2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV comes standard with 18-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, automatic xenon headlamps, power-folding and driver auto-dimming mirrors, rear parking sensors, fog lamps and a power tailgate.



Every Cadillac Escalade ESV is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 generating 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque.



The 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV is the largest model within the Escalade family of luxury SUVs, offering the most space for passengers and cargo. The Escalade ESV is indeed all these things.

Sharing much of its DNA with the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, the Escalade ESV is 21 inches longer than a standard Escalade, seats up to eight and is able to haul up to 137 cubic feet of cargo with the second-row seats folded and the third row removed. Of course, the Cadillac Escalade ESV costs more than its brethren, too.



The 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV is an extended-length full-size SUV offered in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Premium and Platinum Edition.



The base-model ESV comes standard with 18-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, automatic xenon headlamps, power-folding and driver auto-dimming mirrors, rear parking sensors, fog lamps and a power tailgate. Inside, it has leather upholstery, 10-way power front seats with heating, ventilation and driver memory settings, power-adjustable pedals, power tilt-only steering wheel, heated second-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, remote ignition, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system, real-time traffic, On Star, and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with a CD/DVD changer, satellite radio and an iPod/USB audio interface.



The Luxury trim adds 22-inch wheels, the more advanced Magnetic Ride Control suspension (optional on base), automatic high beams, a blind-spot warning system, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel and power second-row seat release. Next up, the Premium trim adds power-retractable assist steps and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with pull-down screens for the second and third rows (optional on Luxury). A second-row 60/40-split bench seat (eight-passenger seating) is available on all models except the Platinum Edition.



Every Cadillac Escalade ESV is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 generating 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. When properly equipped, the ESV can tow 8,000 pounds.

The 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV includes standard antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front side-impact airbags and full-length head curtain side-impact airbags with rollover protection. All Cadillac Escalade ESV trim levels except the base model also feature a blind-spot warning system.



The Cadillac Escalade ESV can accommodate seven or eight occupants, depending on the second-row configuration of either bucket seats or optional bench seating. A power fold-and-flip feature for the second-row seats eases access to the third row. With the rear seat sections folded and removed, the Cadillac Escalade ESV offers a cavernous, class-leading 137 cubic feet of maximum cargo space.



While the Cadillac Escalade is a traditional, body-on-frame truck, it's tough to beat for passenger space. Thanks to such a wide cabin, the Escalade has excellent interior space, with lots of elbow and shoulder room.



The 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV is about 20 inches longer than the standard-length Escalade models, with most of its 14-inch-longer wheelbase going to legroom for the second and third rows, along with slightly easier access to the third row. There's a bit more cargo space behind that third row, too.