Features of the Cadillac Escalade

There's a lot for drivers to enjoy with the 2010 Cadillac Escalade.suv car cadillac escalade on the road image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com

The 2010 Escalade is a large luxury sport utility vehicle designed by Cadillac. Its competitors include the Toyota Land Cruiser and Lincoln Navigator. The 2010 line came in four models: Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT and Escalade Hybrid. Overall, the car received an 8.8 out of 10 rating from "U.S. News and World Report," which highlighted its stylish interior, strong acceleration and excellent handling as its best features. All trims feature a 6.2 L, V8 engine.

Escalade

GM offers four trim lines on the Escalade that range from base to "platinum." The power train, transmission, braking and overall vehicle dimensions are the same across the lines, and all except the base seat eight passengers and include a power sunroof. The main differences in features between the trims are in a few details: the platinum line offers power retractable running boards, heated and cooled cupholders, LED headlamps, olive and and burled walnut wood trim, a rear-seat entertainment system with two 7-inch diagonal DVD screens integrated into the back of the front seat headrests, and Tehama leather first- and second-row seating surfaces. A new 2010 Escalade ranges in price from $61,420 to $75,795.

Other features such as a heated steering wheel, side blind zone alert, in-dash DVD, and power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seats are standard on all trim lines except the base. All trims offer a 26-gallon tank with13 mpg (city) and 20 mpg (highway) fuel economy ratings. A four-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a five-year, 100,000-mile drive-train limited warranty are included on all trim lines.

THe Escalade EXT is a sport utility truck that competes against other vehicles like the Chevy Avalanche and Honda Ridgeline. It offers a folding midgate that boosts cabin capacity to five while still maintaining an 8-foot cargo bed. An adaptive remote start, Bose audio system, heated seats, navigation system, rear-view backup camera, OnStar, XM satellite radio and electronic stability control are standard on all three of the Escalade EXT trim lines. The average price of a new 2010 Escalade EXT is slightly lower than other Escalade lines, ranging from $59,782 to $67, 079.

Like the Escalade, the Escalade ESV comes in four trim lines and offers many of the same features. The main difference is that the ESV is 22.5 inches longer than the Escalade. It seats only seven passengers as opposed to the Escalade's eight, but it offers 30 more feet of cargo space. A new 2010 Escalade ESV ranges in price from $61,420 to 75,795.

The 2010 Escalade Hybrid may seem like a contradiction in terms, but it is a luxury SUV that also offers fuel economy. While its fuel economy still only makes about 20 mpg (in-town and freeway), the hybrid does feature a third-row seat capable of seating three adults, Bose interior audio sound system and a six-liter V8 engine that boasts 322 horsepower. A new 2010 Escalade Hybrid ranges in price from $71,009 to $85,161.

One unique feature of the Escalade Hybrid is its use of a regenerative braking system to recharge the vehicle's batteries. The feature helps extend battery life but can make braking feel abrupt, even for drivers who aren't prone to sudden stops, as Edmunds pointed out in its website review of the vehicle: "The regenerative braking system, which helps recharge the hybrid system's battery pack, is particularly distracting, as it gives the brake pedal a surging feeling that makes it difficult to come to a smooth stop."