The Escalade earns its premium, flashy reputation with unrivaled style and strong V8 power, along with a comfortable and luxurious interior.



The 2007 Escalade was named Best New American Car by Forbes and BusinessWeek ranks Cadillac as the best automotive company in customer service, awarding the company Customer Service Champion status.After its redesign last year, the Escalade remains virtually unchanged for 2008; this review uses data that cover the 2007 and 2008 model years. The Escalade can seat up to eight people and comes in three models: the Escalade, Escalade ESV (an extended version) and the Escalade EXT (which trades the third row seat and enclosed cargo area for a short truck bed). "If you like your bling on a grand scale, it doesn't get much grander than this, says Car and Driver. Buyers can expect their gas bills to be as grand as the bling on the Escalade. While the SUV is reasonably fuel efficient for its size, its 12 city/19 highway estimated fuel economy may be enough to give some buyers pause. However, if you need the Escalade's size and want its luxury, you can take heart in the fact that its fuel economy, though not great, is amoung the best in a very thirsty class.

Test drivers find the 2008 Cadillac Escalade to be an able performer that offers a smooth ride, V8 power and handling in line with its size. Motor Week says the Escalade offers a "driving experience that's as close to a premium luxury sedan as any SUV we've ever tried."

The Escalade comes standard with a V8 engine, rear wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission that is popular with reviewers. A wide stance and auto-sensing suspension keep the ride smooth, but during test drives reviewers noticed the Escalade's size means the SUV demands the driver's attention.

Despite the Escalade's size and the extra attention it requires, Cadillac engineers have done their best to make driving it as easy as possible. MSN notes that "general handling and maneuverability in traffic are very good. The Escalade is easy to handle, although a first-time driver might initially be intimidated by its size." The Sacramento Bee adds "While it looks as big as a tank, the Escalade is actually pretty easy to drive, and you quickly become comfortable behind the wheel."

Though the Escalade's engine offers plenty of power, the Escalade is tuned for comfort, not sport driving. The Car Connection says the engine "in our test vehicle never struggled, even on the most aggressive hill climbs." Even with all that power, the Boston Globe notes that "the ride was velvet-smooth, even sitting high in almost three tons of car." Though Car and Driver says the Escalade is nimble for its class, they add, "we're talking agility distinctions among members of a herd of elephants." Still they found the handling and ride in the Escalade "taut but supple, with less of the up-and-down motion of the previous generation, which adds up to a stronger sense of control."