Who would have believed that when Cadillac introduced the Escalade luxury SUV in 1999 as nothing more than a breathed-on GMC Yukon, it would become one of the more hip and trendy status symbols to be flashed around by the celebrity elite in just a few years?
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade is an even bigger favorite with the Hollywood set, or anyone else looking for the ultimate boulevard bad boy thanks to the Escalade's 2007 makeover. There's more luxury, increased power, and added bling on the new Escalade. There's but a single trim level but every 2008 Escalade comes packed to the gunwales with premium features.
The massive chrome grille and high, wide, and handsome profile prevent the Escalade from blending with the background. Its platform remains GM's rock-steady full-size SUV chassis that's been further stiffened and fitted with a new coil-over suspension in the front and a five-link setup in the rear. The rack and pinion steering is also new and the tight 39-foot turning circle is a big help in urban maneuvers.
Under the hood, GM's 6.2 liter V-8 muscles together 403 horsepower with 417 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both available, but since few Escalades ever venture off-road, there's no transfer case. Mileage figures from the EPA put the Escalade in the 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway bracket. Towing capacity on the all-wheel-drive version is 7,400 pounds.
Inside, the Escalade is upscale all the way with the interior fit and finish. The leather and wood motif is strictly top drawer and every occupant gets all the room they need to stretch out, whether this jumbo Caddy is outfitted for six, seven or eight people. The Escalade is the overall class leader in interior cargo space, offering 60 cubic feet of room with the third row seat removed and over 108 cubic feet with the second row seat folded down.
There's a power liftgate, park assist, backup camera, and the windshield washer fluid is heated for when the temperatures drop below freezing. There's triple-zone climate control, power-adjustable pedals, remote starter, and an OnStar system. Want more gingerbread? The '08 Escalade features a surround sound Bose audio system, an in-dash 6-cd changer, satellite radio, optional cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, power folding second row seats, a moonroof, navigation system, and the list just goes on and on.
The base sticker price for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade equipped with all-wheel drive is $57,430. It's not the kind of money everyone has set aside for SUV shopping but for those whose tax bracket puts them into some very selective company; the 2008 Cadillac Escalade is exactly the kind of head-turning ride they'd expect for that upper crust price tag.