The Cadillac Escalade has the comfort and style you would expect, but with innovative appointments and added power, this 2007 entry shines a little brighter in the spotlight.

Chrome couture, jewel-like and eye candy are just a few of the well-chosen words that Cadillac uses to characterize its just-released 2007 Escalade. Eight years ago, this model brought younger buyers to the brand and inspired song lyrics. With the introduction of the 2007 model, Cadillac has been careful to keep the iconic buzz going ¨C they even went as far as calling our group of auto journalists at the unveiling in New York City ¡°fashionistas.¡± While that may be a little bit of a stretch given my meager wardrobe, the new Escalade is not only hip, cool, and glamorous, its outrageously powerful, and an overall treasure of automotive excellence.


(No matter how hard we pushed it through corners, it was hard to feel any type of body roll. In addition to the wider track, credit goes to the Auto Leveling and computerized Road Sensing Suspension Systems.)

Virtually all of the shortcomings in the previous Escalade have been remedied, plus they upped the horsepower from 345 to an unprecedented 403 and took cues from the aftermarket in adding more chrome and options such as 22-inch wheels. The previous 6.0-liter V8 engine was already the most powerful in any full-size SUV, and even though the new 6.2-liter has much more muscle, it miraculously offers better fuel economy and runs smoother and quieter.

This is largely due to the extensive use of aluminum, new Variable Valve Timing (VVT), and the improvement from a four- to six-speed transmission. VVT allows the computerized engine control module to advance or retard the opening and closing of the valves to match various loads, speeds and driving styles. With VVT, the engine is more efficiently tuned for the low-end torque needed for towing and the high-end horsepower produces brisk highway performance.
The new Hydra-Matic transmission has two overdrive gears for improved fuel economy at highway speeds, and with six gears overall, the engine doesn¡¯t have to rev as high as a four-speed before shifting. Not only does this help to sip gas slower, it gives the Escalade much smoother acceleration. The extra gears, together with the driver-selectable towing mode, are especially a joy when towing in mountainous terrain where the combination of features all but eliminates the annoying roar of the engine ¡°hunting¡± for the right gear.

The new transmission features an electronically controlled manual mode that allows drivers to shift gears with the touch of a button on the column shifter. It reminds me of the old three-on-the-tree in my 1976 Dodge custom van, but without the grinding of missed gears. Once in a while it's a real thrill to command 403 horses with thumb flicks, but I find I use the manual mode more to reduce braking when towing around hills than for sport driving.


(The rear seat folds forward and can be flipped a second time, up against the back of the second row of seats, offering a flat cargo area to accommodate groceries, a dog cage, or big boxes without having to remove the heavy seat. )

Since the six speed doesn¡¯t hold gears as long before shifting, engine noise is a lot less noticeable when tooling around town, unless of course, you step on it. Cadillac has taken many extra steps to make this the most noise insulated Escalade ever. For instance, the motor mounts are hydraulic as opposed to the typical hard rubber ones and are tuned to the engine¡¯s combustion cycle at low rpm, where any engine runs least smooth. Sound dampening has been added to the dash and floor panel, and an extra-thick acoustic barrier can be found over the drive tunnel.

The new body has a more swept-back windshield, which not only adds to cabin quietness, but improves aerodynamics and contributes to the improved fuel economy. Overall dimensions are a few inches longer than its predecessor, but more significantly it has a wider track. That is, the wheels are spaced further apart. This, combined with the new headlights and chrome grill, gives the front profile a more aggressive look and affords increased stability. No matter how hard we pushed it through corners, it was hard to feel any type of body roll. In addition to the wider track, credit goes to the Auto Leveling and computerized Road Sensing Suspension Systems.

