How could Cadillac have won our award for the 2007 Luxury SUV of the year award?

Why did the Escalade win over such great competition?

Our award for the 2007 Luxury SUV of the year is sure drumming up some controversy on our site from the import lemmings and badge ho’s.

And we can understand why.

Let’s face it, GM has done everything under the sun to screw up the company for the last thirty years so you just can’t erase the past in one fell swoop.

That is why at AutoSpies.com, even though we have a reputation for liking imports, the real truth is we like great vehicles.

We don’t care whose name is on it if it’s a great car or truck.

It’s all about the product to us.

And it’s not just one dimensional…a product has to be right across the board for us.

The design, performance, utility and quality ALL have to be right.

And when it comes to full size luxury SUV’s, that why the Escalade is the new champion.

It works for us on so many levels.

1. What a face! It’s the best looking SUV and has the most youthful image by a healthy margin. Just drive up in one at the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton or W Hotel and you’ll see what we mean. The new Escalade draws almost as much attention as a Phantom or a Conti GT. And it’s the first Cadillac in years that has the mystique of all the old Caddies we knew and loved from the 50’s and 60’s.

2. It has the most room and is the most comfortable with 4 or more people cruising around town or on a road trip. It swallows your passengers and your cargo better than anything else out there.

3. The gas mileage is better than on the much smaller Range Rover. On my tester I’m getting 14.9MPG around town and on the Rover, I was only doing 12.5MPG in town.

4. It has the most power and is the best vehicle if you need to tow. I don’t but it’s nice to know I can if I wanted to.

5. The navigation system and electronics (power memory seats, back up camera, power tailgate, etc.) are the best in class, on par with Lexus.

6. It’s unbreakable. You never worry about having to baby it or have that apprehension of giving it to a significant other and having it come back in one piece(Man, did I dance around that line and end up smelling like a rose). You can’t feel that confident with the imports…just hit a curb hard with anything else and watch your eyes pop out when you get the bill to fix it.

7. It’s the most reliable-It’s so simple, nothing ever goes wrong with them. If you asked me to pick one long term do it all vehicle that you intended to put 250k trouble-free miles on, this would be the one I would recommend.

8. I can put regular gas in it! Why the *%^# does a stupid MDX, Q7, X5, etc. need premium fuel?

9. If you are a good negotiator or you’ve purchased the AutoSpies.com buying service, the Escalade ESV is AT LEAST 10G’s cheaper than the Range Rover HSE and $30G’s cheaper than the SuperCharged Range Rover!

10. The Cadillac dealer will give you much better treatment because they are DESPERATE for your business.

So there you have it…Some pretty compelling reasons why the 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV won our competition.

No excuses, just the best vehicle overall…plain and simple.

Congratulations Cadillac!!!!

Now, go make everything in your product line this beautiful and compelling!

Rupert - 12/11/2006 4:29:32 PM

+1 Boost

oh wow, 14 mpg round town...amazing.



not
the escalade attracts attention because everyone's looking for the criminal inside it!
regular gas? i don't get that in europe, only premium (95 octane+) so that doesn't affect me at all.
this is an outdated behomoth. it offers nothing over its competitors except for a gangsta image and a big chrome grill. and for me, the cadillac badge has as much kudos as saab. they're not prestigious at all in europe, and the escalade is only bought by people who wish to improve the size of a certain organ! its a desperate attempt to be young and hip and perhaps cool.
the audi Q7 tdi however...much better. looks better drives better, handles better, way better mpg (23 US mpg average on europe test), better interior, for me a way better image, and isn't a piece of GM garbage!

Agent001 - 12/11/2006 4:34:09 PM

+2 Boost

23mpg on a diesel you mean

Agent001 - 12/11/2006 4:39:49 PM

+2 Boost

The 4.2 in the USA only got 14MPG in our tests around town.

001

thrillkilljizmface44 - 12/11/2006 4:45:51 PM

0 Boost

yea but rupert you must admit, the cadillac dealership gives free chili dogs and balloon animals for the kids. I don't see Audi resorting to such lunacy for your business. I don't know about you guys but much like autospies.com, I too value salespeople sweating desperation all over my new chucks rather than things like fit and finish, driveability, and initial build quality. The Caddy is the obvious choice.

answer - 12/11/2006 4:37:19 PM

+3 Boost

The ESV is very nice. The interior is great. But the thing is just a decade too late from being relevant.

It does blow away the new Navigator, though that is not too hard to do.

1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 4:54:29 PM

+3 Boost

Everything blows away the new Navigator. GM puts a pretty dress on a pig and parades it around like its the best SUV that has ever come out of America. It does nothing but embarass the general American population. GM needs to build a quality innovative SUV for the Americans or lock its doors.

thrillkilljizmface44 - 12/11/2006 4:52:13 PM

-3 Boost

Did lincoln actually pay George Lucas for the THX Stereo in the New Navigator or was it the other way around?

