CD Road Test Review: 2007 Cadillac Escalade

[TahoeMikeZ71]

http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...-escalade.html


Road Test Review: 2007 Cadillac Escalade



Maybe you thought the last generation was too subtle?

BY TONY SWAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN J. SEGAL
May 2006

When cultural historians get around to sorting out the golden age of bling, we’d bet big money this vehicle will emerge as the era’s poster car. It’s not a distinction Cadillac set out to achieve, and the term makes at least some folks from the engineering and product-planning ranks wince when they hear it. But there’s no denying the Escalade’s popularity with various high-visibility individuals — professional athletes, X-gamers, pop stars — and there’s no denying that, as a consequence, the new Escalade had to upstage the bling quotient of its predecessor.
Looks like mission accomplished to us. Check the bigger grille, inspired, according to the divisional publicity mill, by the Cadillac Sixteen show car of 2003. Check the “tri-element headlamps,” with their high-intensity-discharge lights. Check the “front fender vent ports,” which neither vent nor port. Check the “layers of chrome accents.” Check the optional 22-inch chrome alloy wheels. Got bling? Oh, yeah.


Of course, Cadillac wants us to look past any perception of pandering to the 15-minutes-of-fame folks and look at vehicle virtues. Of which there are many — for a vehicle of this type. The foundation, for example, is the new GMT900 full-size SUV and truck platform, a whole order of magnitude stiffer than its predecessor — 49 percent improved in torsional rigidity, according to Cadillac. That sounds like the difference between linguine al dente and the Brooklyn Bridge, but a little time at the big Caddy’s helm does seem to vindicate this assertion. Firmer underpinnings, a wider track (plus three inches front, one inch rear), a new coil-spring front-suspension system, stiffened suspension mounting points, a new power rack-and-pinion steering system, revised four-wheel drive, and an upgraded braking system combine to make this Escalade noticeably more responsive than the previous edition, with shorter stopping distances.
But let us not confuse “noticeably more responsive” with nimble. We’re talking agility distinctions among members of a herd of elephants, perceivable within the group but hard to discern by the gazelles prancing around the periphery.
The chassis and suspension enhancements are easier to appreciate in the realm of ride quality. Cadillac publicity materials refer to this trait as an “unwavering ride,” which conjures up some intriguing images. Let’s say taut but supple, with less of the up-and-down motion of the previous generation, which adds up to a stronger sense of control. The Escalade irons out unruly patches of pavement without resorting to the mushy suspension tuning that still afflicts so many big SUVs, and the steering actually lets the driver know what’s going on, a welcome improvement on the overly assisted recirculating-ball system previously employed.
The most tangible dynamic upgrade, though, is one that will be the easiest for customers to appreciate, simply by tramping on the gas pedal. The previous Escalade offered two V-8 engine choices: a 285-hp, 5.3-liter edition in the rear-drive model, and a 6.0-liter version rated for 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. That’s not exactly tepid, but the ’07 Escalade trumps it with a new 6.2-liter all-aluminum cam-in-block (the word pushrod has been banished from the GM lexicon) eight whose increased displacement is enhanced by variable valve timing. Active Fuel Management (formerly known as Displacement on Demand) isn’t a feature yet, but GM says it’s coming. In any case, it adds up to 403 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 417 pound-feet of torque.

More @ link: http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...-escalade.html

[Mrbowtie]

GM can't win. They liked the 6 speed but asked wether it's worth the decreased towing capacity. 7400 pounds versus the 8100 pounds for prev. gen.
Last time I checked not too many boats weigh more than 6000lbs and its only 700lb difference, talk about bias. Its unreal GM gets hammered even when they offer best in class, and this Caddi is best in class.

Even with reviews like this I think people can see for themselves just how cool this truck is and I wish I can drive one. I am seeing alot of new Escalades here in Jersey and I have yet to see one tow a boat.

[jro4566]

They seems to really like it, so I don't see what's the problem. And may I remind you that this is the magazine that says the SRX is STILL the best midsize luxury SUV out there...

