Entered CNET Catalog: 04/25/2006
SKU: 100672735
Manufacturer: Cadillac
Product summary
The good: The 2007 Cadillac Escalade is the unrivaled king of bling and backs up the attitude with very well-designed interior electronics.
The bad: Fuel economy is abysmal, with 400 horsepower pulling 5,800 pounds, and the sheer size can make urban driving stressful. Bluetooth isn't available, and a few otherwise minor interior touches remain unfinished.
The bottom line: The 2007 Cadillac Escalade will be the only choice for a determined segment of buyers, but many other vehicles match its capabilities and offer better value.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/22/2006
In addition to its cosmetic overhaul, the Escalade rides on a new platform (the GMT 900, also found on Tahoe/Yukon models), which features standard stability control. While not as advanced as some of its overseas competitors, our all-wheel-drive Escalade rode and drove competently, considering its size.
The list of tech features and options is pretty comprehensive, as expected at this price level. The Escalade's touch-screen navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems are among the best we've tested, both in appearance and functionality. Other nice extras include a heated steering wheel and seats ($625), a large sunroof ($995), and the must-have jumbo chromed aluminum rims, our Escalade's most expensive option at $2,995. Excessive they most certainly are, but they fill up the wheel wells properly, and even on very low-profile tires--the aspect ratio of 45 is especially low for an SUV--the ride is never harsh.
The AWD Escalade has a base price of $56,405. Our nicely appointed version carried a hefty $8,830 in options, bringing the total sticker price to $66,110, including an $875 destination charge.
Buyers of the 2007 Cadillac Escalade are spending big to make a statement, and GM is relying on them to continue doing so. The bold exterior strikes the right note, and the interior is similarly successful, albeit more conventional in nature.The interior of the Escalade is enormous, with all three rows providing enough space for adult passengers to ride in comfort. Our cabin had the Ebony color scheme rather than the lighter Cocoa/Cashmere, and we liked the effect. The cabin's wood and brushed-aluminum accents produce an understated oasis inside the bling fortress, and the dark leather and carpets add to the convincingly classy interior.
The electronics are installed cleanly, and the main touch screen is within easy reach of either the driver or the passenger. A gripe with the dashboard layout is that the screen could be higher to take better advantage of the new Escalade's improved front visibility and lower dash. An ugly, barely readable analog clock instead takes pride of place, pushing everything else down.
The touch screen tilts vertically through four positions, allowing good viewing angles for differing passenger heights. Resolution is excellent, and onscreen buttons and fonts are crisply rounded--a step up from the simple blocks of the Honda/Acura system that we like so much. Touch sensitivity also seemed better than with the Honda's screen, requiring fewer second tries for missed letters when entering destinations. A simple tab-style menu across the top of the screen allows access to the relevant main menus (navigation, audio, information), and moving between full- and split-screen displays is intuitive.
The navigation system is part of the information package ($2,495), which also includes a very helpful rearview camera and Intellibeam auto high-beam control of the standard high-intensity discharge headlights. Our Escalade also came with the rear-seat entertainment system, a $1,295 option. The integration between the two was better than with other systems we've seen, with front-seat control possible but full rear-source separation also simple to set up.
The rear-seat system comes with two sets of two-channel wireless headphones, either of which can listen to the front or rear source (but which don't work in the front seats), and a dedicated remote to control what's playing on the 8-inch, 16:9 tilt-down screen. Both screens also display track information from CDs playing from the main six-CD/DVD changer in the dash, but only the front shows full XM info.
Sound is full, with rich bass and good separation, thanks to the 10-speaker Bose 5.1 Dolby digital surround system. Center-point signal processing and eight-channel digital equalization allow extensive audio customization via the main screen, including simulated surround for stereo sources.
The lack of Bluetooth phone integration is a major issue that Cadillac should remedy for the next model year if not before. The standard rear park-assist feature is effective, but the optional rearview camera display does not include distance or pathway markings. One-touch windows should be a standard on a vehicle in this class. The power rear tailgate and separate glass control are handy, as is the remote start feature on the key fob.
Other complaints with the interior center around adjustability: the steering wheel doesn't telescope at all, and the tilt adjustment isn't fluid but clicks to set positions. The adjustable pedal-cluster compensates somewhat, but shorter drivers need the wheel closer. For taller drivers, the lack of a dead pedal is another oversight.
Finally, the voice-recognition feature works well enough but is limited to about 40 known commands, none of which are for entering navigation destinations. Addresses entered with the screen can then be assigned voice keywords for later retrieval, but this is much less useful than the level of voice control allowed by other nav systems such as Honda's.
