All-new Caddy awash in chrome and horsepower

The Cadillac Escalade, new this spring along with the Chevy Tahoe and the GMC Yukon, is the first of several GM vehicles to be based on the body-on-frame GMT9000 platform. 

Having driven all three versions of the full-size GM SUV, it’s easy to get seduced by the glitz, chrome and upgrades on the Escalade and overlook or rationalize its shortcomings.

I tested an amply equipped Escalade that included a sunroof ($995), 18-inch chrome wheels ($795), heated/cooled seats and heated steering wheel ($695), and second-row power-folding seats ($425).  Total price:  $60,120 including the $875 shipping charge.

The newly designed, third-generation Escalade is a very large vehicle and you won’t forget it while driving or when you are refueling the 26-gallon gas tank, a task that will cost you a fistful of $20 bills. While most Toyota and Honda owners stretch every drop of gas they use, that doesn’t seem to be a concern for those capable of plunking down 60 grand or more for their vehicle of choice.

Under the ’07 Escalade’s redesigned hood is a new 6.2-liter, 403-horsepower V-8 engine and 417 pound-feet of torque.  (The same engine is available in the GMC Yukon Denali but horsepower is 380).  Oddly, the Escalade does not offer the variable-displacement system, found in the Tahoe, which helps conserve fuel by shutting down four cylinders when they’re not needed.

Mileage is rated at 13 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway.  I drove over 700 miles of mostly interstate and the Escalade’s trip computer calculated my mileage at a paltry 14.4 miles per gallon. I imagine around-town driving to fare even worse. However, I was impressed with the smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission.

The Escalade is offered in three distinct models: the standard Escalade; the longer, suburban-sized ESV; and the Escalade EXT, Cadillac’s version of the Chevrolet Avalanche, an SUV/pickup truck combination. For now the standard Escalade is only available in all-wheel drive with a two-wheel drive version coming later this fall.

The new exterior shares styling cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept vehicle of a few years ago.  The massive grille, with its oversized wreath-and-crest logo, is bordered by triple-stacked HID headlamps.  And, of course there’s the chrome (faux) “ventiports” above the front wheels that seem shamelessly borrowed from Range Rover. 

Out back, the power rear liftgate prominently displays more chrome with a repeat of the oversized Cadillac crest logo. 

The Escalade’s leather-clad interior will accommodate six, seven or eight occupants, depending on seating options.  A center console separates second-row bucket seats with a three-passenger, third-row bench behind it.  A second row bench is a no-cost option. 

Unlike those in the Ford Expedition, Escalade’s third-row seats do not fold flat or under the floor, rather they just tumble forward against the back of the second row and expose the hardware that holds the sets in place. You have to completely remove the third row to maximize cargo space and hopefully you won’t need the seats once you arrive at your destination. With the seats in place, cargo space is at a premium and certainly not enough to accommodate six or seven passengers.

The third-row is best suited for kids because the seat bottoms rest against the floor, so there’s no place for your legs. The second row seats feature an optional power flip-and-fold operation with the touch of a button. 

The Escalade’s interior is offered in two color schemes. The mocha/cashmere combination  is a thing of beauty. My silver Escalade was finished in soft ebony leather. However, the  plastic wood trim on the dash, steering wheel and door panels looked cheap and not at all convincing.

Dash gauges are backlit white on black.  I liked the cool-looking retro-style square analog clock on the upper-center of the dash.  Nice touches include the standard remote start to cool the cabin off in summer or warm it up in winter, power adjustable pedals, the Bose surround sound audio system, and standard XM satellite radio (a monthly service fee is charged after the first three months). 

A few things that disappointed me: the steering column doesn’t telescope, just tilts manually, rear side windows only lower halfway, and the DVD entertainment system isn’t standard.  Overall fit and finish are much improved with nice detailing, but I did notice some ill-fitting plastic panels in the third-seat and B-pillar areas. 

The ride is comfortable and the cabin quiet.  Handling is somewhat clumsy and the brakes, while improved from past Escalades, are still just adequate.

Standard safety features include GM’s “StabiliTrak” stability control with a rollover sensor, rear parking alert, and side- and head-curtain airbags for all rows of seats. 

Overall, the new Escalade is a significant improvement over the previous generation, especially regarding the interior that has more in common with luxury sedans than truck-like SUVs. But if you can live without all the chrome and “bling” that goes along with the Escalade name, I think the Tahoe and Yukon are a better choice for the money.