I love the cargo storage the 3rd rear seat that folds down. I like the rear stereo and heat warmers as well. It also has the entertainment center for our grandkids.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Randall C.

Age. It is getting a little old but still rides very nice. I don't know if I can write cons on this vehicle. There is not much about it that I do not like.I don't like the fact that the dash has cracked with age and that it rattles a little bit as well.

Ranks #4 Luxury Full Size SUV by Owners

The 2005 Cadillac Escalade has an average owner rating of 4.58 out of 5 which ranks it #4 of 9 other Luxury Full Size SUVs.

1
car
2005 Lexus RX
4.72
2
car
2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
4.67
3
car
2005 Lincoln Navigator
4.65
4
car
2005 Cadillac Escalade
4.58

Ranks #4 Luxury Full Size SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2005 Cadillac Escalade has a combined MPG of 18 which ranks it #4 of 9 other Luxury Full Size SUVs.

1
Tie
car
2005 Lexus RX
25 MPG
1
Tie
car
2005 Lincoln Town Car
25 MPG
4
Tie
car
2005 Cadillac Escalade
17 MPG

Is The 2005 Cadillac Escalade A Good Car?

Yes it is. The base model has lots of features that make the base model luxurious. The sound system is amazing. The heated seats are great.
Mary T.
Very good and reliable. Only a few issues here and there but it always gets me from point a to point b. Gas is a slight issue but with 5 kids my truck is perfect.
Amina B.
It's an amazing vehicle. It has a lot of amenities that we really enjoy. I love the Bose sound system that comes in it, and the cool things it does with the touch screen navigation/radio. It has a... Read More
Niki L.
Yes. It is an amazing vehicle! It has been a great vehicle throughout the years. It still runs like new.
Mo O.

How Reliable Is The 2005 Cadillac Escalade?

The only issue with the base model is the air shocks. They do not last. They are expensive to replace and they can be difficult to replace.
Mary T.
Very reliable. A few problems here and there but nothing too crazy. The wheel hubs go out at least once a year but I think that is a manufacturer issue.
Amina B.
It is an extremely reliable vehicle. It has some minor issues, but due to the computer system and how it works throughout the car, it is quickly know what is or may be going wrong with it.
Flora C.
Yes it is a very reliable vehicle. It has your very common problems. Other than that nothing crazy at all.
Alison M.

Is The 2005 Cadillac Escalade A Good Value?

I bought my vehicle used so it was a good deal. The base cost is about $40,000. For a luxury vehicle that is a good value.
Mary T.
I only paid 9 grand for mine which I felt was a decent price. It does have higher miles on it but with such a good motor there are no worries.
Amina B.
It was about 7000 to purchase used with high miles. It is a little costly to upkeep due to the fact that it is a Cadillac and some of its parts have to be specifically ordered from a caddy... Read More
Ashley G.
The 2005 models range from 4-15k. It is a great value in my opinion. These vehicles were built to last
Lynn B.

Related Articles for 2005 Cadillac Escalade

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2005 Cadillac Escalade coolant type?

Answer: The 2005 Cadillac Escalade coolant type is yellow. You will come into many issues with an engine. A spark plug may pop off, causing engine issues. A gasket may be loose and that needs to be tightened up. A...

What's the 2005 Cadillac Escalade blower motor resistor location?

Answer: The blower motor resistor on the 2005 Cadillac Escalade is located inside the glove box, in front of the front passenger seat. It is used to control the speed of the fan used for the AC and heater of the car....

What transmission is in a 2005 cadillac escalade?

Answer: The 2005 Cadillac Escalade comes equipped standard with A4-speed automatic transmission. This vehicle possesses A6.0 liter, v8 powered engine. With a towing capacity of 7,400 to 8,100 lbs, this heavy duty full...

What does service ride control mean on a 2005 Cadillac Escalade?

Answer: If the service ride control light turns on in a 2005 Cadillac Escalade that means that there is a problem with Your suspension that was detected by the ECU. The Escalade has an air suspension in it and there...

What kind of gas does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade take?

Answer: As specified by the manufacturer, the 2005 Cadillac Escalade is recommended to use premium grade unleaded fuel with a MINImum of 91 octane score. The explanation for the higher octane recommendation is that the...
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Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

Not Rated
*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test
(Not Tested)
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety