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Writer's Notes
Test Vehicle:
2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV
MSRP: $55,370
As tested: $58,765
Showroom appeal:
Escalade cache stretched to Suburban scale
Plus:
Power, people/cargo/towing capacity
Minus:
Fitting in small spots, gas mileage
The Competition:
Lincoln Navigator, Range Rover HSE, Lexus LX 470, Mercedes-Benz G-Class
And - attention parents - a multi-media entertainment center is available optionally to keep second row passengers occupied during long trips.
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Escalade is to Tahoe as EXT is to Avalanche as ESV is to Suburban. For 2003, Cadillac has expanded the Escalade franchise to include a third member - the super-sized, upscale Escalade ESV. ESV's arrival marks the third consecutive year of growth for the Cadillac truck brand. The latest generation Escalade arrived in 2001 as an early '02. 2002 brought the introduction of the EXT - an Avalanche in Armani. To the mix is now added the ESV - Cadillac's self-proclaimed, most powerful full-size SUV and indeed the largest vehicle that the company has ever built.
Few would consider the basic Escalade to be undersized, but if one packed one with a full complement of people, what's sacrificed is cargo capacity. ESV is fully 22" longer than the Escalade, and the stretch treatment pays dividends in two areas: third row passenger room and overall cargo capacity. ESV seats 7-8, depending on your choice of interior furniture. Standard is a four bucket set-up, with third row bench. Optional is a second row bench. Either way, row two, like row one, is heated. Row three in the 'basic' Escalade is more suitable to smaller folk, but ESV will hold full-size adults back there - though it's helpful if they are agile adults, from the standpoint of getting in and out gracefully. Cargo capacity ranges from generous to enormous. 31.3 cubic feet behind row three, expandable to a maximum of 131.6 cubic feet. In the latter, max-stuff mode, the benchmark 4'x8' sheets of plywood will fit, with liftgate closed. Functionality it has, and of course, luxury features abound. Front buckets are 10-way power adjustable, adjustable too are the pedals. Seatbacks are swaddled in "Nuance" leather, and ears are bathed in Bose sound (XM Satellite Radio available). Every comfort and convenience feature that you can think of is in here, save a screen-type navigation system. (Buyers do, however, receive a free, one year subscription to GM's On-Star Directions and Connections plan). And - attention parents - a multi-media entertainment center is available optionally to keep second row passengers occupied during long trips.
"The high level of luxury and advanced features in the new Escalade ESV are things you'd expect only from Cadillac - and its size , power and functionality are things no other manufacturer offers."
ESV is only available in AWD. The Borg-Warner full-time all wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front/rear, and shuffles power fore and aft to meet the demands of your driving conditions. ESV carries Cadillac's full complement of traction and stability control systems, including Stabilitrak and Road-Sensing Suspension. Any discussion of handling begins with the caveat that this is a 2½ ton vehicle. Given the constraints of its size, ESV's road manners are good. Ride quality is quite good. ESV has beefy brakes, but drivers must factor in vehicle mass and adjust their stopping distances accordingly. While the ESV wouldn't be your first choice for the neighborhood Gymkhana, overall driving comportment is fine in light of its intended purpose.
One of those intended purposes for many people would be towing. ESV is rated to pull up to 7,400 lb when equipped with the optional towing package. The powertrain that makes this possible is a 6.o liter V8 coupled to a heavy duty, four speed automatic transmission. Rated at 345 hp (@ 5,200 rpm) and 380 lb. ft. of torque (@4,000 rpm) the Cadillac eight is muscular and seemingly oblivious to the load that its shouldering. GM claims a 0-60 time of 8.44 seconds, and while that sounds a little optimistic for the 5,839 lb. ESV, the motor is flat out impressive for its smooth, even power flow. Impressive too, though not surprising, is the big Cadillac's appetite. EPA rates ESV at 12 mpg city/16 highway. A large capacity gas tank (a wallet-sapping 31 gallons) effectively boosts your cruising range between fill-ups.
With ESV, Cadillac extends its high profile Escalade brand into the ultra-ute field. It's a logical move, given the Escalade's hot halo, and the Suburban dresses up nicely. As with EXT, the Cadillac does everything the Chevy does, with added luxury features and a dash of attitude. Among the small field of competitors in this category, the one that's arguably the most threatened by ESV's arrival is one of GM's own. GMC has historically been the upscale truck in the GM family and one wonders what the impact of the new kid on the block will be on the Denali XL.
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---Story and photos by Dan Lyons
photos © Dan Lyons 2002
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