2009 Cadillac Escalade Review

PROS  Lots of passenger and cargo room, Plenty of features and luxury, Reasonable fuel economy

CONS  High step in, Expensive

The Cadillac Escalade is large SUV that competes with the Audi Q7, HUMMER H2, Infiniti QX56, Lexus LX 570, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class for luxury buyers.

Among those rivals, the Escalade has the biggest . . . er . . . bling factor, and strong sales back that up. Unlike the others, the Escalade comes in several body styles all of which are based on the Chevrolet Avalanche, Tahoe or Suburban. The standard Escalade is a four-door wagon that rides on a 116-inch wheelbase. Escalade ESV is a stretched version riding on a 130.0-inch wheelbase. Escalade EXT sits on that longer wheelbase, but comes as a four-door crew cab pickup truck. It also adds a folding mid-gate separating the cab from the cargo bed. The standard Escalade and Escalade ESV seat up to eight passengers while the Escalade EXT seats five.

New for 2009 is the Escalade Hybrid. Along with the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid, the Escalade Hybrid is the first full-hybrid vehicle offered by General Motors. It utilizes a 6.0-liter V8 and a pair of electric motors situated within the conventional four-speed automatic transmission to produce 332 horsepower. Escalade Hybrid features auto-stop to save fuel and can operate in electric-only mode at slow speeds. The electric motors also assist in acceleration when the gas engine is running and charge the batteries when coasting and braking. For now, the Hybrid is only offered in the standard body length and can tow up to 5800 pounds.

Other Escalade models get a 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter is a flex-fuel engine, meaning it can run on either gasoline, E85 ethanol, or a mix of the two. Towing capacity for the conventional Escalade is 8300 pounds when properly equipped.

Both the Escalade and Escalade Hybrid are offered in rear- or all-wheel drive.

Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control with rollover sensor, traction control, tire-pressure monitor, rear-view camera, rear-obstacle-detection system, and dual-front and curtain-side airbags with rollover deployment. Hybrid models add blind-spot alert system. Side airbags are not offered.

Conventional Escalades come standard with (take a deep breath) tri-zone automatic climate controls, power tilt wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, navigation system with voice recognition and traffic information, rear-view camera, leather upholstery, heated front and second-row bucket seats, 14-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment, power-adjustable pedals, memory system, center console, third-row split folding seat, aluminum interior trim, OnStar assistance system with one year service, heated power mirrors with automatic day-night and tilt-down back-up aid, mirror-mounted turn signals, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, remote engine start, Bose AM/FM/CD/MP3 changer, satellite radio, rear radio controls, Bluetooth cell-phone link, rain-sensing intermittent wipers with heated washer fluid, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, power liftgate, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, roof rack, running boards, HID headlights, fog lights, tow hooks, trailer hitch, seven-wire harness, automatic suspension control, load-leveling suspension, full-size spare tire, 265/65R18 tires, and alloy wheels.

Hybrid models add heated and cooled front seats, second-row heated split-folding seat, sunroof, DVD entertainment system, 115-volt power outlet, self-dimming headlights, Magnetic Ride Control Suspension, 285/45R22 tires, and chrome alloy wheels.

Key options include power-retracting running boards, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 22-inch wheels, and a Platinum Edition package. The Platinum Edition package includes blind spot alert, power sunroof, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, cooled and heated cupholders, automatic-folding second-row seats, DVD entertainment system with headrest-mounted screens, power-retractable running boards, self-dimming headlights, unique interior and exterior trim, Magnetic Ride Control Suspension, 285/45R22 tires, chrome alloy wheels.

Prices start at $59,805 for the rear-drive standard model and climb to $73,285 for the all-wheel-drive Hybrid. All carry a $950 destination charge. The Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade Hybrid are manufactured in Arlington, Texas. Escalade EXT is manufactured alongside the Chevrolet Avalanche in Mexico.

Get Up and Go  The theory behind GM's two-mode hybrid system is simple. Add battery-powered electric motors to a conventional powertrain and then use the electric motors to make the conventional engine as efficient as possible. In the Escalade, that includes changing the way the gas engine operates, turning it on and off at the right time, and giving the conventional four-speed automatic a "virtual" continuously variable mode.

The beauty of the GM system is its simplicity. Both motors are placed in the transmission and can operate independently. One motor is designed for low-speed grunt and the other for high-speed assist. The end result is a hybrid vehicle that accelerates much like a conventional vehicle but is up to 40-percent more fuel efficient.

Step on the gas gently and the Escalade Hybrid moves forward silently in electric-only mode, press a little harder and the gas engine does the work, stomp further and the engine and electric motors work together to provide ample acceleration.  

