The Cadillac Escalade is a SUV with luxurious proportions and performance. It is not for the average driver, as it retails for over $55,000. However, it is well worth the money, considering all of the options in this beautiful machine. The Escalade is a hulking 5,367 lb SUV, that puts Cadillac on the map when it comes to this segment of the market. It comes with the following options: air conditioning, airbags, power windows, power mirrors, power locks, rear air conditioning, 3rd rear seat, running boards, ABS braking system, leather seats, cruise control, seat heaters, rear wiper,four wheel drive, rear defroster, ONSTAR, foglights, full sized spare tire, traction control, XM CD player, sunroof, dvd/tv entertainment system, GPS navigation sytem, and 17" alloy wheels.

The engine on the Escalade is ridiculous-its a 6.0 liter 8 cylinder that really cranks up the power. With its 345 horses and 380 lbs per foot of torque, you aren't going to win any awards for gas efficiency.(12 mpg city/16 highway) However, you are going to be able to blow most other cars and trucks completely off the line. One push on the accelerator shows all that this is just like the Cadillac car line-fast effective power when you need it. The engine roars to life with acceleration, with a nice growling sound. However the ride is extremely smooth-bumps and potholes are barely felt! Driving this vehicle makes you feel you are driving on air, and the shocks and suspension system provide excellent ride quality. Squealing the tires is easy, and steering is a breeze for such a large SUV. There are slight blind spots on the back, but they do not cause any concern or cumbersome driving in city/highway conditions.Cabin noise is very good-there are no loud noises at any speed People with low muscle tone will have no problems steering the Escalade, and short and tall people will be extremely comfortable in the seats.

Let me talk about the seats for a minute. These seats are so darn comfortable, I want to put them in my living room. The quality of leather Cadillac used is great, and its so easy to sleep on them. They are comfortable for both short and long drives, and the support is just perfect. The seats in the front and the immediate back of the driver are powered by motors, so you can recline or move them forwards/backwards to find your ideal comfort zone. The motors are very quiet, and work very efficiently. The back of the Escalade is a bench, which is as comfortable as a Jennifer Convertible couch as well. The seats in the front and middle are bucket style, and allow plenty of rooms on the sides as well. The front seats have seat warmers, which are great for those depressing cold winter days.

The options in the Escalade are off the hook. The XM radio/CD player works great, and provides plenty of bass and sound pitch to jam to any style of music. Its also very easy to use, and CD's eject without any whiny electrical noise sound. The Escalade also comes with a DVD TV in the back, which is great for entertaining kids on long trips. Its very easy to use, and folds up when not in use. The picture quality is outstanding. The GPS I still have not completely figured out, but the maps are very easy to read and understand.

The interior of this car is very sophisticated, and the leather matches the dashboard components well. The information controls are quite visible in all conditions, and the MPH/RPM gauge is located in the center, which is great placement on Cadillacs part. The gauges include:MPH/RPM, gas level, oil pressure, battery meter, and trouble lights. The steering wheel is beautifully centered with the Caddy logo, and there are cruise control buttons on there. The paneling is all made of expensive materials, and Cadillac did not cut corners with any cheap plastic. The air conditioning in this baby rocks, and there is also a rear conditioning unit for all the people in the back.

I totally recommend the Escalade, and I think its the best SUV on the market. Everything from the engine, brakes, transmission, radio, and seats works very well. The Escalade totally lives up to the Cadillac reputation for fine automobiles, and has a four year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. This is a SUV that you will want to stay in, and it will delay your return to home or work. Its much more comfortable and relaxing in here than anywhere else!
Amount Paid (US$): 55,800
Model Year: 2005