The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) sold by the General Motors luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division's first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford's 1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas, USA. The name Escalade refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers.

The Escalade was originally based on the GMC Yukon Denali, but was redesigned for the 2002 model year to make its appearance fall more in line with Cadillac's new design theme. Today, the Escalade and Escalade EXT pickup are two of only three Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States. Both the Escalade ESV (Based on the Chevrolet Suburban) and Escalade EXT (based on the Avalanche sport utility truck) were made in Silao, Mexico, before the 2006 redesign; the new Escalade ESV is sourced from Arlington, Texas. The Escalade competes with the Range Rover Sport, Infiniti QX56, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Lexus LX, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover LR3 and Lincoln Navigator.^[1][2]

First generation[link]

GMT 400

Production	1999–2000
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive
Platform	GMT435
Engine	5.7 L Vortec V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	117.5 in (2,985 mm)
Length	201.2 in (5,110 mm)
Width	77.0 in (1,956 mm)
Height	74.3 in (1,887 mm)
Related	Chevrolet Suburban

GMT400 GMC Yukon Denali, showing similarities to the Escalade.

The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator in the 1998 model year necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury-type trucks. This generation was only a five-seat SUV. The first Escalade was a largely unsuccessful endeavor from the start. Fearing the growing hegemony of the Lincoln Navigator, the Escalade was rushed through the design process to reach dealers quickly. Essentially little more than a badge-engineered GMC Yukon Denali, the SUV's aesthetics were similar to the Denali and the final vehicle was smaller than the Navigator. The Escalade's under were borrowed from the Denali line, with the GMC logos on the center caps replaced with Cadillac's crest. The Escalade also used the same 5.7 L Vortec 5700 V8 at 255 hp (190 kW), which was underpowered compared to the Navigator's 300 hp (220 kW) and 365 lb·ft (495 N·m) 5.4 Liter InTech V-8. All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4x4. The interior featured all leather seats with the Escalade logo sprinkled all over the car. It also had a Bose surround system–a first for SUVs. The Escalade also used a slightly different gauge cluster from the standard Tahoes/Yukons. The Escalade gauges featured white needles instead of the standard orange and the speedometer reads to 120 mph.

According to information from the Highway Loss Data Institute, the Cadillac Escalade is the most stolen vehicle in the U.S.^[3]

Second generation[link]

GMT800

Production	2002–2006
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States Silao, Mexico (EXT, ESV) Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia[4]
Body style	5-door SUV 4-door sport utility truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / all wheel drive
Platform	GMT820 GMT830 (Escalade ESV) GMT806 (Escalade EXT)
Engine	5.3 L Vortec V8 6.0 L Vortec HO V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm) 130.0 in (3,302 mm) (ESV/EXT)
Length	198.9 in (5,052 mm) 221.4 in (5,624 mm) (ESV/EXT)
Width	78.9 in (2,004 mm) 79.5 in (2,019 mm) (ESV/EXT)
Height	76.5 in (1,943 mm) 75.7 in (1,923 mm) (ESV/EXT) 75.0 in (1,905 mm) (ESV Platinum)
Curb weight	5,800 lbs (ESV/EXT)
Related	Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban Hummer H2

There was no Escalade sold for the 2001 model year; the lineup went directly from model year 2000 to 2002. This was done by introducing the 2002 model in January 2001 while still selling the present production 2000 model year truck. Rear-wheel drive was standard, as was a 5.3 L V8, with all-wheel drive and the special high-output Vortec 6.0 L V8 engine as options. All models (except for the EXT) began seating 8 people.

The "StabiliTrak" stability control system was upgraded to a four-wheel version for 2003 and power-adjustable pedals were added. For 2004, XM Satellite Radio, second-row bucket seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system were made standard on all Escalades except the EXT. Also in 2004, the Platinum edition was introduced at the price of $71,025; It featured the luxury utility segment's first factory-installed 20-inch chrome wheels, a slightly lowered stance, heated and cooled seats (front and back), heated and cooled cup holders, moon roof, 2nd and 3rd row monitors, a premium interior that included an ebony and shale dashboard, shale leather upholstery and pleated door panel bolsters and a chrome grille. The 5.3 L engine was dropped for 2005 and the OnStar system was upgraded.

Engines[link]

• 2002–2003 5.3L LM7 Vortec V8, 285 horsepower (213 kW)
• 2004–2006 5.3L LM7 Vortec V8, 295 horsepower (220 kW)
• 2002–2006 6.0L LQ9 HO Vortec V8, 345 horsepower (257 kW)

Specification levels[link]

• 2002–2006 Cadillac Escalade
• 2002–2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
• 2003–2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2004–2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum

Third generation[link]

GMT 900

Production	2007–present
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States Silao, Mexico (EXT) Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia[4]/[5]
Body style	5-door SUV 4-door sport utility truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	GMT926 GMT936 (Escalade ESV) GMT946 (Escalade EXT)
Engine	6.2 L Vortec V8
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm) 130.0 in (3,302 mm) (ESV/EXT)
Length	202.5 in (5,144 mm) 222.9 in (5,662 mm) (ESV) 222.0 in (5,639 mm) (EXT)
Width	79.0 in (2,007 mm) 79.1 in (2,009 mm) (EXT only)
Height	74.7 in (1,897 mm) (2007–09 2WD) 74.5 in (1,892 mm) (EXT & 2007–09 ESV) 74.3 in (1,887 mm) (2007–09 4WD) 2010–11 SWB: 75.9 in (1,928 mm) 2010–Present ESV: 73.1 in (1,857 mm) 2012-Present SWB: 75.9 in (1,928 mm) 2012-Present EXT: 74.5 in (1,892 mm)
Related	Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra

