2002CadillacEscaladeCadillac Escalade2002 Cadillac Escalade AWDSport UtilityWagonAWDArlington, TXNo longer a mere Yukon Denali spin-off, the radiant new Escalade bursts onto the luxury SUV scene and attempts to maul its competitors with a monstrous 6.0-liter engine and enough technology to satisfy the target demographic.Vigorous powerplant, best-in-class towing capacity, handles well for a large SUV.No optional entertainment system, awkward steering wheel design, must pay the premium for all-wheel drive to get the big engine.Finally. The Escalade that Cadillac dealers have always wanted to sell is ready to tempt potential Navigator customers away from Lincoln showrooms. Certainly, Cadillac managed to sell the 1999 and 2000 Escalades, but reheated Yukon Denalis (based on the aged C/K pickup series) weren't terribly appealing to the luxury SUV crowd or to discriminating automotive journalists. As the first truck-based vehicle in Cadillac's 96-year history, the Escalade is an attempt to combine the best features of a luxury car with those of an all-terrain vehicle. And we think that this new generation will find its way into the garages of those who might not consider themselves "traditional Cadillac buyers." We had an opportunity to shop the new Escalade against its chief foes - a Lexus LX 470, a Mercedes-Benz ML 430 and a Navigator - and determined that the Cadillac is at least as good as any of its peers, perhaps better, save for the Lexus. Escalade buyers can now choose between an ever-capable all-wheel-drive model and a less expensive two-wheel-drive model. There is a catch, though. You must spring for all-wheel drive to get the giant, Escalade-exclusive high-compression Vortec 6000 V8, which makes 345 horsepower and 380 ft-lbs. of torque. An enhanced version of the current 6.0-liter used in three-quarter- and 1-ton full-size Chevy and GMC trucks, this engine shares its basic architecture with the LS1 V8 found in the Corvette. Two-wheel-drive models have a 5.3-liter powerplant that pours out 285 horsepower and 325 ft-lbs. of twist. Both engines use a heavy-duty version of GM's top-notch 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive model can tow up to 8,500 pounds, while two-wheel-drive Escalades can lug up to 6,600. The previous Escalade had only a four-wheel-drive system, whereas the new spawn offers the luxury standard of all-wheel drive. The system has a viscous coupling transfer case that continuously adjusts the torque to the wheels smoothly and imperceptibly, so the driver never feels wheel slip as traction is being maintained. Many of us cringed when we climbed into the predecessor, for it had only a few bits of wood and some gold lettering to distinguish it from a Denali. Fortunately, Cadillac has responded with a fresh batch of Cadillac-only niceties. Among these are a new gauge cluster and driver information center; an 11-speaker Bose Acoustimass audio system with an in-dash, six-disc CD changer; and a removable, 50/50 split-bench third-row seat. The standard OnStar communications system offers hands-free, voice-activated phone capability (without a separate cellular contract) and personalized news, sports, weather and financial information. Cadillac determined that its target customers - 55 percent male, household income of $125,000+, average age of 50 - are "technology-savvy" and that they "feel empowered by innovative technologies." In order to appease this group, designers loaded the new Escalade with plenty of gadgets. A self-leveling rear suspension returns the vehicle to its normal ride height when carrying heavy loads. Further, this Escalade gets StabiliTrak, a system installed on many Cadillacs that maximizes handling and braking performance on slick roads or during emergency maneuvers through a combination of stability enhancement, ABS and traction control. Sensors are used to compare the vehicle's actual path with the intended path. A fully automatic Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) system improves body stability, ride comfort, handling and towing performance. If you're planning to buy a luxury SUV, we recommend that you investigate the Escalade, since Cadillac has assembled an attractive package of performance, upscale amenities and all-weather utility. Acura MDXBMW X5GMC Yukon DenaliToyota Sequoia336,000336,000336,0006100,000NANANA86 litersV8345 hp @ 5200 rpm380 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm105 cu.ft.1575 lbs.8500 lbs.198.9 in.78.8 in.74.2 in.5554 lbs.116 in.38.3 ft.8.4 in.40.7 in.39.4 in.NANANANA41.3 in.38.6 in.8StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested26 gal.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$45,100$49,2907.35%$700N/A3% of the Total MSRPESCALADE AWD (4A): 6L V8 OHV SMPI 16-valve engine; driver's selectable multi-mode 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 600 amp HD battery with run down protection; engine block heater, engine oil cooler; 130 amp alternator; transmission oil cooler; full-time AWD, limited slip differential, 3.73 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; touring ride suspension, auto ride control, auto-leveling suspension, StabiliTrak electronic stability control (AWD only), front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, premium front shocks, rigid rear axle multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, premium rear shocks; power-assisted recirculating ball steering with speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 26 gal. capacity fuel tank; running boards, side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; HD trailering, trailer harness, trailer hitch; roof rack; front and rearbody-colored bumpers with front tow hooks, rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside cladding, body-colored fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully auto headlamps with daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights, underhood light; driver's body-colored heated power remote auto dimming outside mirror, passenger's body-colored heated power remote with tilt down outside mirror; 17" x 7" machined alloy wheels; P265/70SR17 BSW A/S tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, rear air conditioning with separate controls, air filter, rear heat ducts, rear heater; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan, 6-disc CD changer, 11 premium speakers, premium amplifier, auto equalizer, theft deterrent, fixed diversity antenna, radio steering wheel controls, rear controls; cruise control; power door locks with 2 stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child safety rear door locks; 5 power accessoryoutlets, front lighter element(s), retained accessory power, garage door opener, ashtray, emergency S.O.S. (OnStar); instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, clock, compass, exterior temp, trip computer, trip odometer, park distance control; warning indicators include oil pressure, transmission fluid temp; water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, turn signal on; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, tracker system, security system; deep tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, flip-up rear window, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 8, front bucket seats, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats with adjustable tilt headrests, driver and passenger armrests, driver's and passenger's seats include 10-way power adjustment, power 2-way lumbar support; heated 60/40 folding rear split-bench seat 2nd row reclining seat with tilt headrests, center armrest with storage; removable 50/50folding 3rd row split-bench seat with adjustable headrest; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert with carpet lower, full cloth headliner, full color-keyed carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, simulated wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, simulated wood door panel insert, simulated wood console insert, aluminum interior accents; memory on driver's seat with 2 memory setting(s); interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, 4 door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather/genuine wood steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, dashboard storage, 2 seat back storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo net, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; chrome grille, black side window moldings, blackfront windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.
ESCALADE 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of AWD (4A) equipment): 5.3L V8 OHV SMPI 16-valve engine; rear-wheel drive and traction control.