The contemporary Escalade is a style icon in its own right. All-new and completely redesigned for 2007, tangible changes may be witnessed in its striking exterior styling, the roomy cabin with plush and refined amenities, a beefed-up 6.2-liter 403 hp V8 engine along with a 6-speed automatic transmission with Drive Shift Control, besides optional head curtain airbags and power-folding second-row seats.

The Escalade is offered in three versions; the standard Escalade which is a full-size SUV, the Escalade ESV with the same dimensions as the Standard, and the Escalade EXT which is a combination of a sport utility and a pickup in that it converts from a pickup with an eight-foot bed to a five-passenger SUV.

All variants share the same engine. The standard Escalade though offers a rear-wheel drive as well as an all-wheel drive, while the ESV and EXT only offer an AWD. 22-inch chrome wheels, a Climate Package for the front seats, and power fold-and-tumble second-row seats are among some available equipment.

It has a basic warranty of 48 months or 50,000 miles. Others in its segment include the Porsche Cayenne, the Ford Expedition, the Lincoln Navigator, the Volvo XC90, the Infiniti QX56, the GMC Yukon, the Hummer H2, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, and the Lexus LX 470.

An all new 6-speed automatic transmission comes with electronically controlled shifts, a Driver Shift Control manual mode, Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS), and tow/haul mode.

The Escalade offers a choice of a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or an all-wheel-drive (AWD). Towing capacity amounts to 7,700 lbs. on the AWD and 8,000 lbs. on the 2WD.

The Escalade with the RWD gives an EPA estimated fuel economy of 13/20 mpg (city/highway) and the AWD renders 13/19mpg (city/highway).

It has justifiably earned the Cadillac wreath and crest with its royal bearing, great ergonomics, and a rising sales graph. The Escalade is all rippling muscle and gleaming chrome in front. Three-tier headlights and crisscrossed grille are indicators of its Cadillac pedigree.

The rear view features slim taillights in smart LED bands, reminiscent of the Cadillac of the '60s and '70s. A horizontal brake light with LED lighting slashes across the top of the rear. The highlight though is the badge that nestles proudly within a slab of chrome trim.

Standard exterior features include a Heavy-Duty Trailer Package, a roof-mounted luggage rack with chrome accents, a power liftgate, a full-size spare tire SBRP265/65R18 AL2 Bridgestone BSW, all-season tires and 18x8 inch alloy wheels, exterior rearview mirrors (dual color-keyed power folding, power adjustable, heated, electrochromic), a heated washer system, a power window lockout, deep tinted glass, a rear intermittent window wiper/washer, a flip-up liftgate window, power windows, a rear window defroster, front dual sunvisors, rain sensing intermittent windshield wipers, front and rear bumpers, black and chrome running boards, and plenty more.

The steering wheel has an information display that channels through the menus by means of the buttons. Soft-touch, supple surfaces on the buttons and knobs on the radio and climate controls add to the aura of sophistication.

The Escalade offers class leading cargo capacity. Seating is comfortable. It can accommodate six to eight occupants. A power fold-and-flip option on the second-row seats improves accessibility to the third-row.

Among a few of its standard interior amenities are an am/fm radio with a Bose 5.1 Studio Surround Speaker System, 6-disc CD changer; MP3/WMA Player and XM(Satellite Radio), a Pre-Programmed Equalizer, a Radio Data System, second row sound controls for the audio, OnStar, Diversity In-Glass radio antenna, a DVD player, rear HVAC ducts, rear seat HVAC controls, a rear HVAC unit, automatic climate control, front/second row carpeted floor mats, power adjustable foot pedals, a color-keyed carpet in the passenger cabin/cargo area, and a wood and leather steering wheel.

The steering is responsive and agile and it handles a tight corner with panache. It cruises like a breeze on the highway and a well tuned suspension soaks up bumps ensuring a suitably smooth ride quality.

The Stabilitrak electronic stability control system further enhances ride quality and provides added insurance. Fuel economy is not all bad considering the vehicle’s size and power. All in all it parries well with others in its segment and manages to hold its own..

Other features include auto-dimming rearview mirrors, daytime running lights, child seat lower anchorage system, an integrated safety belt, rear center lap/shoulder belt, trunk release, auto crash notify, pretensioner, and an energy management feature.