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SUVs Cadillac Escalade 2007 Caddy Escalade
145 messages, Last post on May 29, 2007 at 4:47 PM
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Replying to: rctennis3811 (Apr 25, 2004 11:54 am) 1) It needs a new dashboard. Using the same dashboard design found in the cheaper Suburban/Yukon XL, Tahoe/Yukon, Silverado/Sierra is unacceptable to me. Come on, isn't it bad enough that the same dash design is found on all General Motors fullsize trucks/SUVs? This design dates back to the year 2000, when General Motors redesigned it's fullsize trucks/SUVS. For paying a considerable premium over a loaded Yukon Denali, you would expect a little more substance. Also, why is the analog clock located so low on the dash? How do you see it? The wood on the dashboard is nice, but all in all an expensive vehicle like the Escalade should have a different dash to distinguish it from it's cheaper siblings. Hopefully this issue will be addressed in the redesign. Otherwise, the Escalade doesn't really justify it's high price tag. 2) The Escalade should also have a fold flat third row seat, just like the Expedition/Navigator. This feature makes the Escalade more family friendly. 3)The towing capacity of the Escalade rests at 8100 lbs. This is quite good, but to be more competitive, they should match or beat the 9100 pounds that the QX56 can tow, or the 8900 pounds that the Navigator can pull. They should stick with the same engine for next year. Or better yet, drop the SSR's 6.0 liter V8 390hp in there. Give it the power to compete with an ML55 AMG or Porsche Cayenne. Until the Escalade can meet all of this, my luxury SUV of choice is the Lincoln Navigator. It's got a good amount of power, the styling is subdued yet elegant, the interior is completely different from an Expedition, and the interior is cavernous, with tons of room for a family. The QX56 looks really cheap inside, and there's not enough there to justify the premium over the Nissan Armada. Again, just like the Escalade, the same dash, in an ugly gray color is used. The QX56 is only good with regards to engine power and value. How could the Escalade have won the 2003 Large Luxury SUV comparison test? JUst because it had a powerful engine? The real winner would have been the Lexus LX470 or the Lincoln Navigator. You can't go wrong with either one. |
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Replying to: lexusrocks (Mar 24, 2005 2:39 am) |
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Replying to: lexusrocks (Mar 24, 2005 2:39 am) "Also, why is the analog clock located so low on the dash?" Hey just look at down at the clock and you will see the time! Folding rear seats are not available in the LX470, the Range does even have a third row. And many others don't either so don't diss the Cadillac. REAL people buying these luxury utes are not going to be towing 8,000 lbs + of anything.They'll have someone do it for them and not in their truck. Most people wouldn't dare even take these Luxury SUVS off road, so dont' even think they would tow something. The towing issue PLEASE. Next. Rumor is that the next gen will have a 400hp available engine. The SRX is more up to par with the ML, X5, FX, RX, GX, and Cayenne not the Escalade it's more up with LX, Navigator, G, OX56. Take the Navigator, Cadillac wont hurt. 
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Replying to: blkcadillac (Apr 04, 2005 3:13 pm) You may have a point, blkcadillac. On Easter Weekend, we had our Navigator in Death Valley, off road on that nasty 30 mile long trail to the Racetrack, off the Ubehebe Crater - there was one other Navigator besides ours there, a couple of Lexus SUVs, but you are right - NO Escalades at all. Guess their owners don't dare take them off road, like you said. Must be a reason..... 
