Cadillac Escalade 2011

Overview

The 2011 Cadillac Escalade continues its reign as the largest and most ostentatious luxury SUV on the market. Four years off its most recent redesign, the Escalade remains the de facto status symbol of the financially well-endowed.Entering 2010, the Escalade improved its fuel economy with GM's Active Fuel Management technology, which shuts down half of the V-8 engine's cylinders when they're not needed. The Escalade Hybrid remains the only hybrid full-size luxury SUV on the market and offers significantly better fuel economy than non-hybrid models, but at a $10,000 premium that will take an estimated 12 years of fuel savings to pay off based on EPA fuel economy and cost data.The Escalade also offers seating for up to eight people in three rows and multiple body styles including an extended wheelbase SUV and a short-bed truck. All models are well-equipped with luxury features and technology, though the vehicle lacks some significant features for its class, such as side curtain airbags and adaptive cruise control.... Expand full summary

The Range

Bodystyles: SUV, Truck
Engines: 6.2L V-8, 6.0L V-8 with two electric motors
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic, 4-speed automatic,
Models: Base, Luxury, Premium, Platinum, ESV, EXT

What's New

Changes for 2011 are mostly minor, with some of the largest updates coming to the navigation and entertainment system, which now offers USB, Compact Flash and Auxiliary Input jacks. Two new paint colors are also offered, along with some minor updates to the OnStar hardware.

Exterior

The 2011 Cadillac Escalade remains visually unchanged from its 2007 redesign. Heavy use of chrome brightwork is attention grabbing and assures that the Escalade stands out in a crowd.

Interior

The Escalade carries a laundry list of standard luxury features including automatic climate control, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth and heated leather seats. Options include an electronically variable suspension and rear-seat entertainment system.

Performance & Handling

Performance can be hard to come by in a vehicle weighing in the neighborhood of 6000 pounds, but the Cadillac Escalade's 403 horsepower V-8 handles the weight well with 417 pound-feet of torque on tap. So too does the Hybrid's 2 Mode system, which combines a 332-horsepower V-8 with two electric motors for 379 total horsepower. The Hybrid setup significantly improves the Escalade's city fuel economy. Optional all-wheel drive improves grip in inclement weather.

Safety

Driver and passenger front airbags are standard, along with side impact thorax bags front and rear for 2010. OnStar Automatic Crash Response is also standard, along with electronic safety devices including traction control and stability control.

EPA Fuel Economy

2WD: 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway
AWD: 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway
Hybrid: 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway

You'll Like

• Status symbol
• Tons of space
• Hybrid model
• V-8 power

You Won't Like

• V-8 fuel economy
• Steep price
• Expensive Hybrid model
• Jumbo size