[ZvetteGuy]

Originally Posted by Mrbowtie

GM can't win. They liked the 6 speed but asked wether it's worth the decreased towing capacity. 7400 pounds versus the 8100 pounds for prev. gen.
Last time I checked not too many boats weigh more than 6000lbs and its only 700lb difference, talk about bias. Its unreal GM gets hammered even when they offer best in class, and this Caddi is best in class.

Even with reviews like this I think people can see for themselves just how cool this truck is and I wish I can drive one. I am seeing alot of new Escalades here in Jersey and I have yet to see one tow a boat.

With all the 'Slades that I see pulling massive trailers and boats and travel trailers.... this is going to be awful considering the low tow ratings... anyhow, since I was joking on that--I'll move on...

I see a lot of the '07 Tahoes here in the Phoenix area but I haven't seen much save a few 'Slades prancing around town... what gives?! How about anyone else... how's it looking in your part of town... any 'Slades?!

[Murrow]

Originally Posted by ZvetteGuy

I see a lot of the '07 Tahoes here in the Phoenix area but I haven't seen much save a few 'Slades prancing around town... what gives?! How about anyone else... how's it looking in your part of town... any 'Slades?!

In Miami, new Escalades are all over the place... just saw a new ESV on the street a few minutes ago. See some Tahoes around too, but almost never a new Yukon.

[01cavalier]

Like anyone buys an Escalade for towing anything that heavy. For all practical purposes, the 6-speed will do much better for it.

[Driveshaft]

Originally Posted by ZvetteGuy

I see a lot of the '07 Tahoes here in the Phoenix area but I haven't seen much save a few 'Slades prancing around town... what gives?! How about anyone else... how's it looking in your part of town... any 'Slades?!

I've seen about 5 new Escalades...about the same Yukon's, more Tahoes, and surprisingly, I've seen the most Suburbans of the new 900's.

[jro4566]

The new Escalades are also all over the place here in the upper-middle class to upper class areas of the Metroplex. However, I'm yet to see more than one Denali on the road. I've seen so many Tahoes with the new 20" chrome wheels, but so few Yukons and only one Denali.

[TuffG929]

Originally Posted by Murrow

In Miami, new Escalades are all over the place... just saw a new ESV on the street a few minutes ago. See some Tahoes around too, but almost never a new Yukon.

Really? NYC is just crawling with last gen Platinum Editions with a few '07 models here and there.

[Ultra Magnus]

There are TONS of them here. But being the midwest, that doesnt surprise me. But people here do tow really big boats with them. But I also see a lot of the ridiculously rich with HD Duramax Sierras/Silverados.

[LazyGeneral]

Yea, lots of Escalades here in Toronto as well. In fact, I think I see more of them than I do of the others (but I do spend most of my time right in the downtown, where cars tend to be very expensive or very cheap, but not much in the middle).

[Squachy]

Originally Posted by jro4566

The new Escalades are also all over the place here in the upper-middle class to upper class areas of the Metroplex. However, I'm yet to see more than one Denali on the road. I've seen so many Tahoes with the new 20" chrome wheels, but so few Yukons and only one Denali.

Maybe cuz the Yukon is pretty fugly

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by Squachy

Maybe cuz the Yukon is pretty fugly

Have you seen the Yukon and Yukon Denali in person? They look alot better in person than pics.

[Gm786]

It's one sweet SUV. I've seen a few around where I live and I must say that it's one sharp looking SUV.

[megeebee]

Why do they keep harping on the "bling" thing????? The new Escalade is, for its size, fairly restrained in appearance. The grille is more elegant and far less bright than the one it replaced. The side view is almost perfectly clean compared to the last ones clad-a-thon. The only chrome is the side moulding, the grille header, and the big piece over the license plate. The headlamp units are bright, and maybe they seem more pronouced on a black background. Maybe its the wheels that make it seem gaudy? Anyway, the Denali has at least as much bright work, if not more. Look at the grille of the GMC. A big chrome fence! I wonder if they'll use this terminology on the new Navigator this fall?