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SUVs Cadillac Escalade Cadillac Escalade
994 messages, Last post on Oct 13, 2009 at 4:12 PM
You are in the Cadillac Escalade Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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I just test drove the 2007 Escalade and its smokin! The interior is first class. The seat must use a new frame design because it is totally different than last years. The old seats had frame bars that went right into my kidneys. Ergonomically GM is begining to get it. The flat panel display for NAV and radios uses one of the biggest screens I've seen in any car and it is touch sensitive. The bigger screen makes it easier to use and safer. The quality of the materials inside is on par with the highest levels seen in any domestic car and most likely many foriegn competitors. As far as the ride goes, the exhaust they put on the car sounds a little throaty, but I guess they wanted to make sure you knew it had a big engine underneath. The all wheel disk brakes were right on and for the most part, the car tracked pretty well in turns. Not much rolling. If only GM would figure out how to eliminate the wind noise from those big mirrors on the freeway they might really be on to something when it comes to road noise. Other than the engine, the car is really quiet. It is a fantastic car, and GM knows it. It is pricey, and the lease program sucks right now. They really should have made it more attractive to buy so they can get them on the road and get everyone talking about them. For now only those with money to burn will take the plunge, but the water is warm and the sun is shining on GM as they have something that is really top notch. The 2007 Escalade is certainly a car to want for. |
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| Just had a rental of a 2007 Escalade (National Car Rental at Denver airport). I have not been much of a GM fan but this is a nice ride. Powerful, looks great, rides tight and is firm and quiet. The only disappointment was the interior, but let me qualify that: the interior, especially the dash, looks great. Instrument nacelle is very cool and all controls were well placed. Seats very ergo-friendly. Two things came to mind: the materials quality is so-so, especially the "wood trim" - it is just plastic and looks it. Also, the chrome door handle feels like a heavy plastic, and had a sharp ridge along the top! Same rough feeling on the end of the left-side control stalk. These are fine points, but at this price point I don't expect to find these flaws. But as big SUV's go, this thing is fun to drive and fun to be seen in. | |
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No Discount for You: Cadillac Holds Price on '07 Escalades (Inside Line) Steve, Host |
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Replying to: steve_ (Mar 21, 2006 4:24 pm) I wish someone would report on this drive train! It would be nice to know if the new 6 speed tranny is really great or so so or what. |
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Replying to: sfleming (Mar 26, 2006 8:02 pm) The manual shift option is really a "suggested" gear option. It doesn't let you you bogg down if you fail to downshift, then try to accelerate. Likewise, if you get too many rpms, it will shift anyway. When towing is engaged, it will downshift to hold your speed downhill after tapping the brakes. Caught me off guard at first, but it's seems to be a brake saver. I live in the Lake Tahoe area, and I would cook and warp the rotors on the Denali every 10k. When NOT in tow mode, I sense it also doing some downshifting, but at much lower ratios. Similar to the BMW X3 my wife has. I'm most interested in the towing, as I have a 4000lb boat that really caused stress on the old 4 spd Denali. Its either bogged or screaming at freeway speeds on hills. I'm hoping the gear spread means I'm not in 2nd gear, doing 5000 rpm's up the grade on I-80. Boat comes out of storage once the snow melts. If anyone's interested, I'll post a report. Sorry for the long post. (New Member...)
