Reviewed for Motor Matters Syndicate
by Dan Lyons

Escalade is the reigning rock star of SUV’s, but no one was more surprised by its success than its maker. When Cadillac rolled the first one out in model year 1999, they were rolling the dice, too. To some people, the idea of a truck from the long-time, luxury car maker was a bigger stretch than the longest limo.

The first surprise was that Escalade was so popular. The second shocker was who it was popular with. The average, large SUV finds favor with families who need a truck that carries people, hauls cargo, tows heavy and doesn’t complain if the roads aren’t paved. Escalade hit these marks, but it snagged a secondary market, too. These buyers were sold on style, not substance. The big Cadillac was embraced by a high profile collection of musicians, athletes and the otherwise hip and well-heeled. Soon, Escalade’s big, chrome grille was seen grinning its way through more music videos than the top pop stars.

Fame is fleeting, so they say, but nine model years later, Escalade is still the style king of the sport utility set. The 2007 version emerges with a new design, and added flash. The familiar face is dominated by a bright, egg crate grille, set between tall, wedge-like headlights. Escalade’s side view shows a steeper windshield slope, and a set of chrome fender vents. Down below, integrated running boards are flanked by optional, 22” chrome rims. In back, tall, LED taillights wrap around the SUV’s corners, while a wide, LED CHMSL stretches across the rear roof edge. Escalade’s street smart style continues to single-handedly keep Cadillac on the radar screen of younger buyers.

All this fashion hides Escalade’s dirty little secret. It doesn’t mind getting dirty. Beneath the bling, the largest Cadillac is well suited to a variety of typical, SUV activities. All Escalades are All Wheel Drive. The system is fully automatic, requiring no input from the driver. While a big, upscale sport utility is not likely to go trail hopping, Escalade is fully capable of tackling muddy, rutted roads, and the four wheel grip adds confidence in winter travel. Escalade is longer and wider this year, and the box frame is fitted with a new, coil-over-shock front suspension and a revamped five-link rear setup. The chassis is stiffer but the suspension is more compliant, so the ride is still smooth. Escalade is too beefy to be a sporty handler, but it’s stable feeling with predictable handling. Onboard electronics like a stability control system with rollover mitigation offer added security on and off road. Drivers must negotiate a blind spot to the right rear, particularly with passengers in place.

Escalade’s interior deftly mixes fashion and function. The materials have a quality look and feel; fit and finish are up to snuff. Drivers peering through the steering wheel (which tilts but doesn’t telescope) take in a new dash view, with gauges backlit in white. The optional Information package ($2,495) adds a large (8”) and legible screen that does double duty. The DVD based navigation system is displayed here, and when you shift to reverse, the view switches to a wide-angle look at what’s behind you. Escalade comfortably seats two adults in both first and second rows. The third row holds two too, though it helps to be agile getting in and out. With a full complement of people on board, the amount of cargo room in back is limited to 16.9 cubic feet. However, once you start folding seats, the numbers rise rapidly. There’s 60.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 108.9 cu. ft. behind row one.

A new motor puts more muscle under foot for 2007. The 6.2 liter V-8 is rated at 403 hp and 417 lb. ft. of torque. Matched to a six speed automatic transmission, it’s a smooth operator, with a throaty exhaust rumble. Escalade can get from zero to sixty in under seven seconds: quite quick for an SUV that weighs in at 5,800 lb. Power to pass is also power to tow, and Escalade can handle a trailer up to 7,400 lb. Of course, you pay for all this power at the pump, where EPA estimates your mileage at 13 city, 19 highway. Cadillac’s traditionally comfortable clientele doesn’t figure to be too bothered by Escalade’s appetite. If not, there’s much to like here. Still the style king of the sport utility segment, it’s also more practical than most of its owners will ever know. In big SUV’s, nobody does fashion and function better than Escalade.

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