2000 Cadillac Escalade

The 2000 Cadillac Escalade youre looking at is the SUV that kicked the door open for Cadillac in the luxury truck world and this particular example, with only 37,751 miles on the odometer, represents that moment in time in a way very few surviving trucks still can. Finished in a beautiful Aspen White exterior over a Beige interior with leather seats and wood grain accents, it has the bold, square-shouldered presence that defined late-90s/early-2000s American luxury and announced, very clearly, that its driver had arrived. This is the first-generation Escalade, built on a full-size truck chassis, engineered to tow, haul, and cruise long distances in comfort, at a time when having a big, luxurious SUV like this was a very big deal.

Adding even more significance to this opportunity, this Escalade has a clean CARFAX, and its ownership history is remarkably stable: according to CARFAX, the first owner kept it for approximately 7 months, while the second owner held onto it for an extraordinary 24 years, with the vehicle spending its life in California and Texas. For a first-generation Escalade a model produced in limited numbers to begin with this kind of long-term ownership stability and documented history dramatically elevates its desirability.

Under the hood sits the legendary 5.7-liter V8 350 engine, the Vortec 5700 small-block that powered a generation of GM trucks and SUVs. In Escalade tune it was factory-rated at 255 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, sent through a 4-speed automatic transmission. That combination gives this Cadillac the kind of low-end torque that works beautifully for highway merging, passing, and towing, while still feeling relaxed and unhurried at a cruise. Period factory ratings quoted towing capability up to approximately 6,600 pounds when properly equipped, so the drivetrain and chassis were built with serious work in mind even as the Escalade moved firmly into the luxury space.

Power is routed through an electronic 4x4 system with an automatic-engaging mode designed to add traction the moment the system senses wheel slip. This AutoTrac-style setup gives you the usability of rear-drive cruising in good conditions, with the confidence of four-wheel drive available at the push of a button or automatically when road surfaces turn wet, snowy, or loose. Its exactly the sort of feature that made a big, powerful SUV like this so compelling in the early 2000s era: one vehicle that could take the family across town, tow a trailer, and tackle poor weather without feeling out of its element.

Inside, the Escalade leans heavily into Cadillacs luxury mission. The Beige leather seats are complemented by wood grain accents that run across the dash and console, giving the cabin a warm, upscale feel that absolutely fits the badge on the grille. The power-adjustable heated front seats are a centerpiece of the experience, adding genuine comfort on longer drives as well as cold mornings. The seating layout provides comfortable room for five, with the upright driving position and expansive glass area providing the classic king of the road view that so many buyers were seeking when these trucks were new.

Entertainment and sound quality were also a major part of the Escalade formula, and this example is equipped with an AM/FM radio paired with Bose audio. Bose systems of this era were tuned specifically for each cabin, and in the first-generation Escalade they deliver clear, full-bodied sound that matches the vehicles upscale mission. Combined with the hushed, solid feel of a full-size truck chassis and the smooth delivery of the 5.7-liter V8, it creates a relaxed, confident environment that still feels special today.

From a historical standpoint, this 2000 model is significant. Cadillacs first-generation Escalade was built only for the 19992000 model years, and production totaled roughly 50,000 units, making it a comparatively short-run chapt