Cadillac Escalade Review

Although the Cadillac Escalade wasn't the first luxury SUV sold in the U.S. market, it was the first light truck in the history of the Cadillac brand. Early versions drew plenty of criticism, but in retrospect, the Escalade deserves much credit for being the vehicle that transformed Cadillac's image from traditional and geriatric to youthful and flamboyant. Now in its third generation, the Escalade is still the best-selling full-size luxury SUV.
Much of the Escalade's appeal is rooted in its over-the-top attitude. Generously proportioned inside and out, this sport-utility vehicle has a bold and angular face, exaggerated wreath-and-crest badging and chrome trim everywhere you look. It's a popular choice among buyers who want to customize their vehicle, and Escalades with oversized aftermarket wheels are commonplace.

There's no subtlety under the hood, either, as the current truck's 6.2-liter V8 delivers an imposing exhaust rumble. Although quicker than many competitors, the Escalade often falls behind in refinement, from its handling dynamics to its build and materials quality. Cadillac has taken steps to address these shortcomings on the third-generation model, but there's no question the Escalade is primarily for buyers who like their SUVs large, brash and unapologetically American.

Current Cadillac Escalade

Redesigned for the 2007 model year, the third-generation Cadillac Escalade is the most modern and luxurious version to date. A stiff, fully boxed frame and a coil-spring front suspension provide a smoother ride than in years past, and handling is more controlled and predictable. In addition, a rack and pinion steering system makes it easier to manage in tight spaces. However, with a curb weight of almost 5,700 pounds, it's still a stretch to call the Escalade SUV nimble.

Escalade option's

It's not a stretch to call it quick, though, as its all-aluminum 6.2-liter V8 delivers 403 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration in virtually any situation. A six-speed automatic transmission handles the gearchanges and even offers a manual-shift mode for those drivers willing to row through the Escalade's old-fashioned column shifter. The transmission routes power to the rear wheels on two-wheel-drive models or all four on all-wheel-drive models. As with the previous generation, there's no option to get four-wheel drive with low-range gearing, as Cadillac has equipped the Escalade for street duty.

Inside the Escalade

Inside, the Escalade no longer feels like a hastily reupholstered Chevy Tahoe. The wood trim isn't real this time around, but it tastefully accents a sleek dash trimmed in solid-quality vinyl. Blue-needled electroluminescent gauges are unique to the Escalade, and they match the graphics on the center screen that handles audio, navigation and rear backup monitor functions. Escalades have supple leather upholstery as standard and can be configured to seat six, seven or eight passengers. A power-folding second-row seat option eases access to the third row. The Escalade also boasts considerable cargo capacity, though there's still no fold-flat third-row seat.

Past Cadillac Escalade Models

If you're interested in buying a used Cadillac Escalade, you'll want to look at the second-generation model sold from 2002 to 2006. This is the Escalade that restored Cadillac's reputation with younger buyers, as it was the first application of the company's showy "Art and Science" design language. This Escalade had a 345-hp, 6.0-liter V8 that made it one of the most potent SUVs on the road. It also handled better than one would typically expect of a vehicle this size. The cabin had a somewhat cut-rate feel, but between all the soft leather and wood appliqués, many buyers found this easy to overlook.

Escalade

No Escalade was offered during the 2001 model year, but the original version was on sale for 1999 and 2000. This Escalade was a rush job, as Cadillac needed a luxury SUV to fend off Lincoln's Navigator while working on the 2002 model. Aside from its Cadillac badges, upgraded leather and Zebrano wood, there is nothing to distinguish the original Escalade from GM's lower-line SUVs. Acceleration, braking and handling are sub par on this model, and we'd advise you to avoid it.

2007 Cadillac Escalade - Road Tests

When cultural historians get around to sorting out the golden age of bling, we’d bet big money this vehicle will emerge as the era’s poster car. It’s not a distinction Cadillac set out to achieve, and the term makes at least some folks from the engineering and product-planning ranks wince when they hear it. But there’s no denying the Escalade’s popularity with various high-visibility individuals — professional athletes, X-gamers, pop stars — and there’s no denying that, as a consequence, the new Escalade had to upstage the bling quotient of its predecessor.
Looks like mission accomplished to us. Check the bigger grille, inspired, according to the divisional publicity mill, by the Cadillac Sixteen show car of 2003. Check the “tri-element headlamps,” with their high-intensity-discharge lights. Check the “front fender vent ports,” which neither vent nor port. Check the “layers of chrome accents.” Check the optional 22-inch chrome alloy wheels. Got bling? Oh, yeah.-->
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Of course, Cadillac wants us to look past any perception of pandering to the 15-minutes-of-fame folks and look at vehicle virtues. Of which there are many — for a vehicle of this type. The foundation, for example, is the new GMT900 full-size SUV and truck platform, a whole order of magnitude stiffer than its predecessor — 49 percent improved in torsional rigidity, according to Cadillac. That sounds like the difference between linguine al dente and the Brooklyn Bridge, but a little time at the big Caddy’s helm does seem to vindicate this assertion. Firmer underpinnings, a wider track (plus three inches front, one inch rear), a new coil-spring front-suspension system, stiffened suspension mounting points, a new power rack-and-pinion steering system, revised four-wheel drive, and an upgraded braking system combine to make this Escalade noticeably more responsive than the previous edition, with shorter stopping distances.
But let us not confuse “noticeably more responsive” with nimble. We’re talking agility distinctions among members of a herd of elephants, perceivable within the group but hard to discern by the gazelles prancing around the periphery.
The chassis and suspension enhancements are easier to appreciate in the realm of ride quality. Cadillac publicity materials refer to this trait as an “unwavering ride,” which conjures up some intriguing images. Let’s say taut but supple, with less of the up-and-down motion of the previous generation, which adds up to a stronger sense of control. The Escalade irons out unruly patches of pavement without resorting to the mushy suspension tuning that still afflicts so many big SUVs, and the steering actually lets the driver know what’s going on, a welcome improvement on the overly assisted recirculating-ball system previously employed.


The most tangible dynamic upgrade, though, is one that will be the easiest for customers to appreciate, simply by tramping on the gas pedal. The previous Escalade offered two V-8 engine choices: a 285-hp, 5.3-liter edition in the rear-drive model, and a 6.0-liter version rated for 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. That’s not exactly tepid, but the ’07 Escalade trumps it with a new 6.2-liter all-aluminum cam-in-block (the word pushrod has been banished from the GM lexicon) eight whose increased displacement is enhanced by variable valve timing. Active Fuel Management (formerly known as Displacement on Demand) isn’t a feature yet, but GM says it’s coming. In any case, it adds up to 403 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 417 pound-feet of torque.