2005 Cadillac Escalade Summary & Specs Review at Automotive.com
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2005 Cadillac Escalade Review: Summary & Specs

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2005 Cadillac Escalade Review

Luxury doesn't get much bigger than this.

2005 Escalade Review Summary & Specifications

The Cadillac Escalade is one of the most luxurious SUVs available. Escalade, ESV and EXT are big, distinctive vehicles with flashy styling. Equipped with the 6.0-liter V8, they boast lots of horsepower, though they also have lots of weight to move. These vehicles feel stable on the road and have a relatively soft ride. They are highly capable tow vehicles.

Escalade and ESV come with three rows of seats and are rated to carry up to eight people, but those who intend to carry this many people often are better served by the Suburban-sized ESV. When set up for four people, either Escalade or ESV can carry a mountain of cargo. EXT offers the innovative Midgate system popularized by the Chevy Avalanche, and is a clever and well-executed solution for someone who alternately needs a pickup truck and a luxury passenger vehicle.

New Car Test Drive correspondent Sam Moses reported from the Columbia Gorge, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles.

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2005 Cadillac Escalade Specs
Vehicle CategorySport Utility Vehicles
EditorSam Moses
Model LineupCadillac Escalade 2WD ($52,635); Escalade AWD ($55,535); Escalade EXT ($52,815); Escalade ESV ($57,935); Escalade ESV Platinum Edition ($69,305)
Engines (standard)6.0-liter OHV V8
Transmissions (standard)4-speed automatic
Engines (optional)295-hp, 5.3-liter OHV V8 (Escalade 2WD only); 345-hp, 6.0-liter OHV V8
Transmissions (optional)4-speed automatic
Safety Equipment (standard)dual-stage front airbags and front side-impact airbags, ABS, Traction & Stability control, Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, tire pressure monitor
Safety Equipment (optional)none
Basic Warranty4 years/50,000 miles
Assembled InArlington, Texas (Escalade); Silao, Mexico (ESV & EXT)
Manufacturer Phone1-800-333-4CAD
Manufacturer URLwww.cadillac.com
Base Price MSRP52635


2005 Cadillac Escalade Specs as Tested
Model Tested MSRPCadillac Escalade ESV ($57,935)
Standard Equipmentleather interior with burl wood trim; 14-way adjustable heated front bucket seats; second-row heated bucket seats with audio and climate control; removable third-row seats; Bose premium audio system with cassette and six-disc CD; XM Satellite Radio; 24-hour roadside assistance; road sensing suspension; trailering package; tire-pressure monitor; all-wheel drive; StabiliTrak with traction control
Options as Tested (MSRP)rear-seat DVD entertainment ($1,295); 17-inch chrome wheels ($795)
Destination Charge850
Gas Guzzler Tax
Layoutall-wheel drive
Price as Tested60875
Horse Power345 @ 5200
Torque380 @ 4000
Fuel Economy13/17
Wheelbase130.0
Length/Width/Height221.4/79.5/75.7
Track Front/Rear
Turning Radius43.1
Seating Capacity7
Front Head/Hip/Leg room40.7/61.4/41.3
Middle Head/Hip/Leg room39.0/61.6/39.1
Rear Head/Hip/Leg room38.6/49.2/37.2
Trunk Volume131.6
Payload
Towing Capacity7700
Front Suspensionindependent, upper and lower control arms, torsion bars, anti-roll bar, computer-controlled shock absorbers
Rear Suspensionlive axle, upper and lower trailing links, Panhard rod, coil springs, anti-roll bar, computer-controlled shock absorbers
Ground Clearance10.7
Curb Weight5808
Stock TiresP265/70R17
Brakes Front/Reardisc/disc with ABS
Fuel Capacity31
2005 Cadillac Escalade
  
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