1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2000 Cadillac Escalade
View the Photo Gallery
View the Photo Gallery
1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade ▼
- Price Range: $5,000 - $7,600
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Cadillac Escalade
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Passenger and cargo room
- Trailer-towing capability
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Ride/handling
- Entry/exit
Vehicle Highlights
Cadillac's first truck ever was a response to the success of the full-size Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle. Big SUV sales were growing faster in the late 1990s than those of compact and midsize models. Essentially a gussied-up variant of the GMC Yukon Denali, the four-wheel-drive Escalade also competed against Land Rover's posh Range Rover and the Lexus LX 470. Familiar styling cues could be seen in the Cadillac-style grille as well as in interior trim, which used real wood and the same leather found in Cadillac passenger cars. At the rear was a drop-down tailgate combined with swing-up glass. (Denalis could be fitted with a split rear door, instead.) Power came from a 255-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine that drove a four-speed automatic transmission. AutoTrac four-wheel drive can be used on dry pavement, and the Escalade is capable of towing up to 6500 pounds. Escalades had more standard features than GMC's Denali, including a wood-rimmed steering wheel and a new version of GM's OnStar satellite-based information and emergency-assistance system. Substituting a hands-free microphone for the usual cellular phone, it included "reminder services" to track appointments, birthdays and the like.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Cadillac Escalade Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 8 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade.
Year to Year Changes
2000 Cadillac Escalade:
Cadillac's Escalade kept the basic 1999 design for one more season, as did the GMC Denali and Chevrolet's Tahoe Z71 and Limited. Redesigned Chevrolet Tahoes and GMC Yukons, on the other hand, got new platforms, styling, and engines. Nothing was new for the second-year Escalade, except that buyers got a choice of a rear liftgate/tailgate or full center-opening doors. Standard equipment included full-time four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential, antilock braking, daytime running lights, automatic climate control, and rear air-conditioner controls. Escalades were fitted with leather upholstery, cruise control, 10-way power front bucket seats, heated front/rear seats, a Bose cassette/CD player, and a six-disc CD changer. No Escalades were offered for 2001, but a new version debuted as a 2002 model.
Our road test for the 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
In both performance and accommodations, the Escalade mirrored the closely related GMC Denali. Cadillac claimed that its SUV could accelerate to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds, which puts it around the midpoint in luxury models. Like GMC's Denali, though, the 5500-pound Escalade feels sluggish--especially when attempting to pass on the highway. Excess weight also hurts gas mileage. Our test Escalade averaged only 11.2 mpg. Neither the Escalade nor the Denali is as quiet or comfortable as a luxury sedan--or as refined as the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon, which were redesigned for 2000. Ride and handling are subpar by any measure, with mediocre suppression of harsh impacts and a ponderous feel through turns. Stopping power is satisfactory, but the brake pedal feels mushy. Cadillac-grade leather upholstery imparts an impressively rich sensation, but front bucket seats are too soft and flat for optimum comfort. Lack of a powered backrest recliner and automatic climate control (on 1999 models) are telltale omissions for a vehicle in this price category. The front cabin is spacious, with enough room in back for three adults without crowding. Lincoln's Navigator, on the other hand--and the 2000 Tahoe/Yukon duo--can seat as many as eight. Tall interior step-in and surprisingly narrow rear-door bottoms make getting in and out of the back seat a problem. Cargo space is generous, even with the rear seatback in use. Plenty of storage bins and cubbyholes give space for miscellaneous items. Still, an abundance of hard plastic interior panels and parts-bin switchgear give the Escalade's cabin an ambiance that's closer to a GM truck than a luxury automobile.
Value for the Money
Escalades came with plenty of standard features and conveniences, but on the whole this sport-utility vehicle feels more like a dashed-together collection of "luxury" SUV cues than an intelligent, cohesive design. For that reason alone, it does not rate a spot on our secondhand shopping list.
Escalades came with plenty of standard features and conveniences, but on the whole this sport-utility vehicle feels more like a dashed-together collection of "luxury" SUV cues than an intelligent, cohesive design. For that reason alone, it does not rate a spot on our secondhand shopping list.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Cadillac Escalade Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 8 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 47 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Cadillac Escalade includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Cadillac Escalade .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Battery:
Whenever the battery is disconnected, the On-Star system forgets where the vehicle is and must be recalibrated through the Global Positioning System (GPS). (1999-2000)
Engine stalling:
The vehicle may stall and not restart occasionally, plus the antitheft light may come on due to a variety of wiring problems in the Passlock system. (1999-2000)
Hard starting:
The engine may be hard to start, and may backfire or kickback. Additionally, the engine may crack at the starter attachment, the starter may break or the ring gear may get broken due to a problem with the crankshaft position sensor. (1999-2000)
Hood/trunk:
The hood may flutter or vibrate requiring additional sealing material to be installed between the outer and inner panels. (1999-2000)
Ignition switch:
A bad ignition switch causes the check engine light to come on, the transmission to stick in third gear and the instruments to quit working. (1999-2000)
Paint/body:
The woodgrain trim may become cloudy or dull looking and were being replaced due to excessive wax buildup during manicuring. (1999-2000)
Poor transmission shift:
The driveline makes a clunk when shifting out of park or when shifting from drive to reverse. The company claims that this is normal. (1999-2001)
Vehicle noise:
The transfer case makes a bumping or clunking and a new fluid--Autotrak II-- was developed to correct the problem. (1999-2000)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $390 |
| Alternator | $325 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,115 |
| Brakes | $375 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $455 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $890 |
| Exhaust System | $900 |
| Radiator | $555 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $665 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $610 |
Our price chart for this generation Cadillac Escalade details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2000 | |||
| Escalade | $7,000-8,500 | $6,200-7,600 | $3,300-4,000 |
| 1999 | |||
| Escalade | $5,800-7,000 | $5,000-6,100 | $2,400-2,900 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Cadillac Escalade include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 117.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 201.2 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 77.0 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 74.3 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 5572 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 118.2 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 29.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.9 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.9 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 38.4 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
All first-generation Escalades used the same powertrain: a 255-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission. AutoTrac four-wheel drive was standard.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V8 | 5.7 / 350 | 255 | 330 | 4-speed automatic: 13/16 | 4-speed automatic: 11.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Cadillac Escalade include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1999:
In the event of a crash, the right front passenger restraint systems may not meet the neck extension requirements. Dealers will install an insert to correct this.
1999-00:
The installation of the floor-mounted entertainment system on the left side of the vehicle may interfere with the fuel system, resulting in possible fuel leakage. Dealers will reinstall the system on the correct side.
2000:
Certain rear-folding head restraints may have been constructed to allow fingers to get pinched if inserted. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