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I'm pretty sure that the interior will get a good update and will be totally redesigned. GM did it with many other vehicles (Chevy Malibu, Uplander & Equinox; as well as several Pontiac and Buick models), and I'm sure they will do it for the good-selling and important truck for GM, especially that the current dashboard is so outdated and unattractive, even worse than the old Malibu, Venture and others. This is the next thing. All redesigned vehicles in GM's lineup gets new interiors. I must point out, that even though they have nice interiors, many of them are from cheap quality, especially the Equinox. Many of the materials you touch are almost falling off. Some of the new Cadillac sedans which are praised by the media for the good driving dynamics also lack good quality interior materials, as stated in many publications and magazines. I hope that in the new Suburban/Yukon/Escalade redesign, they will add high-quality materials all over. |
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especially with the gorgeous Navigator's interior and the fact that the Navigator has more rear legroom than the ESV.... Don't get me wrong, the Escalade has its place in automotive history: right beside Snoop Dogg. The Escalade also needs to make use of the 6 speed auto that GM developed with Ford. I mean, the Navigator has it. Overall, I think that the Navigator is a better buy, but the Escalade is nothing to be sneezed at. The LX470 is a nice car, but it's really old. The QX56 is a rebadged Armada, and it's pretty obvious as they share the same interior. The Range Rover is in a different class from the Escalade to me: it's for someone who doesn't even need to justify spending outrageous amounts on gas an the car itself. It's kind of like the comparison between Lexus and Bentley. You don't need a Bentley, but hey! you have the money, so get it! The Range Rover is also gorgeous compared to the rather gaudy (IMO) Escalade. Oh, and the Elscalade is stuck on the road. Even an LX470 is a better off roader, and it's ancient compared to the Escalade. GM needs to make the Escalade different enough from the Suburban. Also, while I agree that super versions of anything are good, could you please, Cadillac, make a Platinum regular length Elscalade? I can't stand the ESV ones. They look like Suburbans. 
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I have enjoyed the discussion regarding the Escalade. I have owned 2 Escalades and am presently driving a Navigator. After several years of true experience and comparison I have a solid conclusion. The Escalade is in a category all its own! In no way does the Navigator even come close to comparing to the Escalade. I am in the process of trading the Navigator for a third Escalade. Does anyone have any idea about the 2006 Escalade? Will it be the same body style or will it be the much talked about 2007? If it will remain unchanged for 2006 I will probably trade for a low mileage 2005 and bide my time for one year until the new design is released. What do you think?
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Replying to: mrprice (Apr 30, 2005 6:50 pm) First which model year Navigator are you driving? And why does the Navigator not even come close in comparison to the Escalade? I know from the reviews that the Navigator seems slightly down on power, but most say the power is adeuqate for city and highway driving. Apart from that, that seems like the ideal full size SUV, along with the LX470. I have never driven or ridden in any of the two. Yet, to me the Escalade doesn't come close in comparing to the Navigator, simply because it is nothing more than a rebadged Tahoe/Yukon will different taillamps, headlamps and a really big grille. The dashboard is the same one that you'll find in any GM full size truck or SUV. So buy the Yukon and you get everything the Escalade has, except the styling and a little less wood. Does that jusify the Escalade's premium over the Yukon. To me not really. The Navigator surpasses the Escalade in everything else, except maybe power, which still isn't too bad. The Navigator has a beautiful interior, different from the Expeditions. Let's hope Cadillac can come with something better than a Chevrolet truck dashboard in the 2007 redesign. |
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 Isn't the Navigator a rebadged Expedition? ALL the SUVs in this class are flawed! The Lexus LX is quickly approaching 6 years old, is short on passing power, and the 3rd seat is well behind the times. The Navigator has a terrible power-to-weight ratio, looks like a lunch box, lacks the refinement of the Lexus (or LR3 for that matter), and it's for a vehicle named Navigator, it's navigation system hits on my Timex! The Escalade is also ancient, has a simple and sorry interior, has the weakest chassis and frame (why it has the most powerful engine, but relatively weak towing), and also 3rd seat issues. The Q56 has general styling issues (How many lumps would you like?), a cheap and chessy interior, and has already missed the Big-SUV party, as sales of these beast have plateaud or fallen. I agree with all of Lexusguy's Caddy improvements, starting with a new interior. They should probably offer 22's in chrome from the factory, too. If GM is smart. DrFill |
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Everything you said is technically true. Of the bunch though, the Navigator, IMO, is the least flawed. Though Expedition based, it resembles the Expedition the least, with a gorgeous and unique interior, luxury features like Air conditioned seats the others don't have, the 3rd row seat is the largest and most functional, folds flat to the floor, with power buttons. The independent rear suspensions does a lot for the ride and stability. The power running boards are fun, if not functional, and the engine is plenty gutsy for me. Never needed more than it has. I've tried the LX-470. Now THAT's underpowered, and the 3rd seat is a joke. The Escalade is all about the engine, and that's it. The QX-56 is the ultimate rebadge, and they're full of trouble. I think the Navigator is the best of the bunch. Good value for the money too. I've looked for a better one, can't find one, IMO. 
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