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Playing to a big crowd
Cadillac Escalade ESV has the game to make the grade
By Bob English
Thursday, January 8, 2004
My 16-year-old, basketball-player friend and neighbour waxed enthusiastically about the Cadillac Escalade ESV I took him for a spin in.
He's a big guy and the scale of the thing appealed to him, as does its obvious visual presence and the traditional-style Cadillac statement (or overstatement?) it makes. He tells me professional basketball players and other big-buck athletic types love them.
The ESV does possess a more sober and conservative side. It's based on the Chevrolet Suburban, after all, which I'd guess most purchasers buy for practical purposes. That is, hauling as many as eight people and heavy (up to 3493 kg) trailers, rather than simply occupying enough driveway space to impress the neighbours - and possibly those interpreting spy satellite imagery.
This Escalade ESV will definitely do these things, and with a high level of luxury.
But I think my friend is right about its main appeal. You definitely won't go unnoticed driving what the brand mavens tout as the roomiest, most powerful, full-size luxury SUV in the world.
It's also the biggest Cadillac ever made. You could say this thing has bling-bling up the ying-yang.
The ESV, first introduced in 2003, was the third Cadillac 'truck,' following the Chevrolet Tahoe-based Escalade and Avalanche-based Escalade EXT. They have now been joined by the new, medium-luxury SRX SUV to round out the lineup.
The idea behind the Caddy SUV family was to attract a different and younger buyer to a brand whose demographics were taking on a decidedly geriatric flavour. Along with a new model and styling direction for the passenger car range, these truck-based vehicles are helping to steer Cadillac towards a much needed image turnaround.
If you really need something as big and job-capable as this - and can afford to add luxury appointments to make your chosen tasks more comfortable and enjoyable - then the ESV is undeniably the machine for the job.
It's got the power and ruggedness to handle coast-to-coast hauls with ease.
If you're merely looking to draw attention to yourself though, there have to be better ways. The ESV is simply too large and unwieldy to be a pleasant daily driver, at least in an urban environment. It's difficult to get into and out of due to its step-in height. Plus its sheer length - some 559 mm longer than the Escalade - makes it tough to manoeuvre in tight quarters.
Parking it can be a dauntingly uncomfortable, and potentially embarrassing, experience - be thankful for standard electronic park assist. I found I was constantly aware of its size, though I suppose familiarity would have improved my confidence level. Smaller drivers will appreciate the ESV's power adjustable pedals. On the highway its bulk is less noticeable. Straight-line stability is fine, but its over-assisted power steering, ponderous turn-in response, body-roll and very early understeer make cornering, at anything but very moderate speeds, something to be undertaken with reluctance. In other words, it has the handling dynamics of a top heavy truck. Still, the ride quality is surprisingly supple thanks to Cadillac's clever Road Sensing Suspension, which electronically controls the damping rate separately on all four shock absorbers.
The ESV is a body-on-frame design with independent front suspension and a well-located live axle at the rear.
It comes equipped with a full-time, all-wheel drive system, StabiliTrak anti-skid and traction control system, P265/70R17 Goodyear Touring radials and 4-wheel disc brakes (with anti-lock), all of which are on your side when it comes to keeping it under control. But, with its sheer bulk and 2640 kg mass, accident-avoiding agility isn't its long suit, and neither are particularly short stopping distances.
Given that it's capable of hauling its own weight, a payload of 626 kg (cargo volume, rear seat removed is 1801 litres) and towing its 3,000 kg-plus maximum load you'd expect this big unit to need some power. The engine is a 6.0-litre Vortec V8 rated at 345 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. This is delivered through a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission that shifts smoothly to an all-wheel drive system that works with the stability and traction control systems.
My stopwatch recorded a zero to 100 km/h time of just over eight seconds, and 80 to 120 km/h in about six seconds. Both are surprisingly quick numbers for a vehicle of this size.
Overall driveability is excellent, although fuel economy is a bit scary.
Inside, you'll find a full suite of conventional looking instruments, a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, very comfortable and supportive first class seating. Business class seating in the second row is fine too, but third row steerage isn't where you want to spend any real time.
The Escalade ESV's trucky, Suburban roots show just a bit here and there, but overall the Cadillac influence prevails to make this a very pleasant and quiet interior that wouldn't be a problem in which to spend some extended time.
For its base price of $79,215 the ESV, as you'd expect, comes with a long list of equipment. This includes the OnStar communication system, all the usual power features, front and side airbags, Premium Bose stereo with 6-disc changer, automatic dimming inside mirror with compass and outside temperature, automatic headlamps, driver message centre, electronic climate control and … well there's a whole brochure's-worth more.
Our tester came with the optional DVD navigation and entertainment systems and a trailer towing package that added about $5,500 to the price.
An interesting and well-done transformation from suburban to country club, but I wouldn't want one - unless I could also afford a trailer and vintage race car to go with it.
Immediate competition: Chevrolet Suburban,
Ford Excursion,
GMC Yukon XL,
Lexus LX 470,
Lincoln Navigator,
Toyota Sequoia
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