Colonial Cadillac - Vehicle Reviews - Cadillac Auto Vehicle Reviews Information, Colonial Cadillac, Norfolk, Virginia

2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Highlights	Pros	Cons
� 5-year base warranty on the complete car.	� Roadside assistance.	� Scope for fuel efficiency improvement.
� Powerful engine.	� More cargo space.
� Variable valve timing.	� Great suspension.

Overview

Spacious and powerful

The Cadillac Escalade ESV is one of the better SUVs available in the US market. Escalade ESV series is elegant and sturdy. This All Wheel Drive vehicle has an anti-lock braking system in its wheels.

ESV gives an estimated EPA of 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Its fuel tank capacity is 31 gallons. The vehicle can carry a maximum payload of 1,534 lbs.

The ESV comes with a 4-year complete vehicle warranty. The Cadillac brand gives a general warranty of 100,000 miles or five years.

The Escalade ESV competes with the Lexus LX 470 Sport Utility and the Lincoln Navigator 4x2 Luxury models.

Engine and Performance

Simply zooming

Escalade ESV comes with a very powerful Gen IV 6.2L Vortec V8 engine with variable valve timing (VVT) technology, which provides it extra thrust when needed and automatically saves fuel at lower levels of energy requirements. The V8 generates 403 hp @ 5700 rpm and a torque of 417 lb-ft. at 4300 rpm.

The ESV is paired to a Hydra-Matic 6L80 heavy-duty 6-speed automatic transmission with electronically controlled shifts along with Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS), tow/haul mode, and a Driver Shift Control that allows you to switch to manual driving mode.

The towing capacity of the Cadillac Escalade ESV is 7800 lbs.

Walk-around

Elegant and sturdy

The Escalade ESV has the rich look that shows its strength and elegance. Its front fascia is almost identical to the Escalade EXT model. Though the car has fog lamps and high intensity discharge head lamps, it has the option of Intellibeam head lamps as well. The chrome-accent roof rails accentuate its length. On top of the bold front fender flares are rectangular-shaped chrome plated gill-like air vents that add to the overall design.

The vehicle is fitted with power�adjustable and power-foldable heated mirrors, which present a curb-view. These mirrors have integrated turn-lamps and driver-side auto dimming feature. The running boards are chrome-accented and the windshield washer is equipped with pre-heated fluid for de-frosting purposes.

The ESV, similar to the EXT model, runs on 18-inch seven-spoke machined aluminum wheels and Touring Blackwall P265/65R18 tires. The 18-inch and 22-inch, seven-spoke chromed aluminum wheels are available as an option along with R285/45R22 Blackwall high-performance touring.

Comfort, Controls & Convenience

Luxury at command

The ESV interiors are decorated with taste and panache. There are two interior color combinations, which are cashmere with chocolate burl and ebony with ruby burl colors. The interior comes in leather and the front and second-row seats have arm rests for each passenger. The front driver�s seat has a four-way power-adjustable lumbar support. The second-row seats have a 50:50 fold ratio. Power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seats are available as an option. ESV has a seating capacity for 7 with a cargo space of 45 cubic feet, which can be increased if you remove the third-row seats. It can seat 8 if the second-row bucket seats are replaced with the optional second-row bench seats.

The pre-heated steering wheel is accentuated with leather and wood trimmings and the Cadillac badge placed in its center. The driver information center, audio, and cruise controls are mounted on the steering wheel for easy use by the driver. The instrument panel has large displays with white on black markings and glow-in-the-dark blue pointers for easy readability. The overhead console has a reading lamp and a universal remote control.

The ESV comes standard with a tri-zone automatic climate control system and a sunroof with a wind-deflector system for a comfortable ride. Also standard on the ESV is a 5.1 Bose sound system with 10 speakers, an AM/FM stereo, a DVD audio/video with digital signal processing, a Driver Information Center, and an audio Pilot noise compensation technology.

Driving Impressions

Dream drive

Driving a Cadillac is always dream come true. Escalade ESV is no exception. It has the proverbial suspension. The StabiliTrak electronic stability control system keeps the car from skidding or from body roll. The computer-controlled four-channel system minimizes the rollover of the vehicle.

Moreover, the OnStar navigation system is a boon for a driver as it guides them to the right turn at crossroads. Not only this, a customer can get monthly e-mail reports of comprehensive diagnostic checks of their vehicle by using this facility at no extra cost. In case of an emergency, Onstar Emergency Advisor will notify emergency agencies if a customer does not answer to the system. And if a customer has closed the door from outside, it comes to their help by unlocking the door just at a call. The driver can attend to phone calls using a control placed on the overhead console. All these combine to provide you with stress-free driving and complete comfort.

The ESV rides on coil-over-shock front and 5-link rear suspensions with bi-modal mono-tube shocks and computer-controlled real-time damping. This modern suspension has electronically-controlled shock absorbers and an automatic control level.

Safety

Safety and security

The Escalade ESV comes with various standard safety features. It has front driver and passenger airbags, rear passenger airbags, and side-curtain airbags.

The ABS and StabiliTrak (stability system) are standard for precautionary braking, skidding, or body roll. Safety provisions like seat belts, Pass-Key III theft deterrent system, tire-pressure monitoring system, and LATCH are standard.

Another important safety feature is a traction control system, which helps you control the car at all speeds. Four-wheel disc brakes with twin-piston front calipers help to provide powerful stopping at small distances.