Acceleration

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	6	6	5.4

All Escalades have ample power for any situation. Transmission changes gears smoothly, though some testers cite an occasional reluctance to downshift for passing. Towing capacity: base wagon, 7400 lb.; EXT, 7600; ESV, 7800.

Fuel Economy

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
3	3	2	3	2.5

Test regular-length Escalades averaged 15.0-15.6 mpg. Test ESV averaged 13.8 mpg. Test EXT averaged 13.8 mpg. Cadillac recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	8	7	6.6

Betrays truck-type design with minor structural shudder on rough pavement. Ride otherwise comfortably absorbent, even with 22-inch tires. ESV/EXT's longer wheelbase contributes to smoother ride.

Steering/Handling/Braking

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
4	5	4	4	4

Stable, confident in low-to-moderate speed changes of direction. Faster corners trigger obvious body lean and, with 18-inch tires, fair amount of noseplow. Optional 22-inch tires sharpen cornering manners. Testers divided on steering; some laud feel, response, others says it's vague and overassisted. Strong brakes have reassuringly firm pedal, but fast stops trigger lots of nosedive.

Quietness

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
7	6	7	6	6.7

Quiet enough, but only midpack for premium-large-SUV class. V8 subdued at highway speeds, but roars during rapid acceleration, and exhaust note prominent nearly always. Wind rush noticed from large door mirrors and around front doors from 65 mph on up. Moderate coarse-surface tire thrum with 22-inch treads.

Controls

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6

Gauges large, but have blue pointers that can be hard to see in daylight. Controls within easy reach. Navigation system has large easy-read touch screen, absorbs but doesn't complicate audio functions. Cabin has good assembly quality, and mostly top-notch materials, though some cabin plastics disappoint at these prices.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
9	9	9	9	8.3

Big-rig space on wide, comfortable seats, though tallest drivers may want still more head, leg room. Folding the midgate on EXT requires moving front seats forward slightly, reducing leg room. Standard power-adjustable pedals, but absence of telescoping or power-adjustable steering column surprising at this price level. Visibility impeded astern and to right-rear by roof design, but standard rear obstacle detection and available rearview camera compensate. This is a tall truck, so some climbing needed to get in.

Room/Comfort (rear)

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
8	8	8	8	7.1

Another highish step to 2nd row, where comfortable seats furnish good head and leg room. In either wagon body length, thinly padded 3rd-row bench will cramp those over 5-ft-6, and accessing it demands a low crouch while clearing flipped 2nd-row seats. With $425 option, those 2nd-row seats fold/tumble readily at the push of a release button (for buckets) or lever (for bench), but must be manually returned to the upright position.

Cargo Room

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
8	8	9	5	7.3

In standard-length wagon, only grocery-bag space behind 3rd-row bench, but plenty with those seatbacks flopped down. Generous space behind 3rd row in ESV. In both wagons, 3rd-row seat is split into 50/50 sections that don't fold flush with the floor and are heavy and cumbersome to remove or install. (EXT shares Chevrolet Avalanche design, so see the Avalanche report for an evaluation of EXT cargo room.) Good cabin storage includes large bi-level console bin.

Value within Class

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
9	8	10	7	5.5

Escalade wagons are basically GMC Yukon Denalis with Cadillac looks, a pinch more power, extra standard features, and higher prices. All of GM's redesigned 2007 large SUVs are Best Buys in their market segments, and although Escalade wagons may not be worth every penny of their extra cost over the Denali, they are a good value compared with other premium large SUVs.

Total Score

AWD Base	AWD Base w/22-in. whls., nav. sys.	ESV	EXT w/22-in. whls.	Class Average
68	67	70	62	59.4

Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		42
Average Score		59
High Score		70