Major Options:  22-inch chrome wheels, Information package (rear view camera, navigation system with CD/DVD, Intellibeam), rear seat entertainment system, power sliding sunroof, premium paint, climate package (heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  15.05 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Mark Bilek GM's new Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade are so much better than anything else on the market. it's hard to imagine any other automaker trying to sell a big SUV.

Tom Appel Cadillac did a great job giving Escalade a unique look and feel. Still, despite its extra power, I see little value here when compare to the excellent Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Buy Escalade for the bling, not because its a better truck than its cheaper stablemates, it's not.

Major Options:  Power Sliding Sunroof, 18-in. Chrome Aluminum Wheels, Climate Pkg. (Heated/Cooled Front Seats, Heated Steering Wheel), 2nd Row Seat Power Release

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  15.6 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Chuck Giametta There's hardly a better argument for buying a thoughtfully equipped $36,000 Tahoe than this $60,000 Escalade. Replacing a few--but by no means enough--of the Tahoe's hard plastic interior panels with padded ones does not justify this Cadillac's lofty airs. Even the mighty 6.2-liter V8, as we have found with the Denali's 6.0, doesn't shame the smooth, hardworking 5.3 in the "lesser" versions of these SUVs. (And the 5.3 is the only one with fuel-saving cylinder deactivation.) Escalade's perforated leather upholstery is quite nice, but the shiny plastic grille, trinket-like fender vents, and silly plastic medalions, are cheap and self-conscious. Work the ratchety rear-seat releases, hear the lid slam down on the console bin, notice that the thin plastic dashboard vents don't adjust above the horizontal...there's little of genuine high-class quality here. But in design, value, and taste, there is plenty that is vulgar.

Ed Piotrowski Escalade continues as the 'King of Bling.' And, looks aside, the 2007 iteration is a well-executed SUV. Skip the optional 22-inch wheels, but (and I never thought I'd say this) pony up for the navigation system. It cuts down on the hard plastic surfaces and gives you a helpful backup camera.

John Biel Seventy-three point seventy-eight: That is the number of U.S. dollars it cost this driver to put almost 22 gallons of premium gasoline in this test Escalade at $3.38 a gallon. That's what you'll pay to play with this status symbol. The new Escalade delivers smooth, abundant power and a cushy ride that's downright astounding for a truck. Still, the Escalade's core values can be had for less in the related Chevrolet or GMC SUVs.

Major Options:  Information Package (navigation system with CD/DVD, rear view camera, Intellibeam), Power Sliding Sunroof, 18-inch Chrome Wheels, Climate Package (heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  13.82 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Tom Appel Mileage seems to have improved for 2007, with the new engine and 6-speed automatic chipping in to conserve fuel. But 16 mpg is still pretty crummy if you're not moving lots of people and stuff on a regular basis. My tirade aside, Escalade does what a big-lux rig ought to, and prices are at the low end of the class as a bonus. Be aware, this giant Caddy screams "look at me" far too loudly, at least for this driver.

Major Options:  Information Package (Navigation System with CD/DVD, Rear View Camera, Intellibeam), 18" Chrome Aluminum Wheels, Climate Package (Heated/Cooled Front Seats, Heated Steering Wheel)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy:  13.79 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Tom Appel From behind the wheel, one loses the sensation of driving something so completely bombastic. The Escalades are fine rides, laden with useful power and oozing utility. But the bathed-in-chrome fascia and massive profile would make even Richard Simmons self conscious. A shame, because in EXT guise this half-Caddy, half-pickup transformer is truly useful. If you can live with the bling, this could be your truck.