While there's a very slight jolt as the gas engine instantly starts up and a modest whine from the transmission, there's little else telling you that the Escalade hybrid doesn't have a conventional engine and transmission.

Attentive drivers will note that there's very little shifting from the transmission. That's because conventional gear changes are masked by the electric motors. There is a slight rubber-banding from the drivetrain as drivers rotate on and off the throttle. This isn't uncommon in hybrid vehicles and is probably less noticeable in a heavy vehicle like the Escalade versus a lighter hybrid like the Prius.

The EPA estimates for the rear-drive Escalade Hybrid are 20 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. At face value, those numbers aren't that impressive, but keep in mind that the Escalade Hybrid seats up to eight people, tows nearly 6000 pounds, and tips the scales at 5700 pounds. Consider this, the conventional rear-drive Escalade is EPA rated at 12/19 mpg.

Another advantage of the hybrid is the fact that Cadillac says it runs just fine on regular-grade gasoline. While the conventional model and most other large luxury SUVs require more-expensive premium-grade gasoline.

In routine driving, it's easy to average 20 mpg if you pay attention to the fuel-efficiency gauge in the center of the instrument cluster. It helps driver's to find that sweet spot between fuel efficiency and acceleration by moving within a green and red band. The closer the driver keeps the needle to the center, the more fuel efficient the acceleration.

On the Road  Despite its truck-like origins, Escalade Hybrid's ride is very comfortable and controlled. There's a slight extra bit of rebound on bumpy roads that can annoy, but otherwise Escalade is one of the best riding large SUVs around. Longer wheelbase ESV and EXT models have an even smoother ride.

Make no mistake, the Escalade, in any form, is a large vehicle. Obviously, its sheer mass and long wheelbase work against the basic roadholding principles of maneuverability and nimbleness. That said, Escalade Hybrid isn't a chore to drive and seems to shrink in size the time you spend behind the wheel. The steering is nicely boosted at slow speeds and firms up on the highway. It lacks true on-center feel, but otherwise it is quite responsive and accurate.

In low-to-medium-speed lane changes, Escalade feels more confident that you'd expect, with minimal body lean and quick reactions. Step things up a notch and rear-seat passengers are likely to complain of queasiness.

The Hybrid's brakes are a mixed bag. Though they feel natural in initial application, step harder on the pedal and you can feel they hybrid system working to optimize the regenerative braking, which charges the batteries. Thankfully, there's plenty of stopping power.

Escalade isn't as quiet as the class-leading Audi Q7 or Lexus LX. There's a trifle too much wind noise from around the door mirrors and the V8 growls a bit too loudly in hard acceleration. Otherwise the Escalade cruises nearly as quietly as a luxury sedan.

Behind the Wheel  The Escalade's interior is tops in class in terms of functionality and design. It's nicely put together with rich, soft-touch materials that aren't extravagant. The layout is highly functional without being basic.

Gauges are easy to read and well-illuminated at night. All major controls are within easy reach and well marked. The navigation system has large and easy-to-read buttons and simple touch-screen activation.

Hybrid models have a thoughtful energy-flow display that can help people understand how the system is working to save gas. Similar to displays in other hybrids, it doesn't really do anything other than entertain, though.

Front-seat occupants are treated to ample head and leg room and extremely comfortable seats. Power-adjustable pedals are standard, but the steering wheel doesn't have a telescope feature, so some driver's may find it difficult to get comfortable.

Step in is high. Thanks to the high-riding body, forward visibility is great. Large outside mirrors, blind-spot identification, and rear-view camera help shrink blind spots to the rear.

Second-row seats are also quite comfortable and offer plenty of head and leg room for large adults. Third-row seats are somewhat hard and feel three-quarter size, though they do offer enough room for an average-size adult.

Standard-length models have modest room behind the third-row seats, ESV models considerably more space. The EXT with its covered cargo bed and versatile mid-gate makes a lot of sense for people who haul bulky or dirty cargo. Second- and third-row seats fold nearly flat, creating a long and even load floor. Interior storage is above average with lots of open and covered bins throughout the interior.

Bottom Line  Escalade is an exceptional large SUV that's extremely capable and versatile. Its based on solid chassis, has powerful engines, and has a roomy and thoughtful interior.

Escalade Hybrid adds another dimension to an already multitalented lineup. On paper the $20,000 premium over the conventional model seems steep. But consider that there's substantially more standard equipment and a 40% fuel-economy gain and the Hybrid begins to make more sense.

Face it, other than image there's little reason to purchase an Escalade over a nicely equipped Tahoe. Sometimes vanity is enough.