2008 Cadillac Escalade Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 68 Escalade reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade does very well in federal government crash tests. It also offers safety features similar to others in its class.
The Escalade gets top scores of five stars for driver and passenger safety in frontal crash tests. In side crash tests, it also gets top five-star scores for front- and rear-seat safety. Both the 2WD and 4WD models have a rollover rating of just three stars, The Escalade has not been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade comes standard with four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, and StabiliTrac, GM's stability control system. StabiliTrak uses a computer to detect unsafe conditions, then selectively applies the brakes and individual wheels and uses the throttle to maintain vehicle control. Autobytel says "Only when taken through emergency obstacle avoidance maneuvers or rapid lane changes does the Escalade truly show its size and weight, but the stability control system activates quickly to maintain control." Escalade buyers can also add an optional rearview camera (Part of the Information Package) to avoid accidents while backing up.
Crash Protection
StabiliTrak is coupled with a rollover mitigation system. When that system detects that a rollover is imminent, it deploys the Escalade's standard head curtain side airbags for all three rows of passengers, protecting passengers and preventing them from being thrown from the vehicle. In addition to the side curtain airbags that come standard for all three rows, the Escalade has dual-stage driver and front passenger front airbags with an automatic passenger sensing system.
