2002 Cadillac Escalade: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Escalade comes as a luxury SUV and a crossover SUV/pickup-truck called the EXT. The SUV shares a platform with the GMC Yukon/Denali and Chevrolet Tahoe but has more power and unique appointments. The EXT is a similarly embellished version of the Chevrolet Avalanche. Standard on both are front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, Cadillac's automatic-adjusting road-sensing suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, and rear-obstacle-warning and OnStar-assistance systems.

The SUV seats seven and offers rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. AWD Escalades have a 6.0-liter V8 and tow up to 8500 lb, 2WD models have a 5.3 V8 and tow 7700 lb.

The EXT's "midgate" divides its 4-dr cab from its cargo bed. The rear window removes and the midgate folds along with the rear seat to extend the 5.3-ft bed to 8.1 ft. EXT seats five, but just two with the midgate folded. It comes only with AWD and the 6.0 V8; towing capacity is 8000 lb. AWD versions of both vehicles have antiskid control.

COMPETITION

Though this segment has cooled somewhat with the rise in fuel prices, it's still one of the hottest. Our Best Buys are the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Recommended are the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon. For a few more bucks you can get the Toyota Land Cruiser. Its high price is the only thing holding back this refined and drivable SUV. We love the size, comfort, and power of these big SUVs but wish they got a few more miles per gallon.