StepYaGameUp - 12/11/2006 5:01:39 PM

+1 Boost

I am with this choice 100 percent.
remember what the REAL point of an SUV is.
its purpose is not fast 0 - 60's, - not to have exceptional handling, etc.
Its supposed ot be big and roomy, so traveling with 6+ people is comfortable, its supposed to offroad, and supposed to tow. My father has owned a 1998 Chevy suburban(gm)for a long time now. Take out the third row, and you got A LOT of cargo room, leave it in, and my family(4 kids, MOM, DAD, and 2 grandparents) can all fit fairly comfortable. We own a summe rhouse near teh ocean, an dit perfect for riding on teh beach, as well as towing our large boat.

Im sure the escalade does all this just as well or better.

GM is best for SUVs in my opinion.

99gs400 - 12/11/2006 5:12:12 PM

-2 Boost

Buy a 07 Tahoe change the badge and grill, add a wood steering wheel thats ya american junk escalade !!!

Jay7 - 12/11/2006 6:44:50 PM

+2 Boost

You can change the grille and the wood, but you still won't have the Cadillac power (403hp)...the Tahoe only has about 325hp.

M53R - 12/12/2006 8:02:56 AM

+2 Boost

Jay5

the tahoe gets 355hp

1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 5:12:55 PM

0 Boost

If you are talking about UV's (Utility Vehicles), trucks with welded on camper shells, then yes you are right on the money. But, where not. We are talking about SUV's (**SPORT** UTILITY VEHILES). The real point of the SUV is to haul around 6+ people with a sporting ride. Sporting rides have execeptional handling, and ride. Speed and performance is also a quality it should have. Going off road and towing should be add-ons, not mandates. So technically, you are right, the 'Slade should not be SUV of any year.

Rupert - 12/11/2006 5:40:49 PM

+1 Boost

sorry, but the term SUV refers to the sport they are used for, ie the orignal range rover - hunting. a proper SUV should place no emphasis on handling, only off-road and ride comfort and towing.
the Q7 and GL aren't really SUVs, but the term is still used to describe them and many other vehicles. BMW's SAV acronym better describes that genre. doesn't stop the escalade being garbage though.

XYZZ - 12/13/2006 7:59:47 AM

+1 Boost

rupe's sorta right.

SPORT utility vehicle is a big MISnomer. doesn't even connect with "sport" of hunting either.

should be JUST "utility" vehicle. no sport in these things. just marketing hype.

Bill - 12/11/2006 5:15:11 PM

-2 Boost

How?

I'll tell you: BIAS!!!

lexusis350 - 12/11/2006 6:01:09 PM

-1 Boost

Man, you are obsessed with saying biased. In the last two articles, you've said it about three dozen times. Why don't you leave AutoSpies if it's so biased? That would relieve you and all of us.

Bill - 12/11/2006 6:53:20 PM

0 Boost

^^^Look who's talking.^^^

answer - 12/11/2006 5:21:16 PM

0 Boost

Bill
Is
Acting
Stupid

Bill - 12/11/2006 7:09:34 PM

-2 Boost

We're going to take this to a personal level now?

Because of a "Autospies SUV of the year" thread?

Immature little brats like you need a good spanking. That's all I am going to say. Good day!

answer - 12/11/2006 9:10:35 PM

0 Boost

Just joking bill!!!

I figured your posting "bias" everywhere today was a joke too.

blueice4589 - 12/11/2006 5:29:10 PM

-3 Boost

LOL cadillac dealers do NOT give u better treatment, dont flatter them

AUDBMLEXMRC - 12/11/2006 5:37:51 PM

+1 Boost

Bravo CADILLAC!

EL34 - 12/11/2006 5:38:44 PM

+2 Boost

The Cadillac Escalade ESV is the perfect way when driving to get from Orange County to Las Vegas, but I've seen Ferrari's making the 270 mile journey.

webguy - 12/11/2006 5:59:20 PM

+5 Boost

I don’t totally disagree with the decision; but…

I’ve taken both the new Tahoe and the new Escalade for a drive at GM’s appropriately named "The Drive" here in town. They setup small obstacles for their SUVs and a track for the cars.

To say I’m not a GM fan is an almost facetiously tactful way to describe my views of their products over the past decade. I too follow the product more than the badge or country though; and I have to admit, they’re starting to "get it," albeit at snails pace. Evidence of this can be seen in their new Tahoe. It’s hard to believe this was conceived and manufactured by the same company as the last generation. Very solid, well built and at a reasonable price… even quite probably the best in the market. Yes, I did just say that about a GM product.

