Because of its diverse breeding, the big Caddy is one impressive individual. It coddles passengers in the most luxurious cabin ever gifted to a General Motors automobile, can tackle some of the world’s roughest roads with seven aboard, and can tow a McYacht through the mountains. It is also capable of mid-size sedan fuel economy in town. This baby is gifted!
Even while GM spent considerable engineering resources bringing the Chevy Volt to market, a few engineers put their heads around the Escalade Hybrid. Power comes from a 322-HP 6.0-litre variable-displacement V8 engine (shuts down 4 cylinders during cruising), 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack, and two-mode electrically-variable transmission. The later optimizes for efficiency or towing capacity, which is rated up to 5,800 lbs. Regenerative brakes that capture energy during deceleration, Auto Stop mode to kill the engine at rest, electric power steering, and electric only mode at low speed contribute to outstanding fuel economy ratings of 20/23-MPG city/hwy. - a 33% improvement in city economy over non-hybrid models. That’s incredible for a 6,120-lb truck!
Big, chromed, and beautiful, Escalade brings the bling. A gigantic eggcrate grille ties it to the ’49 DeVille, but the long wagon body is clearly derived from generations of Suburbans. Big faux chrome fender vents, 22” alloy wheels, power-deployable running boards, finlike taillights, and stacked LED headlamps identify today’s Escalade Platinum. The savior of Cadillac is more Cadillac than ever.
The Escalade also rides like a Cadillac, but probably not the ones you have in mind. This one shares its Magnetic Ride Control real-time adjusting suspension system with the obnoxiously-fast Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR-1. It “reads” the road every millisecond and can change shock stiffness in only 5 milliseconds. What makes this possible are shocks filled with a special fluid containing iron particles. When energized with a magnetic charge, they align and increase stiffness almost instantly. While cruising on the highway, or busting potholes in town, they de-align for a comfortable ride. Being able to do all of that while keeping wide 22” chrome wheels on their path is quite an accomplishment.
Blue blood Platinum editions satisfy extravagant tastes. The intoxicating scent of soft-touch Tehama aniline leather invades your brain as your eyes try to comprehend the planks of inlaid olive ash and walnut burl wood on the dashboard. Rolls of aluminum and more leather trim the center console. Doors and dash tops are French-stitched leather. Even the steering wheel is crafted from wood, leather, and aluminum. Everything looks, smells, and feels divine.
When you cozy into the heated front and rear seats, crank up the Bose 5.1 Surround audio system, and place your favorite beverage in the heated and cooled cupholders, you know your ride is the furthest evolution of Cadillac bliss. Three video screens - one in each headrest and a third deployable from the ceiling - can be used independently or in unison with remote controls and wireless headsets. A power-tumble second-row seat, stowable third-row seat, and power liftgate make accessing the Escalade’s cabin as easy as pressing a button.
Escalade continues to spread Cadillac’s genes. If the big wagon is too big, check out the smaller SRX crossover to get all of the Escalade’s luxury in a smaller package. While you can’t get it as a hybrid yet, rumor has a plug-in SRX just over the horizon. That would make a great addition to the Volt’s branch of the family with range-extended electric drive.
So my father, mother, and I are heading out to dinner in the Escalade with my dad driving. He’s a big GM truck fan, having owned seven full-size Chevys over the years including a ’77 Blazer. They’re enjoying the Bose system and heated leather seats. Mother says to Dad, “We should get one of these!” To which he responds, “Do you know how much this costs?!” My mother’s guess of $50,000 was only $39,000 below the sticker. Dream on, Momma!
Still, if you’re in the market for a $90,000 luxury ride like no other, I don’t imagine you’ll be disappointed in the Escalade. It got Momma’s looks, Daddy’s work ethic, and has come a heck of a long way from its Suburban roots to become the most luxurious and technically-advanced Cadillac ever.
