Background: The second time around looks to be the charm for Cadillac’s full-size, four-door sport utility vehicle. When Cadillac, the luxury vehicle division of General Motors, first debuted Escalade in the fall of 1998 as a 1999 model year offering, the arrival was more reaction than action. General Motors key domestic rival, Ford Motor Co., unveiled its upscale Lincoln Navigator sport utility with plenty of interior room and above-average profit margin in the fall of 1997 with brisk sales results. Not to be left stuck in the mud, the folks at GM set out quickly to answer the challenge. What GM ended up with was a temporary quick fix.
Its GMC truck division had just brought out a luxury-appointed Yukon Denali sport utility in the fall of 1997. Denali was built off the full-size platform of the Chevrole C/K pickup truck. General Motors than borrowed from Peter to pay Paul by reallocating some of these large SUVs to the Cadillac side of the ledger. After rebadging these vehicles, adding its OnStar communication system and some interior nuances, trucks were sent racing to Cadillac outlets. Cadillac dealers now had a full-size SUV in their model lineup, but it may not have been as refined as dealers desired. When it arrived in 1998, Escalade had the distinction of being the first truck entry into the Cadillac lineup in the division’s 90-plus year history.
Enter the 2002 incarnation, which hit dealers this past winter; an SUV finally worthy of the Cadillac name. While the 2002 eight-passenger continues sharing an automotive platform with the GMC Denali and sister vehicle, Chevrolet Tahoe, distinctions are much more apparent and delve deeper into suspension and riding characteristics. General Motors, the world’s largest automaker, assembles Escalade in Silao, Mexico and Arlington, Texas.
Engine/Trim levels: The second-generation Escalade brandishes more varieties than its predecessor. Escalade is now available in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the first generation was a four-wheel-drive exclusive product. The 2002 Escalade also offers two engine selections dependent on the drivetrain selected. The two-wheel, rear-wheel drive incorporates GM’s 5.3-liter, V-8 engine generating 285 horsepower.
For those opting for more power, the all-wheel-drive version incorporates GM’s Vortec 6.0-liter high-output engine cranking out 345 horsepower. This engine is similar to what’s found in GM’s heavy-duty three-quarter and one-ton pickup trucks. By comparison, the Lincoln Navigator SUV features a 5.4-liter, V-8 engine delivering 300 horsepower in both its two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions. The larger Cadillac engine is capable of towing 8,500 pounds, one of the best in its class. The 5.3-liter version pulls 6,600 pounds. Both engines are connected to a heavy-duty, four-speed automatic transmission.
But the 2002 Escalade may be saving the best for last. Sometime during November, the Escalade EXT is scheduled to reach dealers. This Escalade derivative features five passenger seating and a flat bed extension in back, similar to the Lincoln Blackwood SUV/pickup hybrid. But the EXT also features the same transformation capabilities as the all-new 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. Both include a removable rear window and midgate section that extends the flatbed region into the rear seating area for increased versatility. The EXT version is built on a different, larger platform (the huge Chevrolet Avalanche platform) than the eight-passenger Escalade.
Price: Cadillac supplied the Daily Herald with an all-wheel-drive, eight-passenger Escalade with the more potent 6.0-liter, V-8 engine. Pricing began at $50,285. The only extra in our test vehicle was a power glass sunroof ($1,550). The bottom line including $700 destination charge added up to $52,535. Two-wheel drive Escalades start at $47,290. By comparison a four-wheel-drive exclusive 2002 Lexus LX 470 SUV with a 4.7-liter, V-8 engine starts at $61,855 while a four-wheel-drive 2002 Lincoln Navigator lists at $47,965. Like Escalade, Navigator is also available in two-wheel-drive editions.
Standard equipment: As with most luxury-appointed vehicles, the posh Escalade comes with many features standard while keeping options to a minimum. Included with the price of admission are: electronic climate control, power locks, Bose premium stereo system with compact disc player, power outside mirrors, cruise control, power windows, rear-window defroster, roof rack, leather and wood steering wheel, front fog lights and intermittent front and rear wipers. The small option list consists of a power sunroof and upgraded clearcoat paint.
Interior: One of the newer nuances noticeable to Escalade faithful is a redesigned, analog intensive instrument panel with aluminum trimmed circular gauges. The only digital displays are a horizontal gear shift indicator and trip odometer. A central speedometer with readings up to 120 miles per hour is flanked by four smaller gauges to the right and more to the left. Each of the four doors includes large, chrome interior handles. The driver’s door is home to power window, lock and outside mirror controls along with a button activating the driver’s heated seats.
A headlight activation dial is on the far left of the dashboard. Secondary radio controls are mounted on the steering wheel. Cruise control and front windshield wiper functions are on the turn signal stalk. The rear window wiper activates via a dashboard button. The gear shift lever is connected to the steering column’s right side. In between the large, front bucket seats is a huge storage bin hinged on the right side. Directly in front are two, side-by-side permanently affixed beverage holders capable of handling multi-sized cups. Wood trim adorns the center console and other parts of the interior. The parking brake is foot-operated.
