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Cadillac Escalade - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade ranks 1 out of 11 Luxury Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 79 published reviews and test drives of the Cadillac Escalade, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Cadillac Escalade roars into 2010 with look-at-me styling, an impressive cabin, and good performance for its size. While some competitors drive smaller, the Escalade impresses with its luxurious cabin and old-school SUV capabilities.

The 2010 Escalade makes sense for buyers who need to haul a lot of people, tow heavy loads, and want luxury and outsized styling. Reviewers say that if it's a luxurious and powerful SUV you want, the Cadillac Escalade is a great choice. When it comes to large SUVs, carmakers are competing for a shrinking pool of buyers -- that's good news for you. If you truly need the luxury and capability a luxury large SUV provides, you should be in a good bargaining position.

The Escalade can seat up to eight people and comes in four models: the Escalade, Escalade ESV (an extended wheelbase version), the Escalade EXT (which trades the third row seat and enclosed cargo area for a short truck bed) and the Escalade Hybrid.

 The Escalade's size and power give it a thirst for fuel, though for 2010, that thirst has been reduced -- slightly.  The Escalade's 6.2 liter V8 engine now comes with cylinder deactivation, a system that shuts down four of the engines cylinders when they're not needed.  That saves you some fuel. But, if you want to save even more gas, check out the Escalade Hybrid -- but keep in mind that the Escalade hybrid starts at about $10,000 more than the conventional Escalade, and while the Escalade hybrid has good gas mileage for an SUV, you shouldn't expect fuel economy in line with what a small hybrid car might have.

In addition to cylinder deactivation, the Cadillac Escalade also adds a standard USB port for MP3 players and standard side airbags for the front seats for 2010.  If you can live without these niceties, you should consider shopping the 2009 Escalade as well as the 2010 model. Dealers need to clear the 2009 models from their lots, meaning that you could get a pretty good deal on one. 

As good as the deals on the Escalade have been recently, it competes in a very competitive class, and most manufacturers have been offering discounts. The Escalade is a solid performer, but others in the class, like the Toyota Land Cruiser, are easier to live with day-to-day and have better off-road capabilities.  The Land Cruiser and the Escalade cost about the same, so it's worth a look.  While the Escalade has one of the nicest interiors in the class, it loses points for its third row seat.  While that's typical for the class, if you need a comfortable third row that can handle adults, check out the Lincoln Navigator.  It has a lower base price than the Escalade and is one of the few SUVs that actually gets praise for its third row.

• "Ultimately, we think the 2010 Cadillac Escalade is one of the better large luxury sport-utility vehicles out there. For folks who feel the need for a combination of luxury sedan trappings and full-size SUV functionality, the Escalade proves that sometimes too much is just enough." -- Edmunds
• "Cadillac's full-size luxury sport-utility continues to impress with its strong V-8, extroverted appearance, and posh interior." -- Car and Driver
• "Escalade wagons are basically GMC Yukon Denalis with Cadillac looks, and add a pinch more power, extra standard features, and higher prices. All of GM's large SUVs are solid choices in their market segments, and although Escalade wagons may not be worth every penny of their extra cost over the Denali, they are Recommended picks in the premium large SUV class." -- Consumer Guide
• "If your driving life demands plenty of room for people plus cargo, along with luxury amenities and a brash aura, the Escalade could be your breed of SUV. Full-size dimensions translate into big dollars at the gas pump. If fuel economy is more important than towing ability, you may want to check out the Escalade Hybrid." -- Kelley Blue Book

Escalade Performance - 8.6 (Very Good)

Though some buyers may find its size daunting, some reviewers say that the Escalade has decent handling and lots of power.  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."  Still, the Escalade is a truck-based SUV, which means that some competitors offer smoother rides and better handling. Read More

Escalade Exterior - 9.1 (Excellent)

For many reviews (and buyers) the Escalade's appear is in its bejeweled exterior, which is now available with 22-inch wheels from the factory. "From its imposing grille to the oversize wreath-and-crest badge on the rear liftgate, this Escalade manages to look both brawny and stylish at the same time," says Edmunds Read More

Escalade Interior - 8.7 (Very Good)

With the seating for up to eight people and a host of luxury features standard, the Escalade can transport a crowd in comfort and style. While reviewers are impressed with the interior, they also complain about the Escalade's third row seat, which is cramped. However, complaints about the third row are typical for the class. Read More

Escalade Safety - NA

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade does very well in federal government crash tests. Its safety features are similar to the features offered by the competition. Read More

Escalade Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Escalade comes with GM's 10-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty, which matches the warranty of many imports and is longer than what most luxury SUVs offer. Read More