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2010 Cadillac Escalade

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Cadillac Escalade

Overview

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2010 Cadillac Escalade Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Fast-living rappers and bling-dazzled celebrities swooned over the original Escalade, but, in addition to more power and a greater length, the 2010 Cadillac Escalade stresses finesse over flashiness. Refinements are easily noticeable inside and out, and the newest Escalade behaves more admirably on the road than its predecessor. Marketers claim segment-leading horsepower and torque for the "Gen IV" 6.2-liter V8 and, at 60 mph, the engine cruises along at just 1,500 rpm.

You'll Like This Car If...

If your driving life demands plenty of room for people plus cargo, along with luxury amenities and a brash aura, the Escalade could be your breed of SUV.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Full-size dimensions translate into big dollars at the gas pump. If fuel economy is more important than towing ability, you may want to check out the Escalade Hybrid.

What's New for 2010

For 2010, Cadillac adds Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) to its 6.2-liter V8 engine. Other new features include a console-mounted USB port, a locking steering column and seat-mounted front side thorax airbags.

Driving the Escalade

Driving Impressions The 2010 Cadillac Escalade's performance is energetic, but not exactly dramatic; hitting the gas at lower speeds doesn't always produce vigorous response, while engine noise during acceleration doesn't sound exactly...

Cadillac-like. Automatic-transmission shifts are impressively smooth, though on upgrades it sometimes seems uncertain what to do next. Handling isn't really truck-like but, in curves, it doesn't feel like a sports car, either, although the steering feel is more pleasing and precise than with previous Escalades. Expect a smooth ride on good surfaces, although minor bumps will get through, especially with the larger-diameter tires and wheels.

Favorite Features

Manual-mode Transmission Operation
Placing the + and - (upshift/downshift) buttons on the column gearshift might not seem like a good idea at first, as most vehicles with a manual-shift provision have a floor lever or paddle shifters. Even so, these buttons are easy to find and use, and the transmission responds with satisfying promptness.

Power Fold-and-Tumble Second-row Seating
Third-row access is a serious issue in big SUVs and an easy-folding second-row seat can save a lot of irritation. This feature operates with buttons on the console and door pillar.

2010 Cadillac Escalade Details

Interior

Seating is available for six to eight passengers. No exposed fasteners are visible, close-out panels conceal seat hardware, pillars are fabric-wrapped and the instrument panel's low and forward placement provides more interior room. The seats have sculpted backs to enhance interior space, and both recline and seat-track travel are quite generous. Second-row feature a power assisted fold and tumble feature. Gauges are large enough, but blue pointers impair readability. Sadly, there's no driver's grab handle, and the passenger handle is a long reach.

Exterior

The Escalade's clean, proportional exterior places an emphasis on precision, with glossy paint, tight fitting body panels and real feel of solidity and craftsmanship. The huge chrome grille wears the new face of Cadillac and is flanked by triple-stack headlamps. A unique D-pillar treatment and doors that wrap over the rocker panels complete the look. Ventiports adorn the front fenders and the windshield is steeply raked for both style and aerodynamic efficiency. The wide track is complemented by a coil-over-shock suspension and a boxed frame for greater torsional stiffness. Standard wheels and tires are 18-inch, but hard-to-miss 22-inch versions are available.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A power rear liftgate heads the list of standard features in the amply-equipped 2010 Cadillac Escalade. Compatibility brackets, built into the front frame, are intended to reduce damage to other vehicles in certain collisions. Side-curtain airbags include tethers for enhanced rollover protection, front seatbelt pretensioners activate in rear impacts – said to be an "industry-exclusive" feature – and the StabiliTrak stability control system incorporates rollover mitigation technology. Audiophiles can enjoy Bose 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, while everyone benefits from Cadillac's Auto Ride suspension. Integrated tow hooks are standard. A tap-up/tap-down manual mode for the transmission works easily and promptly, using buttons on the column-mounted gearshift lever. DVD navigation with rear backup camera is also standard equipment.

Optional Equipment

Power fold-and-tumble second-row seats are convenient to operate and cooled seats are offered in all models as part of the Ultra Luxury Collection package, as is Cadillac's InteliBeam automatic high/low beam adjuster. Power-deployable running boards are another appealing option as is the Side Blind Zone Alert warning system. When properly equipped, an all-wheel-drive Escalade can tow up to 7,700 pounds; good news for boaters and RVers.

Under the Hood

Cadillac's 6.2-liter V8 engine now features Active Fuel Management, which deactivates four of the eight cylinders when the engine is not under heavy load. Despite the temporary loss of four-cylinders, the 6.2-liter still generates significant horsepower and torque. With its two overdrive ratios and wide gear-ratio spread, the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission is said to be nearly equivalent to a seven-speed. The manual-shift mode uses column-lever buttons.

6.2-liter V8
403 horsepower at 5700 rpm
417 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/19

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2010 Cadillac Escalade Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.1

Out of 10

Based on 129 Ratings for the 2007 - 2012 Cadillac Escalade models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

8.3/10
Reliability

8.6/10

Performance

8.7/10
Comfort

8.8/10

Styling

9.0/10

Greatest Truck/Pickup Period

By MY 2012 EXT (NY) on Sunday, April 08, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,400

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great ride / comfort / head turner"

Cons: "no rear heat controls / no heated rear seats"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"ive owned the 2002 Avalanche 2007 ext 2009 ext and now a 2012 ext. not a good truck a great truck. my new tuck with the new 4/8 v8 mode gets better mpg than any of the others ive owned. almost 18mpg highway. but when you own a 70k plus truck mpg should not be an issue."

1 person out of 4 found this review helpful

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Best over all luxury SUV - Look and comfort!

By Sparkle_Va (VA) on Monday, April 02, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 101,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "very comfortable drive/ride, w/ good exceleration"

Cons: "some cheep design features (plastic door handles)"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my 3rd Escalade. I love the look and drive... not to mention the compliments that I get. My 1st was a white 2002 lease in 2001 that was a big mistake, ONLY because I ran the miles up and had to pay for them. This started my addiction at! My 2nd, a used black 2002 in 2004 with much lower mileage than my 1st ended with... this car I had to replace the transmission at 80k, but NO other issues. I traded the 2nd in at 120k miles for my 3rd, a taupe 2007 in 2009 w/ 18k miles. Today my 07 has just over 100k and I've had no mechanical issues. I do feel though that the quality of the cosmetics of the truck have declined over the years. Examples of my 2007: The interior door handles are peeling because they have a plastic coating. The dash buttons paints are rubbing off (temperature control, etc..) 1 outside door handle has pulled away from the door on 1 side, but it still works. My mechanic says that this is a commonly replaced part on Escalades. The center hub cap comes offs and/or is too easily removed causing them to be stolen.. but it's because they fall off and need to be replaced often making them a quick resale at $50 plus. - All that said, I've loved my Escalades. I have kids/teens who play travel sports. We load up and travel very comfortably almost every weekend (thus the high mileage) . The ride is very smooth unlike most "trucks".. it trumps the Range Rover, which I owned a 2005 in 2007 for less than 1 yr, because I preferred the luxury driving and get up and go feel of my 2002 Escalade. I driven and ridden as passenger of every "luxury" SUV on the market.. the Escalade rides and handles the BEST for it's size! The first 2 sat 8, but the 3rd is a 7 seater with the walk through. I think that the kids like the walk through better as it doesn't seem like your segregated and the 2nd row has the automatic fold button. - Though gas prices are a deterrent for driving a full size SUV, I don't find the Escalade to be a gas guzzler. If you can afford the truck and the gas, it's a no-brainer. - (30 something, Mom of 2)"

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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