New 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Is it a luxury pickup truck or a premium crossover utility vehicle? No matter what you call it, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT is a supremely capable vehicle with abundant power, a usable truck bed, and a wealth of upscale amenities.

Available solely with full-time all-wheel drive, the Escalade EXT derives its power from a robust 6.2-liter, 403-horsepower V-8 with Variable Valve Timing. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control and tow/haul mode, which is perfectly suited for major hauling duties. The full-time all-wheel drive system offers enhanced all-weather maneuverability and control.  The EXT gains E85 capability so you can burn corn instead of gasoline.  The EXT competes with the Hummer H2 SUT, Lincoln Mark LT and Toyota Tundra Limited.

The optional Ultra Luxury Collection includes a wealth of amazing amenities, including heated and cooled leather front seats and a heated steering wheel for all-season comfort. Standard power adjustable pedals allow drivers of all sizes to enjoy driving this mammoth machine. The optional rear-seat entertainment system features an in-dash DVD player with two roof-mounted flip-down 8-inch diagonal screens, four wireless headphones, and remote game plug-in to entertain rear-seat passengers. The available DVD-based Navigation radio includes an 8-inch LCD touch screen, 6-disc DVD changer, DVD audio/video, MP3 compatibility, and Premium Bose® Surround Sound System for unparalleled sound quality, along with turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts for detailed directions. Available massive 22-inch 7-spoke chromed aluminum wheels are the ultimate luxury accessory and supply serious amounts of bling.

The EXT is 20 inches longer than the Escalade and its rear cargo bed has 45.5 cubic feet of volume and the cab midgate flips inward along with the second-row seats allowing for 101 cubic feet of cargo space.

Dual-stage front airbags, head-curtain side air bags with rollover protection, and front side airbags protect all passengers in a collision. 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes stop the vehicle with authority and minimize wheel lockup during hard braking. Standard StabiliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation enhances vehicle control during evasive maneuvers and activates safety features if an imminent rollover is detected. Standard all-speed traction control has brake and engine intervention to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions and maximize traction.  An optional blind-zone alert system is new for 2009.

If you want all the luxury of a plush full-size SUV with the flexibility of a truck bed, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT is the vehicle for you.