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SUVs Cadillac Escalade 2007 Caddy Escalade
145 messages, Last post on May 29, 2007 at 4:47 PM
You are in the Cadillac Escalade Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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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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Lincoln = anit-cool. The division has zero momentum. Zero cachet. That hurts when you are talking $50k vehicles. I've SOLD the Expedition (and Exploder), so I'm very familiar with the IRS on it, and was not impressed at all with the ride-handling balance. The ride was rough AND loud to me. Given it's 6k weight, I'd expect better sound isolation and refinement. Haven't heard critics singing the praises for Ford/Lincoln in this department. It is probably the most people friendly when it comes to the size of the interior, with a 3rd seat fit for NBA players. And I like the interior redesign! Very nice! But just how often do you transport 6 or more adults in one vehicle? Most people would do it a couple times a year, but not enough to justify picking this vehicle for that job. Most want to take kids in the 3rd seat. The Navigator hasn't distinguished itself, even with a huge 3rd seat as an advantage, which tells me enough. It has a nice interior and 3rd seat, but it's not enough. I can get that in a Armada, or an Odyssey. All these rigs can tow 3 tons, so they all have enough towing strength. In the end, it doesn't seperate itself from the problems C&D listed when they compared the Sequioa, Tahoe and Expedition. It's too heavy, which hurts handling and economy (BIG these days). It's power only marginally quicker than the Lexus. It getting old in this design, which drew a collective yawn when it came out. And Lincoln in general has no buzz. It's like a morgue there! Why go to a Lincoln showroom? A knock-off Exploder and a knock-off Expedition creates no buzz. Lincoln has a lot of work to do. For $50k, people want to be sold before they get into the dealer. Navigator doesn't have that much heat. Speed, stylish rims, bold grille, that's Escalade appeal right now. That's what's hot. Navigator....not hot. DrFill |
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Sorry, I have been away for a while. As I posted earlier. I have owned 2 escalades and am presently driving a navigator. My wife also drives a Denali, Yukon. I am awaiting the release of the 2006 escalade which I cannot get ANY information on. My opinion is not from a technical comparison it is from true actual ownership and driving experience.It is reality. DrFill sums it up pretty well! I would describe an escalade as Fast, Strong, Stable, Stylish, Appealing, and having a unique identity. I would describe my Navigator as Soft, lacking Style and appeal, Sluggish and in the service department more often then the Escalade. My wifes Denali, Yukon falls between the Escalade and Navigator but definitely not in the same class as the escalade. Not to offend anyone, I would describe the Escalade as Manly and the Navigator and Yukon as Feminine. mrprice |
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Ford is redesigning the Expedition/Navigator "within the next 18 months". GM's new SUV will be "pulled forward to Early 2006", to stem the share/profit hemmoraging. Chrysler's response in 7-pass SUV's will be the Jeep Commander. DrFill
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Replying to: callmedrfill (May 03, 2005 9:12 am) Do you have any idea about changes for the 2006 Escalade. Will they possible release a 2006/2007 this year the way they released the 2003 a year early. mrprice |
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""Not to offend anyone, I would describe the Escalade as Manly and the Navigator and Yukon as Feminine."" Not to offend anyone, but the portion of cars that are sold to women is growing, and who knows how many men have their wives/girlfriends leaning in on the issue? It's a good marketing strategy to market toward women. I've ridden in an Escalade and driven a Navigator. The 3rd row in the Escalade is unacceptable for anyone over 5'3", and it seems like what little ambience of luxury is in the front didn't transfer to the back. The Escalade seemed floaty and it took forever to brake. However, it was a looker. The Navigator isn't really as weak as people like to think. A month or so ago my dad bought a new Navigator and he let me drive it while on a trip up to Lake Michigan for a yachting trip. It seemed very agile and it didn't run out of power. The interior is very well done. I even think that the 'Gator looks better than the Escalade because the Escalade is almost all about the looks. I fit in the 3rd row of the Navigator, barely. Also, the visibility in the Navigator was loads better due to its "showbox styling." Just my opinion, but the Escalade is in sore need of a redesign. |
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""Not to offend anyone, I would describe the Escalade as Manly and the Navigator and Yukon as Feminine."" I don't see how the Navigator is feminine. There are cars out there that are definitely feminine, such as the Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes SLK, Mazda MX-5 Miata. But the Navigator? Don't really think so. Full size trucks and SUVs generally aren't really feminine. Maybe the Honda Pilot and Toyota Sequoia ae exceptions to this, as they lack the bold styling that the competition has. If you can get over the bold grille and huge headlamps, you will realize that the Escalade is just a rebadged Tahoe/Yukon. It could be said that the Navigator is a rebadged Expeditions, but it has a good looking and stylish interior. I didn't know interiors like the Navigator weren't stylish and appealing. Luxury SUV's are about combining the luxury of a sedan with the power and utility of a truck. They are also about making a statement. The Escalade definetly makes a statement wiht it's bold styling. The Navigator isn't so bold, but it also won't go unnoticed. Face it, I don't think any other full size luxury SUV except the Escalade gets more looks than a Navigator. Then there's the interior. Lincoln was smart not to slap on wood on a Ford Expedition dash and call it the new Navigator. Lincoln thoughtfully made a new interior to justify the Navigator's +60K price tag. GM, the master of rebadging and badge engineering just slapped some wood and chrome on a Yukon/Tahoe dash and called it the Escalade's interior. If the Navigator got a horsepower raise, to say 350, I know it would dominate this segment. The Escalade, if it gets a new interior and more features may also dominate this segment. Until then, both of these trucks continue to sell. Finally, please don't call a vehicle Feminine just because you can't appreciate it. |
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| Yes, It is true I am partial to the Escalade. If we all had the same taste the roads would be pretty boring. I have been on the phone at length with Cadillac and it appears that no major changes are in line for the Escalade until 2007. It looks like another year of the same body style. Until then I will be content with the present styling. Happy driving! | |
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Ouch. GM better hurry.... the talking heads have been saying that the SUV craze is dying down a bit. I was just thinking: if you could take the engine and styling of an Escalade and the interior/transmission/suspension from a Navigator, you'd have a pretty good SUV. 
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