If you like your SUV to be extra-large and luxurious, Cadillac's Escalade ESV should be at the top of your list. The Escalade ESV is the roomiest, most powerful full-size luxury SUV available. With an overall length of 221.4 inches, the Escalade ESV is 22 inches longer than its Escalade stable mate. And because it's an Escalade, the ESV adopts the line's unmistakably Cadillac styling and Escalade's exclusive 345-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 engine. The Escalade ESV shares the same bold exterior shape and commanding road presence of the Escalade and Escalade EXT. Like all Escalades, the aggressive front-end is the vehicle's most distinctive exterior feature, distinguished by a large Cadillac wreath and crest and Cadillac's signature egg-crate grille. High intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with chrome bezels deliver a jewel-like appearance, and are integrated with rectangular parking lamps and turn signals. Inside, extra details like the prominently placed Bvlgari-designed analog clock and the exceptionally soft and supportive Nuance leather seating surfaces might make you feel as though you're sitting in your favorite recliner at home, and not behind the wheel of an extra-large truck. The Escalade ESV is loaded with amenities. Standard features include tri-zone climate control, a multifunction driver information center, second-row captain's chairs, OnStar, XM Satellite radio, power-adjustable pedals, a powerful Bose audio system, a Road Sensing suspension system and StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction control. Options include a DVD navigation system, a rear seat DVD entertainment system, a second-row bench seat that increases passenger capacity to eight, a sunroof and chrome wheels. And for those that want an even more distinctive ESV, a Platinum edition is being added. The Platinum edition includes more wood and chrome trim to the interior, a dual screen DVD system, a chrome grille and a lowered suspension finished off with 20-inch chrome wheels. Powering the all-wheel drive Escalade ESV is a 6.0-liter V8 that makes 345 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. This extra-large SUV accelerates very quickly and features a 7,700 lb. towing capacity (7,300 lb. for Platinum edition). The Escalade ESV is surprisingly fast. We were impressed with how quickly our Escalade ESV tester got up to speed, especially from a stop. We also liked the smooth and quiet ride. Thanks to the road sensing suspension system, the Escalade ESV has very nice road manners, with little body roll when cornering. And if slippery roads have you worried, the Escalade ESV includes an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system and GM's StabiliTrak Stability System. About the only negatives associated with the ESV are fuel economy and park-ability. This isn't an easy vehicle to parallel park, or maneuver around in through a crowded mall parking lot. My co-tester and I think GM should have included their Quadrasteer system that's offered on the big Chevrolet Suburban. Quadrasteer will make the Escalade ESV much more manageable. Cadillac was thinking about park-ability when they included their Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA), though. With URPA, parking becomes less of a contact sport. It uses audio and visual cues to convey information on the distance of objects behind the vehicle, assisting the driver in rear parking maneuvers. Overall, the Escalade ESV is a very comfortable, luxurious vehicle that provides a pleasurable driving experience. With an overall length of 221.4 inches, the Escalade ESV is 22 inches longer than its Escalade stable mate.
2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Engine: 6.0-liter (345 hp) V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Drive Type: AWD
Fuel Economy: 13 city/17 highway
Base Price: $57,280
As Tested: $62,180 (includes $815 for destination)
Website: www.cadillac.com |