With that though, for the money, I actually like the Tahoe better. The Tahoe felt reasonably nimble for such a large vehicle, while the Escalade felt heavy. Granted, this may have changed on the freeway where Cadillac’s signature freeway serenity comes into play.

On the outside; despite the "gangsta" appeal of this car, the exterior does indeed have a decidedly executive, even royal look to it that rivals the likes of Bentley. While I can’t say the same for any of Cadillac’s cars, the Escalade "presence" easily upstages both German and Japanese competitors, especially in solid white or black. You can laugh at me for that if you want; but if you remove your preconceived associations, I bet you’d feel the same.

The inside though, is where I have problems. The Tahoe, although lower scale, feels cohesive. The Escalade has better materials and feels solid, but looks "Frankenstein-ish," particularly with its large flat, one piece center-stack. It looks as though the accountants and designers clashed, and the accountants won. It ended up being haphazardly slapped in with the wood panels acting as a last-ditch effort to distract you from the eye-sore planted by penny-pinchers. It didn’t work.

All things considered though (such as the ten points above), not a bad choice. Don’t stop here though, I’d like to see a "10 Best" or similar from Autopsies. :)

mstangpny07 - 12/11/2006 6:06:10 PM

+4 Boost

The only thing I really like about this car is the grille. Nice job on it. But everything else seems outdated. The interior is now on a ton of GM trucks, even a Silverado! No fold flat third row? What is this, 1997?

Agent001 - 12/11/2006 6:21:45 PM

+2 Boost

On the ESV there is so much room for cargo behind the third row, you'll never need to put it down.

Next argument...

001

mstangpny07 - 12/11/2006 7:34:07 PM

+2 Boost

What about the standard-length Escalade?

Agent001 - 12/11/2006 10:41:33 PM

-1 Boost

There is such a minimal price difference between the two.

If you're going to go big, go big!

001

SilverAero - 12/11/2006 6:13:40 PM

+5 Boost

Come on you guys if the escalade perfomed and looked like a Q7 X5 Range rover or whatever then you would still be attacking it for being a cheaper copycat. Quit being so butt hurt about it. You had it out for the car no matter what it brought to the table. You can have your dime a dozen sport suv's but let the cadillac have an identity.

blueice4589 - 12/11/2006 6:41:26 PM

-1 Boost

I'm sorry but this cannot compare to a vehicle like the Mercedes-Benz GL450! First of all this Cadillac doesn't even have a TELESCOPING WHEEL!!! I can get that in a toyota or honda!

MercBasher - 12/11/2006 8:28:46 PM

+2 Boost

I'd rather have good power seats, a decent navigation system and a reversing camera than an adjustable steering wheel.

My vote is for Escalade.

EL34 - 12/11/2006 6:42:06 PM

+2 Boost

I like this Caddy because it has a lotta bling.

blueice4589 - 12/11/2006 6:44:26 PM

+1 Boost

Oh, that's probably why you want an S-CLASS over and LS460 cuz ur ignorant and you need to scream "LOOK AT ME!"

EL34 - 12/11/2006 6:52:32 PM

+1 Boost

No doubt, the S-Class has a lotta bling-bling.

kart1 - 12/11/2006 7:06:00 PM

+1 Boost

Remember the VW Passat commercials:

I am covering my shortcomings. ;) jk.

Jay7 - 12/11/2006 6:49:30 PM

+1 Boost

I've been saying that the Escalade is the "hands down" best luxury SUV since the '07 model first debuted. Finally, others are backing me up.

1uberaudi - 12/11/2006 7:07:21 PM

+2 Boost

The 'Slade is the best for what it is, an over-priced Suburban. You don't need a telescoping wheel when you have a two way power adjustable seat.

SilverAero - 12/11/2006 7:45:42 PM

0 Boost

Or adjustable pedals...

blueice4589 - 12/11/2006 9:02:59 PM

0 Boost

adjustable pedals has nuthing to do with a telescoping wheel, nor the seat, ALL SEATS move back and forward---telescoping wheels should be standard on luxury cars. period. HOLLER!

Sauceboy01 - 12/11/2006 9:14:51 PM

+2 Boost

I will have to support Agent001 on this decision.

I actually saw this tester car in person and quite honestly it is VERY surprising. Sure it looks pretty on the outside but what about the inside?

One of the biggest woes i've ever had with an American made car is that the interiors are absolutely SUB-PAR to whatever else the competition is offering.

With the new Escalade it honestly looks very pretty, practical and on par to newer model Mercedes-Benz Automobiles. Everything from the roof liner to the wooden dashboard que's this Automobile truely shines.

Like most of you I also disliked this car. But give it a good shot and you'll quite honestly be surprised!

blueice4589 - 12/11/2006 9:20:44 PM

0 Boost

Yes I was quite surprise that they were able to pass this off as luxury, when it should be classified as near-luxury. HOLLER!

