2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT Walkaround Review at Automotive.com
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2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT Review: Exterior

Resale Price: $9,028 - $16,700 / Used Value Calculator
Value Rating: Excellent / Maintenance Costs
Fuel Economy: 12 MPG city / 16 MPG highway / Engine Specs
 

2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT Review

Black tie pickup.
Walkaround
At first glance, the EXT is unabashedly masculine and hulking. A wide-slatted front grille and oversized and squared, jeweled headlamps are key elements to its bold-faced look that continues with monochromatic fenders and body moldings, as well as a high ground clearance of nearly a foot and a bed height of 25 inches. Running boards help those more vertically challenged to find their way into the roomy cabin.

Despite its aggressive appearance, this SUT is still modern and sleek looking and clearly strikes the pose of a country club pedigree. It's offered in three basic colors - Sable Black, Silver Sand and White Diamond - which adds to its simple, yet powerful, presence.

Not everyone will like its so-called "Art & Science" design, but it certainly makes a strong impression, as does the large revamped Cadillac badge, which sits center-stage on the grille. Like its cousin, the Chevy Avalanche, the EXT spouts dramatic sail panels, or C-pillars, that act as structural supports behind the rear seat and visually link the passenger and cargo area. The rear is stylishly tapered with large lamps, an integrated step-up bumper and a second Caddy badge on the tailgate.

Door handles are large and easy to grip. The luggage rack is nicely integrated onto the roof and not imposing in style or dimensions. Wheels are attractive 17-inch seven-spoke cast aluminum and are matched to P265/70R17 Goodyear tires.

Of note are the power-folding and heated exterior rearview mirrors (electrochromic on driver's side) with puddle lamps on the underside that illuminate the ground at night to assist with getting in and out of the EXT. The mirrors can be programmed to provide a curb view when the vehicle is in reverse gear. Integrated fog lamps are tucked into the base of the front bumper and courtesy lighting illuminates the sides and rear. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist can help in steering this sizable truck into tight spaces, especially when towing, by beeping faster as the EXT is backed closer toward an object. Next Page



Community Comments
s.johnson_1  (06/25/08 08:34 AM)

The first car I ever owned (in 1972) was a '69 1/2 2 door Datsun 510.  I still miss that car!  You could either use the brakes or turn on the a/c to slow it down.  I stripped the under dash a/c system out and patched the firewall holes with duct tape and spray undercoating on the engine side of the firewall.  I added a front BRE spoiler, bigger front sway bar and added a rear sway bar.  I cut the shifter down to make the "throw" shorter and installed a 13" steering wheel and a tachometer.  I found out that 4 lug Corvair wheels (pre '65 I think) had the right offset but were much wider than the stock 4.5" rims and worked really well with a set of Goodyear Polyglass A-70's (about as high tech as we had back then).  It had a free flow exhaust system so it sounded faster than it actually was but it was fun to drive and handled better than most (cheap) cars at the time.  At the time I crewed for a friend (my employer) who raced E Production with a Porshe Speedster and I drove to a number of tracks in the SE.
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