Great Machines: Automobiles Cadillac Escalade
June 3, 2003
Cadillac is cool again. During the 1970s and ’80s the venerable manufacturer that once touted itself as “the standard of the world” produced a stream of perpetually downsized models that were remarkable more for their oddly baroque designs (remember padded vinyl roofs and opera lights?) than for their quality or performance. It was a given until recently that Cadillacs could not compete head-to-head against German luxury cars. But that has changed. Cadillac has a dramatic new aesthetic—a commendable risk we should applaud the traditionally conservative marque for taking—and even better, the engineering to back it up.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc(); "Cadillac Escalade")
Central to Cadillac’s renaissance, the first Escalade did little to disguise the fact that it differed only in detail from GM’s other full-size SUVs. The newest incarnation continues to share architecture with other divisions, but features unique design and technology that justify its exalted position. To keep the franchise fresh, Cadillac has added the stretched ESV and the EXT pickup. (Click image to enlarge)
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Aside from the two-wheel-drive version, all Escalade models come with a 6-liter V-8 that puts out a class-leading 345 hp and bestows satisfyingly strong acceleration. The Escalade moves swiftly from a rest, and there is ample power on reserve for passing. A capable 4-speed transmission offers smooth, well-timed shifts, and the Road-Sensing Suspension provides a comfortable ride that absorbs road imperfections without isolating the driver from reality. Handling is far more capable than the Escalade’s sheer size and truck platform would suggest. (Click image to enlarge)
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