Used 2021 Cadillac Escalade for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

Compare 2021 Cadillac Escalade Trims

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to luxurious models, all featuring powerful V8 engines.

• Starting at $47,165
• Best MPG/MPGe: 14 city / 20 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium Luxury 4WD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Luxury RWD — "Who It's For"

The Luxury RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped luxury SUV without the higher price of AWD options.

• Avg. market price: $47,165 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 14 city / 20 hwy
• Inventory: 269 listings
• View Luxury RWD listings

Luxury 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Luxury 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without paying for the higher-end trims.

• Avg. market price: $50,584 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 13 city / 19 hwy
• Inventory: 785 listings
• View Luxury 4WD listings

Premium Luxury RWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Luxury RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of luxury features without the AWD price tag.

• Avg. market price: $50,590 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 14 city / 20 hwy
• Inventory: 252 listings
• View Premium Luxury RWD listings

Sport RWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel in a luxury SUV without the added cost of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $53,294 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 14 city / 20 hwy
• Inventory: 93 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Sport RWD listings

Premium Luxury 4WD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Luxury 4WD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience with the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $53,832 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 13 city / 19 hwy
• Inventory: 1,195 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium Luxury 4WD listings

Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance combined with all-wheel drive capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $55,460 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 13 city / 19 hwy
• Inventory: 166 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Sport AWD listings

Sport Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury experience with all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $59,871 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 13 city / 19 hwy
• Inventory: 137 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Sport Platinum AWD listings

Premium Luxury Platinum AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium Luxury Platinum AWD is the pick for shoppers who want top-tier luxury and advanced technology in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $55,358 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 13 city / 19 hwy
• Inventory: 53 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Premium Luxury Platinum AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium Luxury 4WD

With 1,195 active listings, the Premium Luxury 4WD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium Luxury 4WD listings

Best Budget Option — Luxury RWD

At $47,165 avg market price — below the lineup median of $53,563 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Luxury RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Luxury RWD

The Luxury RWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup at 14 city / 20 hwy MPG.

Browse Luxury RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade cost?

Prices have softened 9.62% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,494 listings available, which gives you a meaningful pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade a good car?

Yes — with a 5/5 user rating and an 8.17/10 expert rating, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade lands strongly with both owners and our testers. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its technology, build quality, and stylish design, and many see it as a major improvement over earlier versions. The overview also points to a great ride quality and impressive technology, which lines up with the expert notes on its sophisticated cabin and strong road manners. The main trade-offs are that advanced safety features are not standard and fuel economy is poor. With its full-size luxury-SUV mission, it makes the most sense if you want a big, upscale hauler with a strong presence and plenty of tech.

The market also looks reasonably supportive, with 39.8% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback emphasizes that the Escalade feels like a significant improvement over previous models, with technology, build quality, and styling all drawing praise. The expert drive notes also point to a refined, well-controlled ride and a powertrain that feels strong and composed, which supports the impression that this is a vehicle you can count on for daily use and long trips. Cadillac also includes a turbo-diesel engine at no additional cost, which can be a useful ownership perk if you want an alternative to the standard V8.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a high-priced, high-tech luxury SUV can be expensive to keep in top shape if prior maintenance was neglected.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a careful inspection of the cabin electronics, driver-assistance features, and any signs of wear on a vehicle that may have seen heavy family or road-trip use. Because this is a premium SUV with a lot of technology, condition matters as much as mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Luxury trim is the least expensive entry point, but it comes with black leatherette and fewer upgrades than the Premium Luxury and Sport trims. Premium Luxury and Sport add more standard leather and more upscale interior treatments, while Platinum versions bring the most luxurious materials.
• Powertrain: You can get a standard 6.2-liter V8 or a no-cost 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder. The V8 is the stronger emotional choice, while the diesel is the efficiency-minded alternative.
• Safety package: Every Escalade includes forward collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking below 50 mph, front and rear pedestrian detection, Teen Driver, parking assist sensors, a surround-view camera, and a rear-seat reminder. Premium Luxury and Sport add blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance, while the Driver Assist Tech Package adds higher-speed forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: The cabin centers on a 38-inch curved-glass OLED display setup, with a 14.2-inch instrumentation screen and a 16.9-inch infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the system includes AR navigation and a standard 19-speaker AKG premium sound system.
• Fuel efficiency: The V8 is rated at 16 mpg in combined driving, and the turbo-diesel is described as potentially reaching up to 27 mpg in combined driving in a related application.

Which 2021 Cadillac Escalade trim should I buy?

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is offered in 4 trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• Luxury: This is the entry point, but it is the least richly equipped version and comes with black leatherette and fewer upgrades. It makes sense if you want the Escalade experience at the lowest starting price, but most shoppers will likely want to move up.
• Premium Luxury: This is the best-value trim for most buyers because it adds a more upscale feel and was the test vehicle’s configuration. It also unlocks more of the Escalade’s luxury character and pairs well with available upgrades.
• Sport: Choose this if you want the blacked-out appearance and a more aggressive look. It sits alongside Premium Luxury in the lineup and brings the same general upscale mission with a different visual personality.
• Platinum: This is the top luxury choice, with semi-aniline premium leather, leather-wrapped interior panels, and a simulated suede headliner. It is the trim for you if you want the most lavish Escalade experience.

Premium Luxury and Sport also bring standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance, while the Driver Assist Tech Package adds even more advanced safety tech.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 39.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,494 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.62% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $54,971, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade's resale value?

The current average of $54,971 sits slightly below last year's $60,822.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, equipment, and how well the vehicle has been maintained. Well-kept examples with desirable trim and strong equipment should hold up better than neglected ones, especially in a luxury segment where buyers are picky.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade safe?

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade earns Good ratings from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Cadillac equips every Escalade with forward collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking below 50 mph, front and rear pedestrian detection, Teen Driver, front and rear parking assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a rear-seat reminder. Premium Luxury and Sport trims add blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance, while the optional Driver Assist Tech Package adds higher-speed forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control.

One caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so you need to pay attention to trim and package content if safety tech matters to you most.

Should I buy a 2021 Cadillac Escalade or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 39.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.62% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesign brings a 38-inch OLED display and available Super Cruise, giving this year a major tech advantage.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $60,177, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $54,971 average.
• It adds standard lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning on the base trim.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and a fresh redesign. If you want the newest version and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is worth a look for its added standard safety content on the base trim.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.