- pickup 78,712
- 24,981 high price
- Charlevoix, MI
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- autoshopper.com
2008 cadillac escalade ext review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Big and powerful. introductionthe cadillac escalade is big in every way: in sheer size, in style, in comfort, and in power. All-new for 2007, this latest escalade breaks from the customized-suburban mold of its predecessors to provide a smoother, more integrated, more sculptured look. More than anything, it looks like big money, big success, big bling. the look is no deception. Navigation and dvd entertainment are available, as are a rearview camera and retractable running boards. the escalade is offered in three body styles: the standard escalade is a full-size sport utility sharing the same architecture and roughly the same dimensions as the chevy tahoe. The escalade esv is a long-wheelbase version, roughly the same dimensions as the chevy suburban. They share their platforms with the chevy tahoe, suburban, and silverado, as well as the gmc versions. at the same time, they're roomy and luxuriously appointed, letting them haul family or friends or business associates in real comfort. The 6. 2-liter v8 supplies serious power for surprisingly quick acceleration. On the road, all three escalade versions are smooth and stable. They ride smoother than the tahoe or suburban; but are at the same time taut and well-controlled for surprisingly good handling by full-size suv standards. for 2008, both the standard escalade and esv come with rear-wheel drive (2wd) or optional all-wheel drive (awd), while the ext pickup comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Late in the 2008 model year, a gas-electric hybrid version and an ultra-luxury platinum edition will be available. Otherwise, the 2008 escalade is not significantly changed from last year. lineupthe cadillac escalade is a full-size sport utility vehicle. All models are powered by a high-output 6. 2-liter v8 engine. Also standard are a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control, 18-inch alloy wheels, and autoride suspension. the escalade is available with rear-wheel drive 54,740) or all-wheel drive 57,295). Standard features include leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel with genuine wood highlights, aluminum and faux wood interior trim, bose 5. 1 digital surround sound audio with am/fm/xm/6cd, power adjustable pedals, power windows, power locks, fog lamps, remote vehicle starting, rear climate control, six-passenger seating configuration, third-row bench seat, heated first and second row seats, ultrasonic rear park assist and heated windshield washer fluid. the escalade esv is available in 2wd and awd 59,710). The esv features an additional 14 inches of wheelbase and 20 more inches of overall length, greatly enhancing third-row seat legroom and cargo space. It comes with all the same standard luxuries as the shorter escalade. the escalade ext 54,215) deletes the third-row seat in favor of a lined, lockable and enclosable pickup bed with manually folding midgate and removable rear window. Otherwise, the ext is equipped the same as the standard-length escalade. options on all escalade models include retractable assist steps 1,095); a power tilt-and-slide sunroof 995); rear-seat dvd entertainment 1,295); engine block heater 75); chromed 18-inch wheels 795); and an ultra luxury collection 7,735) that combines navigation, a rearview camera, intellibeam headlamps, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, and 22-inch wheels. On the esv, the dvd entertainment system 1,895) includes an additional flip-down screen for third-row passengers, plus an additional set of headphones. Passive safety features include front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters, dual front air bags and side curtain air bags that span all three rows of seats. Tire pressure monitors are also standard. walkaroundthe front end of every escalade is dominated by a bold, egg-crate grille that's dripping with chrome trim. The grille is flanked by three-element, vertical headlamps that tie the vehicle more closely than ever to the rest of cadillac's lineup. As with the front end, there is abundant chrome, including on the door handles, the huge exterior mirrors, the full-length metal roof rails (which provide anchor points for accessory crossbars for securing cargo on the roof) and venti-ports above the front wheels, which seem to be a response to the trendy elements found on range rovers and jaguars. another clear response to market trends are the optional 22-inch chrome wheels, which visually plant the vehicle, completely filling the escalade's huge wheelwells and making the standard 18-inch wheels look positively puny by comparison (though we prefer the 18-inch wheels). particularly appreciable in colder climates are the pull-type door handles that are easy to grasp, even with gloves on. A high-mounted, horizontal brake light with led illumination crosses the top. But the dominant feature of the escalade's tail is the enormous badge set within a chunky block of chrome trim. a surprisingly low bumper height both reduces the truck look while providing easier access to the cargo area; from the ground to the cargo floor is a respectable 32. 3 inches. The class iii tow hitch that comes standard is covered by a trim panel that is removable when not need, and which easily can be refitted once a trailer is detached. interiorthe escalade's interior was designed to provide luxury both in terms of space as well as features. Escalade comes standard with seven-passenger seating, with second-row bucket seats separated by a center console, with a three-passenger, third-row bench behind it. The third-row bench on the standard escalade has marginal legroom, making it suitable for adults for short trips only; kids should be fine for longer trips. the ext pickup is available only with a three-across bench seat in the second row, so it seats up to five people. escalade esv adds nearly 10 inches of additional legroom for the third row, making it a pleasant place even for six-footers. Also, getting into the third row is easier with esv, its longer rear door providing a larger opening when the second-row seat is folded. though step-in is somewhat high, which is to be expected for a full-size suv, the driving position is stellar. Escalade's streamlined, low dashboard is much more like a car-like than expected, providing easy access to controls without resorting to an imposing bank of buttons and switches. The result is a feeling of openness, with excellent outward vision to the front and side. interior trim is very high in quality. The mix of soft, padded materials, genuine aluminum accents, chrome details and relatively convincing faux wood combine with soft leather seats for an ambience on par with other luxury-brand suvs in this price range. Two color schemes are offered: ebony-over-ebony, or cocoa-over-cashmere. the escalade's backlit gauges are clear and bright, featuring white markings and blue pointers on a black background. Between the speedometer and tachometer lies an information display that cycles through several menus via buttons on the steering wheel. The stalk controls for the turn signals and wipers have the supple, expensive feel worthy of the cadillac name, as do the buttons and knobs on the radio and climate controls. escalade comes standard with a 10-speaker (eight-speaker on ext) stereo that features a six-disc changer that plays both cds and audio dvds. Bose designed the speaker system, outfitting the vehicle with 5. 1 surround sound, an eight-channel amplifier and a subwoofer. Xm radio comes standard. on vehicles without the navigation system, the head unit presents audio information clearly. On vehicles with the navigation system, the radio features are incorporated into the touch screen-based interface. Onstar route guidance is also included, for those times when getting directions from a live person is preferred. The navigation system is about mid-pack in terms of clarity and simplicity within its competitive set. a rear-seat entertainment system is available, utilizing a flip-down eight-inch screen that folds down from overhead. The dvd driver itself is mounted in front, but does not play the movie in the front seats.
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