2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid revealed

I like this vehicle. The hybrid makes it more tolerable, unlike the old over engineered S Class Benz. Of course, here comes the bitter intolerant remarks about gansta rappers and basketball players. How ignorant.

"...unlike the old over engineered S Class Benz"
Inspirion7, where did you get that reasoning from?

And is it really "bitter" and "intolerant" to make an observation that many rap artists and professional athletes drive Escalades? They are frequently on display in rap videos and on MTV Cribs. Does every rapper or NBA star drive one? Of course not. But they do seem to be popular choices among those professions.

Personally, I feel the Escalade is quite possibly the most garish and classless vehicles you can buy. That is a universal feeling no matter what profession or ethnicity the Escalade owner is.

That is because it is the most Garish and Classless mass produced vehicle in the world today. People like inspirion7 will never see that. Hell, he would probably prefer the Escalade to a Range Rover or Q7 and tell you they have similar levels of Build Quality or Attention to Detail or for that matter, Class.

I accepted a long time ago that there are at least 6 degrees of separation when it comes to Class and Taste so for every 1 person with Good Taste, there are at least 5 with Bad Taste. Well, their loss i guess.

Well taste is subjective. I like the Q7 a lot by the way. Audi is my favorite brand. The Range Rover plays to the so called class, but quality not withholding is a piece of image, that is all. The Range Rovers I've seen (look at the resale value) don't hold up, and when I would take them in on trade, most would be glad to unload them. Take time to go to a dealership and look at the leather, plastic surfaces and see how they hold up.

The same sport individuals that purchase MB are classless? The same that pumps Prada, Louis Vuttion, etc; are these product lines classless and garish because rappers gravity to the products as well? I live in Southern California and rarely do I see rapper types pushing Escalades. In reality, they are doctors, lawyers and real estate agents. I have no one to answer to and if those I associate with or wish to do so respect my choice it what I pay for, very simple.

In reference to the S class (1998/99) model, the one that for the first time in MB history not even the Europeans wanted that car because it was so over the top in size and consumption. If you look at this models history, ( would recommend you look it up so that I won't be accused of being a hater) it was re- designed quickly because it was such a pig. Just like the previous gen Escalade.

I guess the new money (if they still have any) in SoCal prefers the flashy and garish looks and image of the Escalade. Things are a little bit different and more reserved here in New England inspirion.

I've always liked the Esco, but wished that is wasn't so big. Especially for a luxury vehicle with so many features and amenities, I could never see it as a light or medium duty vehicle. What's the need for such a heavy-duty 4wd system or even a heavy unibody for that matter. Hopefully a Lambda-based full-size Escalade is on the way.

I think Cadillac's Escalade is one version of what "American Luxury" is, big, bold design, shiny bits of chrome all over the place. It certainly looks expensive although the paint quality should be better for a $70 to 80K vehicle.

I believe if the Escalade was smaller, it would attract more buyers. I personally like the Slade, but it is too large for my taste. I like the SRX size SUV, Audi's Q7 is awesome, but again, just as large and pointless to me in size as the Escalade. The Q5 is on point. The interior of the Escalade is so much better than the last gen. Audi take the award when it comes to interiors though.

The Escalade has the Worst Interior of any High-End Suv i have ever sat in,
*The Leather is Cheap and the Seat Designs is Horrible.
*The Dash is Tacky and the Switchgear would feel at home in a Trailblazer.
*The Engine is Good but Suspension and Steering is a Joke, 10 degree turn from dead ahead on the steering wheel results in no change in direction whatsoever from the front wheels

Large Open spaces with Poor Carpeting and Joints exposed, Smell of Cheap Glue...........

I could go on forever

@i95speedingtickets:

Though I could care less about the Esco, I do appreciate the updates GM has made to the interior, especially the center console. You mentioned an interior fit for a Trailblazer; and I would agree for an Escalade made 3-4 years ago. But sitting and riding in the newest iteration was completely enjoyable despite it's mammoth size.

Well i hired an 08 Escalade from Hertz JFK in April of 2008 for 1 week and unless hertz is now renting 2- 3 year old vehicles the Interior of that vehicle was Sub-Par.

You have to understand I come from a country that prefers the Exterior of our Homes & Vehicles be Low Key while all the Luxury and Bells & Whistles are on the inside.

With the Escalade the Reverse is in effect. From the Outside you think OK, then you open the Doors and think WTF ??

My brother and his friends who were visiting had the same sentiments. Suffice it to say i returned it after 1 week and got a Q7. Much Better.

@i95speedingtickets:

That's cool too. Then you mentioned getting a Q7. Of course...no real comparison b/t the 2 luxury SUVs. If I was thinking about getting an Audi, M-B, or Lexus SUV; the big Escalade wouldn't be on that list.

When comparing the large Cadillac with the Q7, the Audi wins the interior design & quality comparo every time.

Me to. I guess if I don't like Rolex, gulf or suck down watercrest sandwiches, travel to Europe (or have come from there) and love everything Euro, I must be ghetto/trailerdung. Damn.

Actually I kind off agree with I95 about his comment on the interior. It is not that much seperated from the Tahoe and you could EASILY tell its just a modified Tahoe. Not bad, but should have been better. Oh and I like the Escalade.

BAHAHAHA, nice comment 1UAW. I love how an union assembely line worker is lecturing on taste. Talk about an oxymoron.

Beautiful car! Besides the lack of off-road capabilities, this vehicle explains every reason why I love SUVs!

How do you spell "dinosaur"? At GM its spelled E-S-C-A-L-A-D-E.

i want one, here in NYC where stars and rappers be, and they dont drive Escalades...FACT

Is it just me, or does it look like they stuck the CTS grille on this one?

Just one more example of why GM is going down the toilet. You would think they would have learned by now, then they produce something like this? Doesn't matter if it's hybrid, it's still one big, ugly, gas guzzler.