W

GMT900 Cadillac Escalade (regular length)

GMT900 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Escalade moved to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade was again joined by a stretched ESV version as well as a new EXT sport utility truck. The 2007 Escalade was the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL, with MVP Hines Ward being awarded one of the first Escalades produced.
Production of the redesigned Escalade began at Arlington Assembly in January 2006. It is priced from US$57,280, though the rear-wheel drive version at this price was not produced until August. The more expensive all-wheel drive version was produced first, followed by the long wheelbase ESV and EXT pickup (the latter sourced from the Silao, Mexico, plant) in June.
The Escalade uses an all-aluminum 6.2 L Vortec V8. This pushrod engine includes variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. The engine produces 403 hp (301 kW) (23 hp more than its sister competitor, the GMC Yukon Denali) and 417 ft·lbf (565 N·m) of torque. A new six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission is used. The new body completes a 0.363 drag coefficient. In 2010, the Cadillac Escalade's base price was $62,500 for a RWD model, and $65,200 for an AWD model. The northeast accounts for 60 percent of Escadale sales.

Engines[link]

• 2007–2013 — 6.2 L Vortec 6200 V8, 403 horsepower (301 kW)

Standard Features[link]

Standard features of the Cadillac Escalade include air conditioning w/tri-zone climate controls, tilt faux wood & real leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and heated 2nd-row seats, 14-way power front seats, memory system, remote engine start, premium sound system, 6-disc CD changer, rear radio controls, compass, power lift-gate, and outside-temperature indicator. The Platinum adds on a DVD entertainment system, navigation system, heated and cooled cupholders, rearview camera, cooled front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and power-retractable running boards.

Updates[link]

MY08

• On the automatic trunk button, the "off" signal was changed from the Number "0" (Zero) to the word "off."
• Escalade badging on the trunk lid was moved from the left side to the right.
• Seating capacity was increased to 8 passengers

MY09

• The gauges were updated
• A newly redesigned remote for keyless entry was introduced to further distinguish it from the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Denali siblings.
• Bluetooth hands-free interface was made standard.
• A power tilt steering wheel was made standard.
• The Satellite Navigation System (optional) now added instant traffic updates and rerouting options.
• Side Zone Blind Spot Alert was made standard.
• GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC, or "MagneRide") was made standard on all models.

MY10

• General Motors badges were dropped on the doors.^[6]

MY12

• GM facelifted the Cadillac Escalade lineup.

Hybrid[link]

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

A Hybrid version of the luxury vehicle debuted at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, and went on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model at a starting price of $74,085^[7] for a two-wheel drive model. In August, 20% of Cadillac Escalade sales were hybrids.

The Escalade Hybrid takes 8.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h).^{[citation needed]} Power is from a 6 liter V8 engine that makes 332 hp (248 kW) at 5,100 rpm and 367 lb·ft (498 N·m) at 4,100 rpm.

Flex-Fuel versions have also joined the lineup.^{[when?][citation needed]}

Eli Manning received an Escalade Hybrid for being the 2007 Superbowl MVP.^{[citation needed]}

Escalade EXT[link]

The Escalade EXT sport utility truck (released alongside its twin, the Chevrolet Avalanche) was introduced in 2002 from the Cadillac division of General Motors. It features a "Convert-a-Cab" composite pickup bed that can be expanded into the truck's cab through a bottom-hinged door. Like the Avalanche, the EXT has four full-size doors and seating for five. The EXT was only offered with the 6.0 L V8 High Output engine. High-intensity discharge headlights were offered for 2003. The Escalade EXT also appears in the movie, The Matrix Reloaded along with the CTS in product placement ads. All Escalade EXTs are built in Mexico.

The Escalade EXT (based on the Cadillac Escalade) was created as a direct competitor to the failed Lincoln Blackwood, a pickup truck based on the Ford F-150. It had competed with the Lincoln Mark LT (now discontinued in the United States and Canada), another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2005. It now competes with the Ford F-150 Platinum, which is still known as the Lincoln Mark LT in Mexico.

• 

  GMT800 Cadillac Escalade EXT (2002–2006)

• 

  2007-09 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Platinum[link]

In 2004, Cadillac released its first version of the Platinum Escalade. It was only available in the ESV model. It had such features as heated and ventilated Seats (front and back), heated and ventilated cup holders, special 20" wheels, special leathers and interior design, extra labeling and HID headlamps.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Cadillac offered the Platinum Edition on its redesigned Escalade and Escalade ESV models. It includes such features as a unique front fascia and grille, heated and cooled cup holders, limited edition 22" wheels, additional chrome pieces and accents, 2 additional DVD monitors- located in the headrests of each front seat, special hand stitched leathers, real aluminum interior accents, Advanced Magnetic Ride Control system, genuine olive ash and burled walnut wood interior trim, and LED headlamps.

For 2009, a hybrid model was added as well.

Future[link]

General Motors has announced it is currently working on its fullsize SUV replacements.^[8] A Lambda based Cadillac will go into production to complement the new Escalade, not replace it.^[9]

On February 13, 2010, according to a report on Autoblog.com, GM has reissued a redesign on the GM fullsize SUV lineup, including the Escalade, for a 2014 release due to increased SUV sales.

U.S. sales[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cadillac Escalade

• Cadillac Escalade website
• Cadillac Escalade ESV website
• Cadillac Escalade EXT website
• Official UK website