Standard satellite radio and a premium edition with 20-inch wheels top 2004 additions to Cadillac's line of full-size luxury SUVs. Escalade is based on the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, but has upscale trim and different engines. The base Escalade is Tahoe sized. Escalade ESV is Suburban sized, adding 22 inches of length to the base Escalade. Both seat up to eight when equipped with a 2nd-row bench seat. Two 2nd-row buckets are standard, for 7-passenger capacity. Escalade EXT is a 4-dr crew cab pickup similar to Chevrolet's Avalanche with a "midgate" wall between the cab and cargo bed. The rear window removes and the midgate folds with the rear seat to extend the bed from 5.3 ft to 8.1. EXT seats five, but just two with the midgate folded.

The base Escalade comes in rear-wheel drive with a 5.3-liter V8 or all-wheel drive with a 6.0 V8. ESV and EXT come only with AWD and the 6.0 V8. AWD models do not have low-range gearing. Standard on all are front side airbags, ABS, traction/antiskid control, and Cadillac's automatic-adjusting Road Sensing Suspension. Also included are power-adjustable gas and brake pedals, rear-obstacle warning, and OnStar assistance. A navigation system is optional. Building on the ESV is the new Platinum Edition model that includes a navigation system, special exterior and interior appearance touches, and 20-inch chrome alloy wheels in place of Escalade's standard 17-inch alloys. Now standard on all Escalades are the previously optional tire-pressure monitor and trailering package.