2012 Cadillac Escalade Miami
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Apart from a revised navigation system and a variety of new anti-theft features, there are no significant changes for 2012. The Cadillac Escalade is big and powerful, capable of towing trailers of up to 8300 pounds. Escalade seats seven in its most popular configuration. It's a stylish truck, with a bold and sculpted look. Escalade comes in three body styles: Escalade, ESV, and EXT. Built on GM's full-size truck platform, the Escalade comes with a 403-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management, which shuts off half theengine's cylinders in certain conditions in order to reduce fuel consumption. All Escalade models make excellent tow vehicles. The Escalade Hybrid features a 6.0-liter V8 that develops 322 horsepower linked to two electric motors that take stored energy from the battery system and use it to power the vehicle in certain conditions.
Powering the '12 Cadillac Escalade
On the road, the nimbleness of the Cadillac Escalade is a pleasant surprise. The steering is light and reasonably precise. The Escalade manages bumps very well, thanks to its three-ton mass and the road-sensing Autoride system. Handling and body control are impressive given the Escalade's bulk. The brakes are powerful and quite responsive, more than up to the task of bringing this big truck to a halt with little drama and surprisingly little dive because of the Autoride damping. The pedal feel is good, if not as pleasingly firm as that of its German competitors. ABS and electronic brake force distribution come standard for stable braking while turning or when the grip is inconsistent. The StabiliTrak electronic stability control system manages wheel slip by applying the brakes at the slipping wheel without interrupting power delivery to the wheels with grip. StabiliTrak also helps maintain stability in corners by providing braking force to individual wheels when the vehicle's path doesn't match the driver's intentions. It works well.
2012 Cadillac Escalade Cabin
The Escalade cabin is roomy and luxurious. Interior fit and finish is very nice. The mix of soft, padded materials, genuine aluminum accents, chrome details and convincing faux wood combines with soft leather seats for an ambience on par with other luxury SUVs. Stepping up to the Platinum upgrades the existing leather and features details such as unique door sills and floor mats. The Escalade comes standard with a 10-speaker (eight-speaker on EXT) stereo that features a six-disc changer that plays CDs and audio DVDs. Bose designed the speaker system, outfitting the vehicle with 5.1 Surround Sound, an eight-channel amplifier and a subwoofer. XM satellite radio comes standard. The front bucket seats are quite nice: Comfortable, supportive, with many power adjustments, heated, and with memory for the driver's side. The Escalade has a very wide cabin. Safety features on all Escalade models include anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with EBD and Brake Assist; and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing. Passive safety features include front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters, dual front airbags, side airbags for outboard front seats, and side-curtain airbags that span all three rows of seats. Tire-pressure monitors and OnStar 9.0 are also standard.
Exterior Features of the '12 Cadillac Escalade
The front end of the Escalade is dominated by a traditional Cadillac egg crate grille draped in chrome. The grille is flanked by three-element, vertical headlamps that tie the vehicle to the rest of Cadillac's lineup; LED headlights on the Platinum are a first in trucks or SUVs. The bumper and front trim are cleanly integrated so the Escalade almost looks more like a massive car than a truck. The liftgate opens and closes by pushbutton as a hatch or glass-only for lighter items, a convenient feature. The Class III tow hitch that comes standard is covered by a removable trim panel, so things look clean and tidy when you're not pulling a trailer.
New Escalade Model Lineup
The 2012 Escalade is available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Standard features include leather upholstery (all three rows); three-zone climate control; DVD navigation with rearview camera; Bose 5.1 Surround Sound, XM radio and NavTraffic; Bluetooth; rear park assist; power liftgate; 14-way power heated front seats; driver memory; adjustable pedals; 50/50-split removable third-row seats; power tilt wood-and-leather-wrapped steering wheel; HID headlamps; heated, power folding mirrors; rain-sensing wipers; roof rack; running boards; and trailer hitch and wiring.
The Escalade ESV 2WD and ESV AWD are equipped the same as the standard Escalade, except the rear entertainment system has two screens mounted from the ceiling.
The Escalade EXT is a pickup truck with a big five-seat cabin using ESV rear side doors. The EXT does not offer bucket rear seats. Otherwise the EXT comes with or offers everything available with the standard Escalade.
Escalade Hybrid 2WD and 4WD are equipped like the standard Escalade with the Luxury Package. The Hybrid comes with a 60/40-split rear bench seat only, to allow for the battery pack underneath it.
Escalade Platinum 2WD and 4WD and an Escalade ESV Platinum 2WD and 4WD include everything in the Luxury Package plus upgraded aniline leather with French seams, color-contrast stitching and the Cadillac logo embroidered in the front seats. Additional leather is used for trim on the dash, center console, and doors, complemented by unique wood and aluminum trim, door sills and floor mats. Platinum models also include LED headlamps, heated and cooled cupholders, and an independent DVD entertainment screen in each front seat headrest in addition to the one overhead.
Conclusions
The Cadillac Escalade offers one of the segment's most powerful engines, which will make it a great vehicle for drivers who tow and like the feeling of strong acceleration when not towing. This SUV should be on your shopping list to check out. Click here to learn more about the 2012 Cadillac Escalade.