Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The most outstanding feature of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is that it is the largest vehicle in the Escalade line of luxury SUVs, being more than 21 inches longer than the standard Escalade with the ability to seat eight passengers comfortably. At one extreme, it could be considered hazardous to the environment while others will find it a great way to gather friends and drive around on a Saturday night and families will find the extra cargo and towing capacity a boon to vacation travelling. The styling of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is unmistakable Cadillac with a well-trimmed cabin that is quiet and a sophisticated adjustable suspension matched with a powerful V8 engine.
The Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is available in four trim levels. The base level features driver-side mirrors that are power-folding and auto-dimming, 18-inch wheels, parking sensors for the rear and a power tailgate on the outside while the inside is highlighted by heated and ventilated front seats which also have memory functions for the driver settings, climate control with three zones, leather upholstery, heated second row seats, a navigation system and an audio system with 10 Bose surround sound speakers, CD/DVD player, interface for the iPod and a USB port and satellite radio. The next level of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV, the Luxury model, adds a blind-spot warning system, 22-inch wheels and a heated steering wheel. The Premium level offers a rear-seat DVD entertainment system while the high-end Platinum model has LED headlamps, interior accents in wood and aluminum, full leather trim, 22-inch wheels and DVD screens for passengers in the second row.
The engine in the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is a 6.2-liter V8 that can produce 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard and has manual shift capabilities as well as a mode for towing. Full-time all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive is available on the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg combined for the rear-wheel drive models and 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg combined for the all-wheel drive version. The vehicle's towing capacity is 8,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV can seat seven or eight passengers, depending on whether bucket seats or bench seating is used for the second row. Access to the third row is made possible by flipping and folding the second row of seats. With all seats in place the cargo capacity is 46 cubic feet while folding and removing the rear seats expands that capacity to 137 cubic feet of space.
The interior of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is well appointed with wood and metal trim accenting the supple leather. Use of the instrumentation and control panels is easy and intuitive and an advanced navigation system offers real-time traffic and voice activation.
The massiveness of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV requires special handling when maneuvering in tight spots and when braking but enables it to deliver a smooth and comfortable ride due to its adaptive suspension system and powerful V8 engine.
The Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is available in four trim levels. The base level features driver-side mirrors that are power-folding and auto-dimming, 18-inch wheels, parking sensors for the rear and a power tailgate on the outside while the inside is highlighted by heated and ventilated front seats which also have memory functions for the driver settings, climate control with three zones, leather upholstery, heated second row seats, a navigation system and an audio system with 10 Bose surround sound speakers, CD/DVD player, interface for the iPod and a USB port and satellite radio. The next level of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV, the Luxury model, adds a blind-spot warning system, 22-inch wheels and a heated steering wheel. The Premium level offers a rear-seat DVD entertainment system while the high-end Platinum model has LED headlamps, interior accents in wood and aluminum, full leather trim, 22-inch wheels and DVD screens for passengers in the second row.
The engine in the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is a 6.2-liter V8 that can produce 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard and has manual shift capabilities as well as a mode for towing. Full-time all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive is available on the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg combined for the rear-wheel drive models and 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg combined for the all-wheel drive version. The vehicle's towing capacity is 8,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV can seat seven or eight passengers, depending on whether bucket seats or bench seating is used for the second row. Access to the third row is made possible by flipping and folding the second row of seats. With all seats in place the cargo capacity is 46 cubic feet while folding and removing the rear seats expands that capacity to 137 cubic feet of space.
The interior of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV is well appointed with wood and metal trim accenting the supple leather. Use of the instrumentation and control panels is easy and intuitive and an advanced navigation system offers real-time traffic and voice activation.
The massiveness of the Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV requires special handling when maneuvering in tight spots and when braking but enables it to deliver a smooth and comfortable ride due to its adaptive suspension system and powerful V8 engine.