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Replying to: awf_axis (Mar 27, 2006 2:08 pm)  Welcome to Edmunds. Since you are a new owner, others would appreciate a deal report over in the Cadillac Escalade: Prices Paid & Buying Experience discussion. Thanks! Steve, Host |
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Replying to: awf_axis (Mar 27, 2006 2:08 pm) Thanks ever so much for the report. I've been begging someone that actually knows what a transmission IS to report on this new 6 speed. I put off buying my wife an Escalade last year cause I was waiting for the '07s both for the model change and for the improved drive train. I am seriously waiting to hear from you on the towing issues. Guess you guys up there just got a record snowfall so maybe it will be a while. Don't forget us. Nobody else is talking about these issues. How do you find the full time 4 wheel drive? Do you miss a selectable gearbox? Regards, Scott |
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Replying to: awf_axis (Mar 27, 2006 2:08 pm) |
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In response to both posts above, I'll combine the comments. I started driving GM SUV's in 96. 1996 Suburban w/ 4WD H/L. Only ever used LOW for novelty when driving on a dirt road once, but never really had to use it. If I put it in 4WD during the snow, the front steering became a bit tight on dry pavement. In 2001, got my 1st Denali. The steering was a non issue now because of the mechanical improvements. However, one time I was pulling the boat on Lahonton lake (shore), we got stuck in some soft sand. Even with everyone out of the truck, and unloading the camp gear, the AWD could not pull free. No wheel spin, just not enough low gear. Had to get pulled out. 320 hp (2001 rating) floored was not doing it. I had 305x50x20 wheels, so the grip was good, and floated above the sand. In 2005, I traded the Denali for a Denali XL. Even though it was the same body style (but like driving a cave), it was mechanically more refined than the 2001. AWD very smooth, and steering was much firmer (in a positive way) (even before putting on the 20's I had on the 2001). In December when I found out about the new 2007 GM line, I put it up for sale before the resale value dropped too much. Paid $44k during GM's give-away period (May '05 - $6k incentives), and the dealer sold it at invoice as well. $56k sticker for $44k. In Feb this year, I sold it for $40k, 5500 miles) I've never since had a need for low gear, and I like the idea of not even having to think about it. Same with my wife's BMW X3. Regarding the wheels, (GAP2006), my humble opinion would be to get (and keep) the 22's. The ride on the '07 is tuned for the higher wheel weight, and the ride is fine. Admittedly, it is firmer than the 2005 Denali was (on 17" wheels), but not near as bumpy and squirrelly as my aftermarket 305x50x20 wheels. The squirrelly part is how I describe the wheels seeking hi/lo spots in the road. I hated this attribute in the steering, but as guy fighting middle-age, I decided the cool factor took precedence. Anyway, the 07 drives straight, and the ride is far less jarring than the BMW's. The rack & pinion steering is an improvement, as I'm not "sawing" the steering wheel on the freeway. However, I think they could have made it firmer. Feels a bit over-boosted, like the 2001 was. As for snow traction, I found it pretty good so far. In winter, I put the Denalis back on the factory 265x65x17 wheels, and these are just as good. The 305's floated badly, and I had to go stock in winter. If your thinking of putting alternate rims, keep in mind that GM has pushed out the axles a bit. You need to have a pretty large positive off-set. The factory wheels say 35mm, which isn't that common on the off-the-shelf wheels. So if your thinking 305mm tires, you'd need 40 to 44mm off-sets. Even with the 285mm tread and 35mm off-set, the wheel is just barely tucked. My only complaint therefore is that in snow and rain, lots of muck gets thrown on the mirrors, running boards and doors. The '02-'06 Caddy cladding (and Denali too) kept the sides cleaner. As for safety, I would think that Caddy has put a reasonable amount of testing in the 22' wheels. The 285mm width isn't really that radical, and worst risk is a big pot-hole (at high speed) compressing the sidewall enough to cause rim damage. The rim is about 3/4 inch inside the outermost portion of the rubber, so scrubbing on the curb won't be an issue at slow speed when parking. Sorry for the long answer, but I can type faster than I can talk. Dave
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Replying to: awf_axis (Mar 31, 2006 7:10 am) Thanks for that great answer. It really helps a lot. I know what you mean about the middle-age cool factor. That's why I'm going from a Mercedes E500 to an Escalade. Plus I think it's time I started to buy American again and am a little tired of the smug attitude we get from Germany and Japan. The dealer is loaning me the car for the weekend so I'll have a good chance to check out the 22s on all the country roads around here and get a good feel for it. I will report back to you and the Forum on my experience. Thanks again. Greg |
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