- 119,220
- 21,997 fair
- Redding, CA
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- autoshopper.com
2009 cadillac escalade review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Cadillac luxury in a full-size suv. introductionthe cadillac escalade is big and powerful, capable of towing trailers of 7600 to 8300 pounds. In its most popular configuration, the escalade seats seven. It's a stylish truck, with a bold yet smooth, integrated, sculpted look. built on gm's full-size truck platform and equipped with a 403-horsepower 6. 2-liter v8, the escalade, esv, and ext make good tow vehicles. Dvd entertainment systems and a moonroof are optional. escalade comes in three body styles: escalade, esv, and ext. The standard escalade is a full-size sport utility sharing the same architecture and roughly the same dimensions as the chevy tahoe; it's the only one offered as a hybrid. The escalade esv is a long-wheelbase version, similar to the chevy suburban. The escalade ext is a combination five-passenger luxury suv with a short bed; it is cadillac's version of the chevy avalanche and was characterized by a leading truck magazine as better as a cadillac than a pickup. all escalades are roomy and luxuriously appointed, letting them haul family or friends or business associates in real comfort. The engine supplies serious power for surprisingly quick acceleration. On the road, all escalades are smooth and stable. They ride smoother than a standard tahoe or suburban; but are at the same time taut and well-controlled for surprisingly good handling by full-size suv standards. lineupthe cadillac escalade is a full-size sport utility vehicle. All models except the hybrid are powered by a 403-hp 6. 2-liter v8 engine. Also standard are a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, and autoride (road sensing) suspension. the escalade is available with rear-wheel drive 61,595) or all-wheel drive 64,145). The esv is 20 inches longer than the regular escalade on a 14-inch longer wheelbase, which aids ride, third-row room, and nearly triples the cargo space behind the third row seats. Middle passengers get windows that roll all the way down. Esv equipment and options are the same as the standard escalade, except the rear entertainment system is $1,895 because it has two roof-mounted screens. the escalade ext 60,520) is a sister vehicle to the chevrolet avalanche, with a pickup profile and five-seat cabin using esv rear side doors. A removable window and midgate behind the rear seat make for versatile hauling options, including a pair of dirt bikes, 101 cubic feet of lockable space, or 4x8 building materials in a weather-tight enclosure. They are equipped much like the standard escalade with the ultra luxury collection. The hybrid uses a 60/40 split rear bench only since the battery pack is underneath it. atop the range are the platinum editions (escalade 2wd $80,725; escalade awd $83,225; esv 2wd $83,280; esv awd $85,780, hybrid 2wd $83,985, hybrid 4wd $86,485). These include everything from the standard escalade and ultra luxury collection, plus upgraded aniline leather with french seams, color-contrast stitching and the cadillac logo embroidered in the front seats. Additional leather is used for trim on the dash, center console, and doors, complemented by unique wood and aluminum trim, door sills and floor mats. Platinum models also include led headlamps, heated and cooled cupholders, and an independent dvd entertainment screen in each front seat headrest in addition to the one overhead. Passive safety features include front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters, dual front air bags and side curtain air bags that span all three rows of seats. Tire pressure monitors and onstar 8. 0 are also standard. Side airbags are not available. walkaroundthe front end of every escalade is dominated by a traditional cadillac egg-crate grille draped in chrome. The grille is flanked by three-element, vertical headlamps that tie the vehicle more closely than ever to the rest of cadillac's lineup; led headlamps on the platinum are a first in trucks or suvs. As with the front end, there is abundant chrome, including on the door handles, the exterior mirrors, side moldings, full-length roof rails (which provide anchor points for accessory crossbars for securing cargo on the roof) and venti-ports above the front wheels, an emerging trend but not functional like those on some land rovers. another clear response to market trends are the optional 22-inch chrome wheels, which visually plant the vehicle, completely filling the escalade's huge wheelwells and making the standard 18-inch wheels look positively puny by comparison (though for reasons beyond cosmetics we prefer the 18-inch wheels). particularly appreciable in colder climates are the pull-type door handles that are easy to grasp, even with gloves on. A high-mounted, horizontal brake light with led illumination crosses the top. But the dominant feature of the escalade's tail is the enormous badge set within a chunky block of chrome trim. the liftgate opens and closes by pushbutton as a hatch, or glass-only for lighter items. Since the escalade is based on a truck chassis the cargo load floor is 32. 3 inches off the ground. The class iii tow hitch that comes standard is covered by a trim panel that is removable when not needed, and which easily can be refitted once a trailer is detached. interiorthe escalade's interior was designed to provide luxury both in terms of space as well as features. Escalade comes standard with seven-passenger seating, with second-row bucket seats separated by a center console, with a three-passenger, third-row bench behind it. the five-passenger ext and eight-passenger hybrid are offered only with a three-across bench seat in the second row, which is available on some other escalades at no charge. escalade esv adds more than a foot of space between front and rear axles, so the rear side doors are much longer. This allows the side windows to go all the way down into the doors, and makes entry to the third row much easier; second row riders will still have to turn their feet to get them between seat and door post. Third-row legroom and cargo area are similarly improved. though step-in is somewhat high, expected for a full-size suv, running boards ease the process and the reward is a high seating position. Outward visibility over the open dash is very good, although the side pillars are an inch or two thicker than some luxo-utes and make blind spots large enough for a motorcycle or small car on approaching bends. Rear visibility is good as well with decent wiper coverage and no center seat headrests. interior fit and finish. Climate Control✔ Bucket Seats✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Leather Seats✔ Chrome Wheels✔ Bluetooth✔ Alloy Wheels
21,997 Redding, CARedding, CA at autoshopper.com