the occupant in the seat, based on the measured weight in the seat cushion and tension in the belt system, if any. If these measurements are typical for a small occupant or a child in a booster seat, for example, the air bag is disabled. If they are typical for a larger occupant, the air bag is enabled. As no system is perfect, there is a tell-tale in the rearview mirror that lets the occupant know if the system is ON or OFF. Children are always safer in the back seat, however. Side-impact air bags are standard for both the driver and front passenger. In addition, side-impact door beams and energy-absorbing foam blocks on the interior help protect occupants against head injuries.
Equipped with the big 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine, the Escalade, ESV, and EXT offer strong acceleration performance with deep torque for pulling trailers. Punch it and the Vortec's 345 horsepower provides terrific response for passing on two-lane roads. Ease the pedal down on long grades and 380 foot-pounds of torque are there to propel the Escalade with authority. These big Cadillacs are easily among the most powerful of the full-size trucks on the road. Cadillacs are indeed among the quickest SUVs on the road. They accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8.5 seconds, according to Cadillac, nearly 1.5 seconds (a lot) quicker than a Lincoln Navigator. The engine delivers good throttle response, making easy to control speed when tooling around town.
We haven't driven a 2WD Escalade with the 5.3-liter V8, but based on driving Tahoes and other GM products with that engine we suspect it's more than adequate to propel the Escalade.
The four-speed transmission shifts smoothly, particularly around town. Like other full-size SUVs from GM, the Escalade is equipped with a Tow/Haul mode. Press a button on the end of the shift stalk and the Tow mode reduces hunting among gears by delaying upshifts and downshifts. The shifting is also harder and more abrupt. This reduces heat buildup in the transmission when towing reducing wear.
Rear Park Assist makes parking these rigs, particularly the ESV and ESV, much easier. By using the small row of lights at the rear of the headliner, along with an audio tone that varies in frequency, the driver can accurately judge how much room is left behind the rear bumper. The system can also sometimes warn the driver of a child or person behind the vehicle, though GM is careful not to make this claim, which can be helpful when backing in a crowded parking lot.
The computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system directs engine power where it's needed and compensates whenever and wherever wheel spin occurs. In dry conditions, the front wheels get 38 percent of the driving torque, and the rear wheels get 62 percent; as any wheel slips, torque is transferred away, until it can be restored to regain that 38/62 optimum split. This increases stability and performance in slippery conditions.
The computer-controlled self-leveling suspension with extra large high-tech Bilstein shock absorbers sounds impressive on paper ("through a complex software algorithm, it computes the individual optimal shock demand for each wheel"), but paper is easy, the road is rough. In simpler words, we think the Escalade feels floaty. In the Columbia River valley where wind reigns supreme, the Escalade did not feel as stable as it should be. And you can feel the patches on the freeway more than you might like to. On two-lanes with curves it doesn't feel as agile as a BMW X5 or even a Ford Expedition, but at least there isn't a lot of body roll. That said, the Escalade feels stable on on-ramps and off-ramps. Likewise, the Escalade ESV feels stable on the highway at high speeds, but it is a little softer than a Suburban, and there is a distinct impression of being in control of considerable mass. Perhaps it's because the ESV weighs 5,820 pounds, about 600 pounds more than a Suburban 1500.
Brakes are four-wheel disc with ABS, 12-inch diameter front, 13-inch rear, not ventilated. That doesn't sound impressive for such as big vehicle, particularly if it's headed downhill with a trailer at maximum towing capacity. But they felt good in hard use on winding roads and delivered stable performance under hard braking. The brakes are an enormous improvement over the brakes that used to come on Suburbans.
The Escalade, ESV and EXT are superb choices for towing. The Escalade AWD offers the highest towing capacity at 8100 pounds. The big ESV is rated to pull 7200 pounds, while the EXT can pull 7400 pounds.
The standard two-wheel-drive Escalade is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 ($51,055), but is available with all-wheel drive and the high-output 6.0-liter V8 engine ($53,955). Escalade ESV ($56,380) and Escalade EXT ($51,230) come standard with the 6.0-liter V8 and all-wheel drive. Though the Escalade, ESV, and EXT differ in appearance, they share interiors and are mechanically the same.
Cadillac is usually the first to get GM's cutting edge technology and all the Escalade models come loaded with the latest: StabiliTrak electronic stability control, computer-controlled road-sensing suspension (RSS), Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (a warning beeper).
The list of standard equipment is as long as the Escalade itself: Nuance leather seats with Zebrano wood interior trim; power heated 10-way adjustable front seats; Bose Acoustimass audio system with six-disc CD; rear seat audio controls with earphones; removable lightweight third-row seats; Heavy Duty Trailering Package. Also standard is the OnStar communications system with Personal Calling, which allows drivers to make hands-free, voice-activated personal calls, and Virtual Advisor, which provides headlines, scores, weather, and personalized stock quotes. For 2003, a DVD rear seat entertainment system and a DVD navigation system were added as standard equipment. For 2004, XM Satellite Radio comes standard. Second-row bucket seats are standard (and a second-row bench is a no-cost option).
The list of options is short and includes special paint ($995) and a power glass sunroof ($1550).