S4cabriofoxone - 12/11/2006 11:02:15 PM

+2 Boost

"With the new Escalade it honestly looks very pretty, practical and on par to newer model Mercedes-Benz Automobiles."

Looks can be decieving. I love the Escalade's look on the outside and its tremendous power, but the interior isn't even close (in terms of execution and materials) to the cheaper Q7, GL, new X5, GX470, or (more expensive) LX470 or Range Rover.

paul3230 - 12/11/2006 9:58:20 PM

+5 Boost

And it's "holla" not "holler"

Loki123 - 12/11/2006 10:32:10 PM

+2 Boost

Europeans can't stand that this car is American as apple pie.

I agree with the author -- product over badge.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/11/2006 11:03:39 PM

+2 Boost

001 wrote the article.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/12/2006 4:17:37 PM

+2 Boost

Dont be silly

Europeans Like Apple Pies, They Dislike Overweight Ineficient Behemoths with Body on Ladder Frame (Basically a Truck Setup) sold as Luxury Passenger Vehicles.

XYZZ - 12/14/2006 5:09:31 AM

+1 Boost

the original Hummer impressed just on the basis of sheer SIZE too.

it was still totally CRAPPY as a REAL automobile.

i 'spose the 'Sclade is gm's way of making up.

delan - 12/11/2006 10:39:08 PM

+1 Boost

LOL, if you are going to be pretentious and use the urban speak, atleast get it right. I think The Esky is a pretty fine vehicle myself. Which large SUV can do naught to 60 less than 7 seconds? Plus it looks so poised sitting on 22's. I'd say this, the STS and the Saturn Aura are the best things that GM has produced in a while.

blueice4589 - 12/11/2006 10:52:34 PM

-2 Boost

Excuse me HOLLER! is the way I say it, it sounds funnier, and don't use big words you dont know like pretentious

SilverAero - 12/12/2006 3:02:25 AM

-1 Boost

So you were trying to be funny? Ok.... so by the way if you think about it adjustable pedals has the same affect as a telescoping wheel. They both change the distance between the pedals and the steering wheel, think about it.

delan - 12/11/2006 11:35:57 PM

+2 Boost

Oh dear..

mobiustech - 12/12/2006 2:52:01 AM

+2 Boost

Everyone has a right to their opinion and dispite acting like grade school juvies, autospies went with their own mind. I think GM has taken great strides to make the SUV that started the luxury even more over the top. If the segment wasn't important, then why did Lexus make the slow selling LX 470? Mercedes the GL series and the Range Rover even more opulent? No one wants to admit it, but will sideline these other vehicles and talk about how civilized they are. And another thing, it's very ignorant to state that only criminals purchase this type of vehicle. A number of CEO's have been criminals long before ganster rap (and called it being fiscal savvy) but no one complained about that kind of thief...

M53R - 12/12/2006 8:11:32 AM

+2 Boost

Actually i was soo close to buying 1 untill the salesman told me that a version with navigation and touch screen will come in march or april. (we didnt get these options in the M.E till now). I love the great looks and the comfort. Anyway, i still dont think it deserves to b the best 2007 SUV. I prefer the X5, but still , the escalade is a great SUV.

Mark - 12/12/2006 8:53:51 AM

+4 Boost

"The Cadillac dealer will give you much better treatment because they are DESPERATE for your business."

And this is why GM is in the hole and still a horrible company.

paul3230 - 12/12/2006 2:54:25 PM

+1 Boost

Wrong. It means that's why Cadillac and Buick are consistantly rated at the top with Lexus when it comes to dealer satisfaction

rocker - 12/12/2006 9:57:43 AM

+1 Boost

Excellent choice. Power, size, good looks and tough as nails. If you have a need for a larger SUV, this is the way to go.

dusty - 12/12/2006 10:04:16 PM

+1 Boost

I've seen some pretty dim-bulb comments on this site, but Mark's has to be in the top ten. Congratulations on your dubious achievement!

alamarina - 12/14/2006 4:48:35 PM

+1 Boost

I know liking a Caddy is not PC but I have to tell you all that for the last 20 yrs I have not owned an American car. My last 2 were E500s. I've have Lexus SUVx, BMWs, and Acuras as well.

After the not so great performance of my last '03 E500 I was ready for a change and I'm not sorry I chose the Escalade. It's a beautiful fun car to drive and I do get lots of attention from the ladies.

I actually just stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown and have to agree that all eyes were on the Escalade. The valets asked me a dozen questions about it, not an experience I had with the Benz.

Is it a criminal's car? Maybe. But at least they don't drive the on The Wire anymore.

Like the man said: I only care about the car, not the company and though not perfect, this Escalade has been a winner in my book.