2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT-A three-ton, $54,000 mullet.
10-31-06, 07:21 AM
#1
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2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT-A three-ton, $54,000 mullet.
A three-ton, $54,000 mullet.
BY DAVE VANDERWERP, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY G. RUSSELL
November 2006
Who would have predicted that this gratuitous union of a Chevy Avalanche with a Cadillac Escalade would have survived long enough to see a redesign?
Certainly not us. When we first drove Cadillac’s pickup truck, we thought it made about as much sense as “an office desk that converts into a Hovercraft” or “mint-flavored Drano.”
That was no skin off Cadillac’s nose, which found more than 40,000 takers from 2002 through 2005, apparently a sufficient number to justify a makeover similar to that of the Escalade SUV for 2007. This includes the 6.2-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic, flashier sheetmetal, an all-new interior, and a stiffer structure.
When we look at the EXT, we think “Cadillac’s mullet.” Why? Well, the common description of the short-on-top, long-everywhere-else hairstyle is “business in front, party in back.” That fits the EXT perfectly, only in reverse. This truck’s party of chrome is up front, and the cargo-hauling pickup bed, the business end, is out back.
Of course, if you are seriously looking for utility, check out a $33,180 Chevy Avalanche that can outtow the EXT by 400 pounds. But Cadillac buyers probably aren’t, since these behemoth EXTs are usually seen in metropolitan areas hogging valuable parking spaces.
The new $54,430 EXT has 403 horsepower (58 more), *accelerates quicker (0-to-60 mph in 7.1 seconds versus 7.9), feels much more composed over the road, and has far superior brake and steering feel. Fact is, it’s better in almost every way. But compared with the already-hard-to-justify Escalade SUV, the EXT provides less passenger space, worse maneuverability, and a heftier curb weight (so heavy, in fact, that it is no longer required to bear EPA fuel-economy ratings). So, despite the improved dynamics, we think it remains one of the most ridiculous vehicles on the market.
Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door pickup
Price as tested: $61,740 (base price: $54,430)
Engine type: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162cc
Power (SAE net): 403 bhp @ 5700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 417 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm
0611_caddy_esc_rear.jpgTransmission: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 130.0 in
Length/width/height: 222.0/79.1/74.5 in
Curb weight: 6013 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 7.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 19.7 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 7.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.6 sec @ 91 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 107 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 204 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.73 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving (C/D est): 13 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 12 mpg
BY DAVE VANDERWERP, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY G. RUSSELL
November 2006
Who would have predicted that this gratuitous union of a Chevy Avalanche with a Cadillac Escalade would have survived long enough to see a redesign?
Certainly not us. When we first drove Cadillac’s pickup truck, we thought it made about as much sense as “an office desk that converts into a Hovercraft” or “mint-flavored Drano.”
That was no skin off Cadillac’s nose, which found more than 40,000 takers from 2002 through 2005, apparently a sufficient number to justify a makeover similar to that of the Escalade SUV for 2007. This includes the 6.2-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic, flashier sheetmetal, an all-new interior, and a stiffer structure.
When we look at the EXT, we think “Cadillac’s mullet.” Why? Well, the common description of the short-on-top, long-everywhere-else hairstyle is “business in front, party in back.” That fits the EXT perfectly, only in reverse. This truck’s party of chrome is up front, and the cargo-hauling pickup bed, the business end, is out back.
Of course, if you are seriously looking for utility, check out a $33,180 Chevy Avalanche that can outtow the EXT by 400 pounds. But Cadillac buyers probably aren’t, since these behemoth EXTs are usually seen in metropolitan areas hogging valuable parking spaces.
The new $54,430 EXT has 403 horsepower (58 more), *accelerates quicker (0-to-60 mph in 7.1 seconds versus 7.9), feels much more composed over the road, and has far superior brake and steering feel. Fact is, it’s better in almost every way. But compared with the already-hard-to-justify Escalade SUV, the EXT provides less passenger space, worse maneuverability, and a heftier curb weight (so heavy, in fact, that it is no longer required to bear EPA fuel-economy ratings). So, despite the improved dynamics, we think it remains one of the most ridiculous vehicles on the market.
Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door pickup
Price as tested: $61,740 (base price: $54,430)
Engine type: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162cc
Power (SAE net): 403 bhp @ 5700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 417 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm
0611_caddy_esc_rear.jpgTransmission: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 130.0 in
Length/width/height: 222.0/79.1/74.5 in
Curb weight: 6013 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 7.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 19.7 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 7.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.6 sec @ 91 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 107 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 204 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.73 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving (C/D est): 13 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 12 mpg
10-31-06, 01:36 PM
#6
Lexus Champion
I think the writer of that article had his mind made up before he even tried the vehicle out.
I've seen far better and more profesional reviews of the new Escalade and other GMT-900 SUVs and trucks and overall I'm pretty impressed. I haven't driven the new Escalade but did get a chance to check out my dad in law's new 07 Tahoe w/ every option except nav... HUGE improvement over the original and hands-down nicer in almost every way than their 06 Sequoia Limited - granted the Sequoia is about to be redesigned from the ground up as well, but still. For now it's leap-frogged, no question.
Nah they both start at 54-55k with most options except the nav, climate seats, and a couple other things. And being GM you can pretty much walk in there and mutter the words "I want invoice price" and they won't try to argue. Plus plenty of other ways to get discounts. I'd honestly say the base 2WD Escalade or Escalade EXT I could get either one for just under 50k plus tax, new.
I've seen far better and more profesional reviews of the new Escalade and other GMT-900 SUVs and trucks and overall I'm pretty impressed. I haven't driven the new Escalade but did get a chance to check out my dad in law's new 07 Tahoe w/ every option except nav... HUGE improvement over the original and hands-down nicer in almost every way than their 06 Sequoia Limited - granted the Sequoia is about to be redesigned from the ground up as well, but still. For now it's leap-frogged, no question.
Nah they both start at 54-55k with most options except the nav, climate seats, and a couple other things. And being GM you can pretty much walk in there and mutter the words "I want invoice price" and they won't try to argue. Plus plenty of other ways to get discounts. I'd honestly say the base 2WD Escalade or Escalade EXT I could get either one for just under 50k plus tax, new.
10-31-06, 02:00 PM
#7
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Equiped the same way, an EXT should be cheaper than a regular Escalade. I was at the chevy dealer a few weeks ago, and an Avalanch and a Tahoe loaded the same way had the Avalanch cheaper.
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10-31-06, 02:09 PM
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11-01-06, 07:25 AM
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