Any production engine churning out more than 400 horsepower is impressive, but the 2007 Cadillac Escalade takes a slight hit in our tech-skewed performance rating. Still using pushrods (although under another name) rather than overhead camshafts and relying on displacement over efficiency, the 6.2-liter engine in the Escalade is a step behind the V-8 engines in full-size Japanese SUVs such as the Infiniti QX56 in terms of modern design.The engine, in a somewhat dubious industry first, use a variable valve-timing system on its overhead valves rather than on overhead cams, but this ultimately seems like more trouble than it's worth. In any case, it varies the intake and exhaust timing in only a constant ratio, as opposed to other variable valve-timed engines, which allow the different valves to adjust independently; this limits the engine's ability to adjust to different load demands and, thereby, to improve either its performance or its fuel economy. From a fuel-conservation standpoint, the Escalade would certainly benefit from the "displacement on demand" cylinder-deactivation technology available on other GM vehicles, but this feature is strangely absent.
The transmission offers a manual gear selection mode, which amounts to a cutoff of the upper gears and which is out of place in this vehicle. More useful is the tow/haul mode, which alters shift patterns based on the extra weight of a trailer.
Ride and handling are enhanced by automatic rear level control and a semi-active version of active ride control that Cadillac calls Road Sensing System. This is essentially electronic suspension damping--in this case, a simple solution that works. The Escalade is by no means a spirited handler, but body roll is minimal, and even with the dubs, rough pavement is taken in stride.
From a safety standpoint, the 2007 Cadillac Escalade lives and dies with its height and girth. Frontal crash-test ratings from the NHTSA are five stars for both the driver and passenger, but the AWD Escalade gets only three stars for rollover protection. It is not yet rated for side impacts, according to the NHTSA Web site. The standard Stabilitrak stability control system includes special programming for rollover mitigation as part of its interaction with the four ABS brake sensors.
Air bag coverage is full, with dual-stage bags for the driver and front passenger (with occupant sensor) and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three seating rows.
Rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard, although dry weather during our week with the Escalade precluded us from trying them out. The aforementioned park-assist and rearview monitor lack path markings but offer useful visual cues. You'll find location warnings on the screen and distance-indicating lights on the inside of the D-pillar, for visibility within the driver's line of sight while looking backward.
A tire-pressure monitor is standard, as is OnStar, which includes a one-year subscription to the service's Directions and Connections program.
The 2007 Escalade is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. Corrosion protection extends to six years or 100,000 miles.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7out of 7 user reviews
2007 Escalade
Pros: Comfort, Style, Ride Quality
Cons: No blue tooth.
out of 7 user reviews
Many Many eleectrical problems
Pros: Powerful engine when running
Cons: I would never purchase another because of service and warranty
out of 7 user reviews
nice car with quite few problems
Pros: Comfort,power, elegance
Cons: I have Cadillac Escalade 2007 for 2.5 yrs.After last tune up got very unpleasant radiator vent noise every time remotly start engine, plus vent on when outside 50 F .Mentioned to dealership,- statement from GM "consultant" - normal for Escalade!!!???
out of 7 user reviews
LEMON Lemon lemon
Pros: This is my 3rd Escalade. Of the first two that I had, I loved sitting high up, the wt. that made it possible for me to drive in hazardous weather. They were comfortable and did not drive like a truck.
Cons: This is my 3rd Escalade. It is constantly in for engine or electrical repair. To travel safely there has to be an open Cadillac dealership open and near by that can deal with any necessary road side assistance.
out of 7 user reviews
Love it!!!
Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing!!!!!!
out of 7 user reviews
2007 Cadillac Escalade
Pros: Exterior, Rims
Cons: Interior, fuel economy
New exterior
New interior
Newer 20" rims
and tons more options that you can check out at www.cadillac.com
The Cadillac Escalade is a great choice for an SUV, but if you are having second thoughts about something that would look a bit better out on the street, and handles really nice. You should buy America's top luxury SUV, yes! the Lincoln Navigator. Which for 2007 has been completely re designed, the previous model is also a great choice from 2003-2006. If you were really into the Escalade, I would avoid buying the older models, because the older versions from 2002-2006 had old truck interior. Yuck! Anyway if you want a modern luxury, with respects to Cadillac, you should buy a 2007 Escalade. In my opinion the 2 most top of the line luxury SUVs are the Lincoln Navigator & Cadillac Escalade.
out of 7 user reviews
whoahhhh Nice!
Pros: Big. Am I sure??????
Cons: The gas milleage must be less than 5 miles to the gallon
