2007 Cadillac Escalade

by Steve Schutz, MD

The iconic Cadillac Escalade has been completely reengineered and restyled for 2007, and there’s hardly anything about it that’s not improved. From the ride to the interior appointments to the fuel economy, everything’s better, and I enjoyed every bit of my week with the ‘Sclade.

It’s not for introverts, though. I test many new vehicles each year and very few have gotten has many looks and comments as the Escalade. One example: as I walked out of my office after work one day, I noticed two employees straining to look into the big SUV through its tinted windows. They declined my offer of a ride around the block, but happily sat in the front seats for a few minutes giggling and enjoying the stereo.

And many others complimented me on “my” Escalade, from fellow gas-fillers to shoppers at my local grocery store. BMWs, Mercedes, and Lexuses never attract smiles like an Escalade, probably because they are seen as “my boss’ car” while Escalades are perceived as something regular people buy when their ship comes in. Whatever the reasons, get ready to bask in warm approval if you buy one.

It helps that Escalades are very nice — and nice looking — vehicles, particularly the new ones. When he began remaking GM’s entire lineup about five years ago, Bob Lutz, the company’s legendary product czar, decreed an end to all body cladding, and this year’s Escalade has none. There’s plenty of chrome, though. In fact, the entire concept of understatement has been banished — witness the huge Cadillac crests on the grille and rear hatch, the prominent gills on the front fenders, and the first-ever-on-a-production-vehicle 22-inch wheels. The “dub deuces” are optional, but please get them if you buy an Escalade. The standard wheels look totally inadequate, and for a vehicle like this, it seems imprudent to skimp on the bling.

The bling thing — did I just write that? — continues inside the Escalade, where chrome and wood accents abound. Soft leather and comfortable seats are included as they were before, but this generation of Escalade incorporates significant interior improvements. While last year’s Escalade added luxury features and accents to a cabin handicapped by mediocre materials, the new one builds on a much nicer foundation. Again, credit Bob Lutz, who has made it his mission to upgrade every GM interior. As I’ve written in recent pieces on GM products, this concerted effort is bearing fruit.

In addition to a cleaner design and enhanced interior, Cadillac spent time on the engine as well, increasing power and fuel efficiency. To save weight, engineers used aluminum for the engine block instead of iron, and for better off-the-line performance, they bored last year's 6.0-liter V8 out to 6.2 liters. New variable valve timing results in an output of 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque, best in class unless you opt for a much more expensive Mercedes AMG SUV or Porsche Cayenne turbo. While EPA fuel economy ratings for the AWD Escalade are better than they were at 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, gas mileage is not yet best in class.

If you’re having trouble deciding between the Escalade and the Toyota Prius, you may want to wait for the cylinder deactivation and hybrid technology that are on the way. For me, fretting about gas with a vehicle like this is like counting the calories in a bacon cheeseburger. There’s a reason I’m buying the cheeseburger just like there’s a reason I drive a big luxury SUV (which, for the record, I do). I appreciate the luxury, space and safety of my truck just like I enjoy greasy burgers, so I happily pay for the gas and exercise a little more.

Anyway, like all GM full size SUVs, the Escalade rides on an all-new, fully boxed frame. It's much stiffer than before, improving ride quality and cutting interior noise. In fact, except for a fairly loud exhaust sound from the big V8, all external sounds inside the vehicle have been minimized, even wind noise at highway speeds.

A new six-speed automatic transmission makes better use of the V8's fat powerband than last year's four-speed unit, and gear changes are generally smooth and unobtrusive. A towing mode optimizes shift points for pulling loads of up to 7,700 pounds, and the new transmission has a manual mode, though I can’t imagine using it. The Escalade lacks an available low-range transfer case or even a locking center differential, so it’s at a disadvantage off road…but does anyone ever drive an Escalade off road!?

AWD Escalades come with standard leather seating, a 5.1 Bose sound system, heated first- and second-row seats, full-length side curtain airbags and plenty of power-operated accessories, including the liftgate and brake/accelerator pedals. My fully optioned tester was also equipped with an upgraded entertainment system, navigation system with rear camera, cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Hats off to GM for making the already desirable Escalade even better. It looks sharper and has a much improved interior to go with an enhanced drivetrain. Automotive extroverts, your vehicle has arrived.