New 2012 Cadillac Escalade

Vehicle Overview
The full-size Cadillac Escalade SUV has appealed to celebrities and affluent 20-somethings since 2001, when a flashier version debuted. Its competitors include the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 570, Infiniti QX56 and other luxury SUVs. In the spirit of excess, the Escalade boasts available 22-inch wheels and a 6.2-liter V-8 with more than 400 horsepower. It can be configured to seat up to eight people and is available with rear- or all-wheel drive.

New for 2012
Apart from a revised navigation system and a variety of new anti-theft features, there are no significant changes for 2012.

Exterior
Three-tier headlights and a large crisscrossed grille define the Escalade's styling, while chrome applications throughout emphasize the vehicle's luxury status. Exterior features include:

• LED headlights optional, Side mirrors with integrated turn signals, Eighteen-inch wheels are standard; 22-inch wheels are optional
• Power liftgate standard

Interior
Two rows of captain's chairs and a three-seat bench in back are standard. An optional second-row bench ups seating capacity to eight. The center control panel flows into the floor console rather than being a separate unit. Interior features include:

• LED-backlit instrument panel, Standard tri-zone automatic climate control
• Leather seats with power adjustments in front and seat heaters in the first two rows
• Cooled front seats
• Navigation system standard, with new guide lines for the backup camera and weather-forecast information, DVD entertainment system available
• Power-tilting steering wheel; heated steering wheel available
• Available Platinum Edition features a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled cupholders, a leather-wrapped interior and a dual-screen entertainment system integrated into the rear of the front head restraints

Under the Hood
An all-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 makes 403 hp and 417 pounds-feet of torque. It works with a six-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 8,300 pounds (rear-wheel drive) or 8,100 pounds (all-wheel drive) when properly equipped. Cadillac includes standard scheduled oil changes, tire rotations, replacement of engine and cabin air filters, and multipoint vehicle inspections for four years or 50,000 miles. Mechanical features include:

• Standard rear-wheel drive; available permanent all-wheel drive
• Optional Magnetic Ride Control replaces mechanical shock absorbers with electronically controlled shocks that GM says react to the road more quickly

Safety

• Standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, Standard electronic stability system with rollover-mitigation technology
• Standard side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, Front-seat side-impact airbags
• Optional blind spot warning system