2011 Cadillac Escalade / Escalade ESV Expert Review
Reviewed by Staff Writer
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade continues its reign as the largest and most ostentatious luxury SUV on the market. Four years off its most recent redesign, the Escalade remains the de facto status symbol of the financially well-endowed.
Entering 2010, the Escalade improved its fuel economy with GM's Active Fuel Management technology, which shuts down half of the V-8 engine's cylinders when they're not needed. The Escalade Hybrid remains the only hybrid full-size luxury SUV on the market and offers significantly better fuel economy than non-hybrid models, but at a $10,000 premium that will take an estimated 12 years of fuel savings to pay off based on EPA fuel economy and cost data.
The Escalade also offers seating for up to eight people in three rows and multiple body styles including an extended wheelbase SUV and a short-bed truck. All models are well-equipped with luxury features and technology, though the vehicle lacks some significant features for its class, such as side curtain airbags and adaptive cruise control.
Bodystyles: SUV, TruckEngines: 6.2L V-8, 6.0L V-8 with two electric motorsTransmissions: 6-speed automatic, 4-speed automatic, Models: Base, Luxury, Premium, Platinum, ESV, EXT
Changes for 2011 are mostly minor, with some of the largest updates coming to the navigation and entertainment system, which now offers USB, Compact Flash and Auxiliary Input jacks. Two new paint colors are also offered, along with some minor updates to the OnStar hardware.
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade remains visually unchanged from its 2007 redesign. Heavy use of chrome brightwork is attention grabbing and assures that the Escalade stands out in a crowd.
The Escalade carries a laundry list of standard luxury features including automatic climate control, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth and heated leather seats. Options include an electronically variable suspension and rear-seat entertainment system.
Performance can be hard to come by in a vehicle weighing in the neighborhood of 6000 pounds, but the Cadillac Escalade's 403 horsepower V-8 handles the weight well with 417 pound-feet of torque on tap. So too does the Hybrid's 2 Mode system, which combines a 332-horsepower V-8 with two electric motors for 379 total horsepower. The Hybrid setup significantly improves the Escalade's city fuel economy. Optional all-wheel drive improves grip in inclement weather.
Driver and passenger front airbags are standard, along with side impact thorax bags front and rear for 2010. OnStar Automatic Crash Response is also standard, along with electronic safety devices including traction control and stability control.
2WD: 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway AWD: 13 mpg city/20 mpg highwayHybrid: 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway
- Status symbol
- Tons of space
- Hybrid model
- V-8 power
- V-8 fuel economy
- Steep price
- Expensive Hybrid model
- Jumbo size
Still the ultimate status symbol
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lexus LX
- Infiniti QX56
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- Audi Q7
