Like all other large SUVs
in the General Motors stables (Yukon, Tahoe, Suburban), the most luxurious of
them all, the Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT, also got a major
remake for twenty-o-seven. This remake, like the others, went beyond sheer cosmetics,
down to the very core of the vehicle and what a difference it makes!
On the outside, the ‘Sclade received a more angular look, akin to the CTS, STS and XLR, to make it fit in more at family functions. With a big, imposing grill slotted between stacked headlights and a HUGE Cadillac emblem, you won’t mistake this big Ute for anything other than a Cadillac.
Another major Cadillac styling feature, that is sure to be featured on more Caddies in the years to come, is the vents located on the trailing edge of the front quarter panels. It’s a good look that lends an aire of class and sophistication.
Out back, there’s another HUGE Caddy emblem on the power liftgate along with a longish third brake light atop the liftgate and standard-looking brake lights flanking the tailgate.
As with the other big GM Utes, The windows have the pillar-less look, with the glass flush with the sheet metal above and below. It’s a good look that moves the ‘Sclade into the higher echelons of luxury rides without batting an eye.
Our tester, and all 2007 Escalades for that matter, comes with the 6.2-liter Vortec V8 that features variable valve timing (but not displacement on demand or flex-fuel capability) and is rated at 403 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque. With all that power under foot, the Escalade felt lighter on its toes than we expected and got going in most situations with little drama, thanks in part to the six-speed transmission.
Like any big SUV, the 'Sclade does not like to be hurried around corners, nor does it like undulating pavement. These two items upset this big Caddy like nothing else, except for the high gas prices.
Only once in three days did we need to appease the legal beagles and consent to the “screen of no fun” by hitting OK on the nav system signifying that we understand the dangers of operating the system while driving, which is a nice change as some other systems make you do it every time you get in the car.
Rattles and squeaks did find their way to our ears, surprisingly. The roads that elicited those demons were pocked with frost heaves and small holes, but we definitely were not expecting any sounds like that. We chalked it up to (possibly) being an early production mule with a lot of miles on the odometer.
Not much float, but there was plenty of squatting and diving in most situations. It’s difficult for a vehicle this large and heavy not to obey the laws of physics, but the big Caddy makes the moist of what it has.
Way back in 2003 we tested an Escalade and it topped out at less than the base price for this 2007, my how things have changed. For $56,405.00, you get the basic vehicle (if you can call it basic), which includes the 6.2-liter Vortec V8; six-speed automatic transmission with manual control; road sensing suspension with rear load leveling; traction control; four-wheel ABS; leather; 14-way power front seats with heated cushions and backrests and second row heated seats; Bose 5.1 surround sound audio system with six-disc CD changer/DVD/Mp3 player and XM satellite radio receiver; power liftgate; heated power folding outside mirrors power adjustable pedals; heated washer fluid; airbags all around; Stabilitrak stability control; rear parking assist; Onstar and much more. We're talking almost fully loaded in base trim.
Add the few, but expensive, options ($2995 for the 22-inch chrome wheels; the $2495 information package – rear view camera, navigation system with CD/DVD and Intellibeam, which changes from high to low beams when oncoming or leading traffic is sensed); $1295 for rear seat DVD system; power sliding sunroof for $995; premium paint for $995; the Climate package which includes heated and cooled front seats and heated steering wheel for $625 and a power release second row for $425. Couple these expenses with the $875 destination charge and ou can get a similar Escalade for our as-tested price of $67,105.00.
Our biggest dilemma, then, is whether to buy this 403 horsepower behemoth for $67-large or buy two Pontiac GTO's for about the same price, but with 800 horses between them.
Decisions,
decisions.