Pros: Bold styling; smooth, absorbent ride—especially in extended-length ESV model; posh, luxurious cabin
Cons: Fuel economy; design is beginning to feel dated; sheer bulk means handling can be cumbersome, especially in close quarters
CG Says: The Escalade only sees one obvious change for 2014: a newly available exterior paint color called Midnight Plum Metallic. Beyond that, the big news is that the EXT pickup and gas-electric Hybrid variants have been discontinued. Though a new Escalade is imminent as a 2015 model, few vehicles on the market today have the street presence or in-your-face style of this big Cadillac SUV. The basic design is getting dated, but it still does a pretty good job of blending luxury and real ability. The related Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon can provide nearly everything this Caddy does for significantly less money, but most Escalade owners probably don’t want to settle.
