2002 Cadillac Escalade

GM's OnStar satellite tracking/navigation/concierge service is also included. Standard on the Escalade is OnStar's premium Virtual Advisor and Personal Calling services. These voice-activated features place calls as well as supply on-demand data such as stock quotes, sports scores, and weather reports. Sonically, Escalades have a Bose Acoustimass system, comprised of an AM/FM/cassette unit with single-load 6-CD changer and 11 speakers.

Chronographic instrumentation seems gaudy at first?presentation takes precedence over information. However, Cadillac hopes to raise the pulse?and lower the age?of its average customer.

GM prefers to think of the fiberglass pieces as integrated molding as opposed to cladding. Regardless, these panels are body-colored. Escalade's grille is inspired by the Evoq concept car and includes an aerodynamic-looking wreath and crest, flanked by vertically stacked lamps. It rides on 17x7.5 wheels. Functionally, Escalade have lightweight aluminum liftgates. Escalade also has Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, which uses both a beeper and flashing LEDs to warn the driver before crunching the rear fascia.


Overall, Escalade is well engineered and executed. It's even more like the marque's luxury cars than the pickup trucks that share the SUV branch of the GM family tree. In fact, the driver's main challenge is staying awake during long trips in this comfortable, quiet and smooth vehicle. Further, Escalade is so well-appointed that a sunroof and an engine heater are its only options. The new Escalade went on sale in early 2001 as a 2002 model. (No 2001 model-year Escalades were made.)

No longer a Denali knock-off, the 2002 Escalade has its own persona. The large emblems are destined to become necklace fodder. Can a gold-trim package for international arms dealers be far behind?

First and foremost when behind the wheel, the Escalade's extra ponies are definitely noticeable compared to other 6.0 V-8 shod GMs. With the transmission in "normal" mode (the Tow/Haul setting on the blinker stalk increases shift firmness and raises gear-change points a few hundred rpm), the Escalade climbs to highway speed deceptively fast because the shifting is so smooth. On twisty country roads, the StabiliTrak is odd, akin to the first time ABS pulsation is felt through the pedal. Anal-retentive control freaks will resent this system's auto-pilot, although the computer-controlled braking and throttle modulation is much subtler and smoother than, say, descending a 7% grade in a Class A diesel motorhome and hitting the jake brake. We didn't tow with the Escalade, but StabiliTrak seems to be designed with those rare tail-wags-the-dog situations in mind.


Those who have to have it all (but still want to park in the garage) will undoubtedly be attracted to the Escalade. Its exterior styling and très moderno instrument panel will surely appeal to a younger buyer than the stereotypical Social Security-aged Caddy customer. Escalade's technology should appeal to sports-sedan owners and Caddy loyalists who've heretofore done their SUV shopping at Lincoln, Rover, Mercedes, BMW, or Lexus stores. Night vision, vibrating seats and V-10 power are seemingly the only upgrades left for future Escalade generations. (www.cadillac.com)