Cadillac Escalade 2007 $26,995

Vehicle Overview In its brief history, the full-size Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle has brought Cadillac's youngest buyers into its fold. In particular, the second generation's 2001 debut saw celebrities and affluent 20-somethings alike declare General Motors' luxury division the new icon of urban style. It's no surprise, then, that the 2007 redesign continues to court that group. Case in point: While Cadillac's DTS sedan features colors like Glacier White and Green Silk, the Escalade prefers White Diamond and Red E terms that suggest a hip-hop artist, not an SUV. In the spirit of excess, the 2007 Escalade boasts available 22-inch wheels and a 6.2-liter V-8 with more than 400 horsepower. Also, the new model is even less efficient than its predecessor: Though it's slightly bigger and much more powerful, cargo volume and towing capacity both shrink. Perhaps wastefulness is a sign of opulence. The Escalade, which can be configured to seat eight people, will be available in March 2006 with two- or all-wheel drive, starting at $53,850 without the destination charge. It competes with other full-size, luxury SUVs such as the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 470 and Infiniti QX56. As with the previous Escalade, extended-wheelbase ESV and pickup-truck EXT versions will be available in mid-2006. Exterior Up front, narrower three-tier headlights and a larger crisscrossed grille give the Escalade a closer resemblance to Cadillac's other vehicles. The front-end elements also differentiate the Escalade from the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, whose platform it shares. Chrome applications throughout emphasize the vehicle's luxury status. The 2007 Escalade is a few inches longer than the previous version, with roughly equal height and width. Upscale touches include xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights etched with Cadillac logos, rain-sensing windshield wipers and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, and 22-inch wheels are optional. Interior Inside, the Escalade further differentiates itself from its GM platform-mates with unique climate controls, an LED-backlit instrument panel and a center stack that seamlessly flows into the floor console rather than being a separate unit. Standard seating configurations include two rows of captain's chairs and a three-seat bench in back an optional second-row bench ups seating capacity to eight. Other standard items include tri-zone automatic climate control and leather seats with power adjustments in front and seat heaters in the first two rows. Air-conditioned seats are an option, as are a heated steering wheel, a navigation system and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Removing the third-row seat and flipping the second row forward, either manually or with an optional power-operated mechanism, allows a maximum cargo capacity of 108.9 cubic feet, which is smaller than the previous Escalade's 121 cubic feet. Under the Hood An all-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 is the sole power plant. That engine is also available in the Yukon, but in the Escalade it's tuned for 402 hp (versus 380 hp) and 417 pounds-feet of torque (versus 415 pounds feet). It works through a six-speed-automatic transmission. Permanent all-wheel drive is available. Although the 6.2-liter engine substantially outguns the 345-hp, 6.0-liter in the previous Escalade, maximum towing capacity shrinks from 8,100 pounds to 7,400 pounds. Safety Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and a StabiliTrak electronic stability system that includes new rollover mitigation technology, which can sense impending rollovers and selectively apply individual brakes. Standard side curtain-type airbags cover all three rows of seats. Side-impact airbags for the front seats are not available.

• Luggage rack roof-mounted with chrome accent
• Luggage rack center rails
• Fascia front body-color
• Fascia rear body-color
• Moldings color-keyed bodyside with chrome accents
• Assist steps Black with chrome accents mounted between front and rear wheels (Upgradeable to (BRS) power-retractable assist steps.)
• Headlamps High-Intensity Discharge (HID) with (T74) Twilight Sentinel and flash-to-pass feature
• Fog lamps front rectangular halogen integral in front fascia
• Daytime Running Lamps with automatic exterior lamp control
• Tail lamps LED illumination
• Glass Solar-Ray deep-tinted (all windows except light-tinted glass on windshield driver- and front passenger-side glass)
• Mirrors outside heated power-adjustable power-folding and driver-side auto-dimming color-keyed with integrated turn signal indicators ground illumination and programmable to provide curb view when in reverse
• Windshield washer fluid system heated
• Wipers front intermittent RainSense
• Wiper rear intermittent with washer
• Door handles chrome
• Seats front bucket with leather seating surfaces driver and front passenger 14-way power seat adjusters 4-way power lumbar control independently heated driver and front passenger seat cushions and seatbacks (3 settings) 2-position driver memory articulating outboard head restraints and fold-down inboard armrests
• Seats second row bucket with leather seating surfaces reclining with heated seat cushions (3 settings) and fold-down armrests
• Seats third row 50/50 split-bench with leather-appointed seating 3-passenger can be folded tumbled forward or totally removed lightweight
• Console floor with damped-door storage covers large storage bin analog clock dual cup holders rear seat audio and electronic climate controls and second row heated seat controls
• Console overhead deluxe with reading lights and (UG1) Universal Home Remote (Includes sunroof controls when (CF5) power sunroof is ordered.)
• Floor covering color-keyed carpeting
• Floor mats color-keyed carpeted first and second row
• Steering wheel color-keyed with wood and leather-wrapped rim
• Steering wheel controls mounted audio and Driver Information Center controls
• Tow/haul mode selector button located at end of shift lever
• Instrumentation analog with speedometer odometer fuel level engine temperature and tachometer
• Driver Information Center with programmable personalization features such as door locking and unlocking a trip computer that contains trip odometer and individual tire pressure readouts fuel information such as range average mpg gallons used and oil life and a message center that displays dozens of system messages such as low fuel door ajar security seat belt reminder low coolant and oil pressure low
• Tire pressure monitoring system (does not apply to spare tire)
• Windows power with driver and front passenger Express-Down and lockout features
• Door locks power programmable with lockout protection and power lock for liftgate
• Remote Keyless Entry with 2 transmitters panic button and content theft alarm
• Remote vehicle start
• Rear Parking Assist Ultrasonic with rearview LED display audible warning and instrument panel-mounted shutoff switch
• OnStar 1-year of Directions and Connections plan. Includes Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance Emergency Services Roadside Assistance Remote Door Unlock OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics Hands-Free Calling AccidentAssist Remote Horn and Lights Information and Convenience Services and Driving Directions. (OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery) wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics available on most 2004 MY and newer GM vehicles. Diagnostic capability varies by model. Visit onstar.com for system limitations and details.)
• Cruise control electronic with set and resume speed
• Universal Home Remote includes garage door opener 3-channel programm