Test Drive: 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum

I was excited to learn that I would get a chance to review the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum. I love the current generation Escalade and have often fantasized about owning one.

GM sent me the vehicle while I was in Greensboro, North Carolina teaching at the National Association of Black Journalists Multimedia Short Course held each year at NC A&T State University.

This is a very large truck with lots of luxury and nice little features that add creature comforts. For example, this Escalade ESV Platinum has front cup holders that will keep your warm drinks warm and your cool drinks cool. You will also find a long list of expected features like a navigation system, premium sound system and Bluetooth connectivity for your cell phone.

But this SUV also has Platinum package-exclusive stacked LED headlamps, olive ash and walnut burl wood trim, ultra supple Tehama aniline leather front and second row seats and upgraded Nuance leather third-row seats. But, when it's all said and done, the Escalade ESV Platinum is a very overdressed Chevrolet Suburban LTZ and a moderately overdressed GMC Yukon XL Denali. Dare I say, they are all overpriced, but the Cadillac-- at more than $87,000-- will cost you $21,000 to $27,000 more. For that kind of money, nobody should get in the vehicle and find something to complain about.  However, one of my passengers noted his disappointment about the second-row captain's chair seats that recline but do not adjust forward or backward.

On the plus side-- fuel efficiency is better than you might expect. However, you'll have to calculate the figures on your own.  Similar to the HUMMER H2 I once owned, there are no EPA fuel economy figures listed on the sticker.  The big 6.2L Vortec V-8 truck engine has GM's Active Fuel Management feature which shuts down four cylinders at certain times allowing you to burn less gasoline.  During the highway drive from Greensboro to Columbia, the Escalade ESV Platinum achieved 16.2 miles per gallon.  Normal driving around Columbia resulted in 12.2 MPG.  Both figures were higher, by roughly 2 MPG, than I expected.

Another feature worth noting is one that I found to be almost necessary on a vehicle of this size-- the Side Blind Zone Alert system. It warns you through a visual indicator in the side-view mirrors if a vehicle to your left or right is that area you that you can't physically with your eyes or in the mirrors. The system works well and is available on several GM vehicles.  But, you must train yourself to check for the flashing yellow indicator before changing lanes.  Adding an audio alert would be a good enhancement to this safety feature.

Despite my sticker shock, I enjoyed the Escalade ESV Platinum. But, if I were buying, I would pass on the Platinum package and I would choose the regular Escalade. The ESV is too long and I rarely have the need to transport six passengers. But, that extra length would come in handy on trips to my favorite home improvement or home furnishings stores!