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Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle sold by the General Motors Corporation luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division's first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford's 1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only 10 months after it was approved. The standard Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas.
The Escalade was originally based on sister company GMC's Yukon Denali, but was redesigned for the 2002 model year to make its appearance fall more in line with Cadillac's new design theme. The Escalade was not the first Chevrolet-based Cadillac: the first-generation Seville and mid-1980s Cadillac Cimarron were based on entry-level Chevy vehicles (Nova and Cavalier, respectively). As of today, the Escalade ESV (a luxurious Chevy Suburban), especially the Escalade EXT pickup are, together with the Cadillac BLS, the only Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States, since the demise of the German-built Cadillac Catera in 2001. Both the Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT are made in Silao, Mexico.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Cadillac Escalade Review.
Recent Changes
The Escalade will move to the new "GMT900" platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade will be joined by a stretched ESV version as well as a new EXT pickup truck. The 2007 Escalade was the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL, with MVP Hines Ward being awarded one of the first Escalades produced.
Styles and Major Options
Body styles
The Cadillac Escalade comes in three body styles, the regular wagon version, the longer ESV and the EXT pickup truck.
Escalade EXT
The Escalade EXT pickup truck (released alongside its twin, the Chevrolet Avalanche) was introduced in 2002. It features a "Convert-a-Cab" composite pickup bed that can be expanded into the truck's cab through a bottom-hinged door. Like the Avalanche, the EXT has four full-size doors and seating for five. The EXT was only offered with the 6.0L High Output engine. high-intensity discharge headlights were offered for 2003. The Escalade EXT also appears in the movie, "The Matrix Reloaded" along with the CTS in roduct placement ads.
The Escalade EXT was created as a direct competitor to the failed Lincoln Blackwood, a pickup truck based on the Navigator SUV. Currently, it competes with the Lincoln Mark LT, another Navigator-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2006.
Escalade ESV
The extended-length Escalade ESV (based on the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL) was introduced in 2003. The Escalade ESV is also Cadillac's most expensive SUV with prices ranging from $59,680 for a base "Standard" version to $71,050 for a top-of-the-line "Escalade Platinum".
The Escalade line has proven very popular with after-market tuners, who personalize vehicles for usually affluent customers. While such work is not done by the Cadillac factory, much can be ordered through a Cadillac dealer and done by third-party companies. Much like the customized Cadillacs of the 1970s (during the "pimpmobile craze"), popular modifications include larger wheels, increased engine performance and custom paint. Due to its expensive parts and exposure from celebrity ownership, the Escalade has also been proven to be popular with car thieves as well, becoming the most frequently stolen vehicle from 2001-2003 according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.
The Escalade in Pop-Culture
The Escalade has been featured in many hip-hop music videos, and it may have been the reason for Cadillac's recent popularity among the urban demographic. James Gandolfini, who plays the character of "Tony Soprano," drives around New Jersey in an Cadillac Escalade in HBO's , Sopranos. It continues to be popular among younger actors and athletes.
Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Cadillac Escalade can be found at CarsDirect.
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2007 Escalade Trims |
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Escalade 4x2 |
Escalade 4x4 |
Escalade ESV 4x4 |
Escalade EXT 4x4 |
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MSRP |
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$54,725 |
$57,280 |
$59,680 |
$58,990 |
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Invoice |
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$54,045 |
$56,590 |
$53,530 |
$54,210 |
Gas Mileage
While power is absolute, it won't come at the cost of fuel efficiency with the new Escalade. The all new 403-hp 6.2L Vortec V8 VVT engine produces the highest horsepower of any SUV that can seat seven or more passengers, while also offering unsurpassed highway fuel economy in its class.
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages for the 2007 Cadillac Escalade are as follows:
- City: 13 MPG
- Highway: 19 MPG
- Combined: 15 MPG
Reliability
In an online review done by Autos.com, the Cadillac Escalade EXT came in seventh and the Escalade and Escalade ESV tied for eighth.
Safety
All three Escalade trims ranked fifth for safety on Autos.com.
Photos
Colors
Exterior
- Black Raven
- Blue Chip
- Gold Mist
- Quiksilver
- Radiant Branze
- Red E
- White Diamond
- Rip Tide Blue
Interior
- Cashmere
- Ebony
Main Competitors
- Hummer H2 SUV & SUT
- Infiniti QX56
- Land Rover Range Rover
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lexus LX 470
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (and possibly the smaller ML-Class)
Hybrid Models
For more information, see: Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Unique Attributes
Stretching 221.4 inches, the EXT and ESV are two inches longer than a Chevy Suburban, placing them among the longest vehicles on the road.
Resale Values
Criticisms
- The Escalade's high-intensity-discharge lights bother drivers coming toward the vehicle and they irritate those driving immediately in front of it." - Cars.com
- "Towing is rated at 8,000 pounds, which is okay for a small weekend toy. If you need more grunt, the Chevy Avalanche has a more powerful version." - Cars.com
Generations
Third generation (2007–present)
The Escalade uses an all-aluminum 6.2L Vortec V8. The pushrod engine boasts variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. This engine produces 403-hp (301 kW) and 417 ft·lbs (565 N·m). A new six-speed 6L80 Hydra-Matic automatic transmission will be used. The new body boasts a 0.363 drag coefficient, though the large frontal area will hurt aerodynamics.
One major new feature absent from the production vehicle is American Axle's "I-Ride" rear independent suspension module. Instead, a conventional five-link suspension is used.
Production of the redesigned Escalade began at Arlington Assembly in January 2006. It will be priced from $57,280, though the rear wheel drive version at this price will not be produced until August. The more expensive all wheel drive version will be produced first, followed by the long wheelbase ESV and EXT pickup in June.
A special Platinum ESV model will follow in 2007. GM's Active Fuel Management will come in 2008.
The Escalade can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 14 MPG (16.8 L/100 km) in the city and 19 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) on the highway.
Engines:
Second Generation/Origins (2002-2006)
The Escalade was not offered for the 2001 model year, but returned completely redesigned for the 2002 model year. Rear-wheel drive was standard, as was a 5.3L V8, with four-wheel drive and the special High-Output Vortec 6000 6.0L V8 engine as options.
The "StabiliTrak" stability control system was upgraded to a four-wheel version for 2003 and power-adjustable pedals were added. For 2004, 20-inch chrome wheels (also known as "dubs") were offered, and XM satellite radio, second-row bucket seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system were all made standard on all Escalades except the EXT. The 5.3L engine was dropped for 2005 and the OnStar system was upgraded.
Engines:
- 2002-2003 5.3L Vortec 5300 V8, 285-hp (213kW)
- 2004 5.3L Vortec 5300 V8, 295-hp (220 kW)
- 2002-2005 6.0L High-Output Vortec 6000 V8, 345-hp (257kW)
First Generation/Origins (1999-2000)
The first Escalade was very similar to the top Denali trim of the GMC Yukon. It shared all of that truck's exterior panels, which were themselves differentiated at the front from the regular Yukon/Tahoe. Even the wheels were identical, with the GMC center caps replaced by Cadillac crests.
The Escalade also used the same 5.7L Vortec 5700 V8 at 255-hp (190kW). All first-generation Escalades featured all-wheel drive. For 2000, unique vertical rear doors were added.
Worldwide
Design quirks and oddities
Though they differ in body style, the Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT share drivetrains, chassis architecture and styling cues.
Awards
See also
External Links
- GM-Trucks.com
- GMFullSize.com
- Cadillac.com/Esclade
- Cadillac.com/Esc
- Cadillac.com/Ext
- Caddyinfo.com - Cadillac Discussion Forum and Technical Information
