Though they differ in body style, the Cadillac Escalade, ESV, and EXT share drivetrains, chassis architecture and styling cues. All are built on GM's full-size truck platform and share much in common with their counterparts from Chevrolet and GMC.
These are big vehicles. Stretching 221.4 inches, the EXT and ESV are two inches longer than a Suburban, placing them among the longest vehicles on the road. The Escalade shares its dimensions with the Tahoe (198.9 inches long). By comparison, a Lincoln Navigator falls in between (206 inches).
If their size gives them presence, their bold styling pushes them over the top. Introduced for 2002, the Escalade was the first production vehicle to embody Cadillac's progressive new styling, with sharp, chiseled, vertical lines, and a grille inspired by the Evoq concept car. Escalade was the first to reflect Cadillac's new art and science design philosophy aimed at blending forward-thinking technology with expressive design. High intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with chrome bezels deliver a jewel-like appearance, and are integrated with rectangular parking lamps and turn signals. The vehicle's front fascia incorporates recessed tow hooks and rectangular fog lamps.
No question the Escalade has presence. Park a GMC Yukon alongside and it looks downright dowdy by comparison to the Cadillac. The Escalade's front end is massive and looks it with a big satin-nickel plastic grille and vertical halogen headlight clusters that measure 16 by 12 inches. Cadillac's new wreath and crest insignia, designed to symbolize a new Cadillac for the new millennium, is used on the grille and liftgate. Chrome trim is used on the nameplate, running boards and roof rack. Big 17-inch forged alloy wheels have a big round center with seven short wide spokes, and carry P265/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler HP tires. The signature wheels are attractive, but are less dynamic than the rest of the styling.
Somehow the sheer size of the Escalade ESV makes it look less intimidating than the Escalade. Perhaps it's because the ESV reminds us of a Suburban. It is essentially a luxurious Suburban with bold styling (though the ESV comes with the big 6.0-liter V8, all-wheel drive and other features). There's something friendly about a Suburban and that seems to make the ESV look a little friendlier. But there's no question about it: The Cadillac Escalade ESV represents the ultimate in SUV excess, both in terms of its size and its bold styling. Pulling up in one of these, particularly in White Diamond pearlescent metallic paint, makes a strong statement. Some might call it ostentatious. We don't recommend showing it off at your next Sierra Club function. The ESV Platinum Edition features 20-inch chrome wheels with P275/55R20 tires, a slightly lowered stance (20 mm front/23 mm rear), a chrome grille and Platinum lettering on the liftgate.
The EXT is the most unusual of the three with its open pickup bed. In its standard configuration, the EXT offers a roomy, luxurious, comfortable five-passenger cab and a 5-foot, 3-inch long cargo box. When more cargo room is needed, the driver can easily extend the bed to slightly more than 8 feet. The Midgate folds into the interior of the cab to create a 4-by-8-foot cargo area. Items can be protected from the elements and theft with the standard three-piece cargo cover and lockable tailgate. The cargo box also offers protection for items secured inside. The sides of the cargo box, along with the Midgate and tailgate, are constructed of Pro-Tec composite material. The rear window is removable to allow for additional cargo space or for added air circulation. The window is easily stowed on board and works in conjunction with the Midgate. It's an innovative and brilliantly executed solution to the problem of needing both passenger and cargo space. The system can be configured many different ways according to the driver's needs at the moment, the hardware is intelligently designed and of high quality. It's slick.
Getting into any of the Escalade models is easy enough. The exterior door handles are easy to grab. The liftgate on the Escalade and ESV raises with a surprisingly light touch.
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