2005 Cadillac Escalade: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Minor revisions to trim and accessories lead 2005 news for Cadillac's truck-based SUVs. Escalade is a luxury spinoff of the large Chevrolet/GMC SUVs. It comes in three versions. The base Escalade and longer Escalade ESV are SUV wagons with three rows of seats. They have 7-passenger capacity with 2nd-row buckets, eight with an optional 2nd-row bench. Escalade EXT is a 4-dr crew-cab pickup truck. Like the similar Chevrolet Avalanche, it has a "midgate" wall between the cab and cargo bed; removing its rear window allows dropping the midgate to extend the bed from 5.3 ft to 8.1. EXT seats five, but just two with the midgate folded. All Escalades offer all-wheel drive and a 6.0-liter V8. The base wagon also comes as a 2WD model. AWD Escalades lack low-range gearing. All models have automatic transmission, front side airbags, ABS, antiskid/traction control, tire-pressure monitor, and Cadillac's automatic-adjusting Road Sensing Suspension. Also standard: trailering package, power-adjustable gas and brake pedals, rear obstacle detection, and OnStar assistance. Changes for '05 involve a restyled gauge cluster, new interior trim, upgraded cooling system, and standard chrome exhaust tips. Also, the available navigation system replaces a joystick control with a touch screen. The ESV Platinum Edition includes navigation system, specific appearance touches, and 20-inch chrome alloy wheels in place of Escalade's standard 17-inch alloys.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Based on mainstream Large SUVs, Premium Large SUVs are really super-sized luxury liners. All are powerful, pricey, and extremely thirsty at the pump.

Our Best Buys is the Toyota Land Cruiser. Our Recommended pick is the Cadillac Escalade.