The lower central dashboard region has some updated nuances, including a circular, analog clock (the type with a face and hands) to the right of a square, digital information center with fuel and other information. Below is a multi-feed compact disc player capable of swallowing up to six discs, eliminating the need of the magazine-type holder; a nice touch. Also nearby are OnStar buttons connecting occupants with the outside world. Three newly designed round knobs monitor fan speed, temperature and direction.
Near the top is GM’s traditional stereo and cassette player set up with large preset buttons and other easy to grab controls. Three knobs controlling rear seat ventilation are found up near the rear-view mirror and map lights. Like most SUVs on the road, both side-view mirrors breakaway, or fold in if brushed against other more stationary objects. But Escalade goes one better, with the push of a dashboard button, both the heated driver-side and passenger-side mirrors mechanically fold before possibly encountering a potential target.
Seating comfort: Another change from the first-generation Escalade is increased seating capacity. Escalade now includes standard third-row seating (except in the upcoming EXT model which seats five) and an eight-passenger capacity. Third-row seats are removable (each weighs 40 pounds) expanding cargo room. The 60/40 split second-row seats have seatbacks that fold flat once seat cushions are prodded forward.
Headrests conveniently flip backwards when rear seatbacks fold forward, eliminating the need of removal and storage; a nice touch. Sandstone-color leather seating comes standard. The first two rows of seats are heated with the front buckets featuring heated backrests and 10-way power settings. The two rear doors are positioned far enough in front of the rear wheels and swing open far enough to allow comfortable entry and exit from the second row. Some SUV rivals incorporate smaller doors closer to the rear wheels reducing entry and exiting comfort. Grab handles are located near the top of the inside center “B” pillars. Second-row travelers also enjoy dual fold-down beverage holders and a music center for pluging in phone jacks.
Maneuvering into the third row requires second row seatbacks first to be folded down. Leg room for those over 6 feet gets compromised in back since the cargo floor is not recessed. The third row is best left for the pre-teen set. Side windows do not open in the back row. Even with the third-row occupied, there is room behind the seat for groceries and other items. Running boards along the bottom are a welcome feature. Since Escalade tends towards the large side, headroom is plentiful throughout.
Exterior: The all-new Cadillac wreath crest emblem adorns the horizontally-slated front grille flanked by large, square, two-tiered headlights. Chrome, strap-like handles adorn all four doors. The round, non-locking fuel door is found on the left rear fender. The 16-inch spare tire stows under the cargo area. Vertical taillights wrap around to the side fenders. The hatchback region opens two ways. The entire door, hinged at the top, lifts up as one unit once the large, flush-mounted, square handle is pulled up. For quick trips into the cargo area, the glass window (with standard rear wiper) opens independently with the push of a button. Seventeen-inch, all-weather radial tires adorn seven-spoke alloy wheel covers.
Target market: Escalade is important to Cadillac because the SUV brings a new breed of customer to the showroom. Thirteen percent of current Escalade buyers are under the age of 35 while 36 percent are women. Household income falls into the $125,000 range.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 116.0 inches
Overall length: 198.9 inches
Overall width: 78.9 inches
Overall height: 76.5 inches
Weight: 5,333 pounds
Safety features: Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions include dual front air bags, front side-mounted air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, daytime running lights, remote keyless entry, engine immobilizer, remote vehicle anti-theft system and rear parking sensors emitting a beeping sound when traveling in reverse and approaching objects close to the traveling path. Escalade also features OnStar, General Motors’ in-vehicle communication system linking occupants via a three-button hands-free phone system with a staffed center in Troy, Mich.
Fuel economy: If fuel economy is high on your priority list, look elsewhere. The two- wheel drive version generates 14 miles per gallon in city travel and 17 m.p.g. highway. The larger Vortec 6000 engine generates 12 m.p.g. in the city and 16 m.p.g. highway. The tank holds 26 gallons of fuel. Premium gasoline is recommended in the larger Vortc 6000 engine.
Final thoughts: For such a large, heavy vehicle, Escalade handles very well on the open road. Power assist steering and self-leveling suspension maneuvers the big vehicle easily and precisely. The new third-row seats are an asset for families looking for a multi-seat vehicle outside the minivan domain.
The 6.0-liter, V-8 engine is one of the most potent in its class, so if power is a priority, Escalade should be on your short list. It took a couple of years, but Escalade is now a worthy competitor in the large, luxury-appointed SUV category with the Lexus LX 470 and Lincoln Navigator as primary targets. The only negative is the 12 miles per gallon mileage estimates around town, which could become more if pump prices escalate any more; competitors share the same concern. |