Auto Leveling corrects the vehicle¡¯s running angle to compensate for the tongue weight of trailers or any interior load. Meanwhile, the suspension system utilizes coil springs and computer-controlled monotube shock absorbers in each corner to provide instant suspension response to changing driving conditions. During higher-speed turns and when driving over uneven surfaces, specific damping is applied to individual shocks to increase control. When the optional twenty-two-inch wheels are ordered, the system is programmed to have a little more give. This helps to compensate for the increase in the diameter of rigid steel and decrease in tire sidewall height. With the factory twenty-twos, you don¡¯t have to suffer a harder ride for the price of looking good.


(Cadillac has infused numerous functional amenities. The sumptuous leather seats feature double-stitched French seams and offer independent temperature controls for seatbacks and seat cushions.)

Escalade's competition, the Lincoln Navigator, is five inches longer and an inch narrower. Both elegant interiors feel similar in plushness and size to me, but the Cadillac leather is softer, and statistically it offers 6.4 inches of additional hip room for front seat passengers, two extra inches for back seat riders, and two more inches of shoulder room for both.

The Navigator has a little more than an extra cubic foot of cargo space, but the big news in this comparison is that Cadillac finally came up with something to compete with the Navigator¡¯s rear seat, which folds and disappears into the floor. The back of the new Escalade seat folds forward and can be removed like its predecessor, but can now be flipped a second time, up against the back of the second row of seats. This leaves a flat cargo area to accommodate groceries, a dog cage, or big boxes without having to remove the heavy seat. Each half of the seat can be manipulated or removed individually, and while this requires more effort than the optional electric button to fold the Navigator seat, it is much quicker.

Both tow vehicles offer advantages, but the refinements in the 2007 Cadillac close the gap in areas where the Lincoln has led since 2003. The decision now comes down to a personal preference for style, and whether you are attracted to Lincoln¡¯s higher (8,300 lb.) towing capacity and disappearing third row seat, or Cadillac¡¯s immense power and laundry list of first-ever conveniences.

A Woman's Point Of View
The first thing I noticed about the Escalade, aside from its stellar good looks, is its quiet ride. The six-speed transmission seamlessly switches gears without that loud engine rev and the idle is especially quiescent. Around town, low-speed cruising results in a soft, peaceful motoring experience.

Not only has Cadillac produced an eye-catching stunner, it has infused it with numerous functional amenities. The sumptuous leather seats feature double-stitched French seams and offer independent temperature controls for seatbacks and seat cushions. Also wrapped in delicate leather, the optional heated steering wheel is most enjoyable on those cold winter mornings. When heading to the car with a handful of packages, one touch of the remote opens the rear liftgate like a doorman at The Ritz. The auto start is particularly comforting when alone in a dark parking lot, and a time-saver in the winter for pre-heating and defrosting the windshield. Tri-zone climate controls appease all passengers and allow up to a 30-degree difference in driver and passenger settings. Separate controls are provided for rear-seat passengers. On long trips, the optional DVD entertainment system can be more effective at keeping calm than handing out sedatives.

There are almost too many options and standard conveniences to notice or remember, but it's always a pleasant surprise when a new one comes to life ¨C for instance, the rain-sensing wipers often activate before I realize it's raining. When you shift into reverse, the navigation/5.1 channel surround stereo screen changes into a rearview camera monitor. One of the most amazing features: the passenger-side front seat is smart enough to sense if a child is sitting there and automatically shuts off the airbag. What more could a mother ask for? ¨C Terry Maley

Specifications
Wheelbase (in.) 116.0
Length (in.) 202.5
Height (in.) 74.3
Width (in.) 79.0
Curb Weight (Auto Trans) (lbs.) 5,665
Towing Capacity 7,700 lbs.
Engine 6.2 L
Cylinders 8
Horsepower 403
Torque 417 lb.-ft.
Transmission Six-speed Automatic
Seating (std) 7 or 8 passengers
Fuel Unleaded Regular
Fuel Capacity 26
Fuel Economy Avg. (city, hwy and towing)
Brakes 4 wheel disc
Wheels std. 18-inch
Optional Wheels 22-inch
Price $56,405 / Price as Tested $66,110 (Page Top)