2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV: What's New

Vehicle Overview
As with the previous-generation Escalade sport utility vehicle, Cadillac’s 2007 redesign includes a long-wheelbase version called the Escalade ESV. Its wheelbase is 14 inches longer than the full-size Escalade’s, and total length exceeds the standard model by more than 20 inches. Third-row occupants benefit from increased legroom, and cargo capacity behind them nearly triples.

As with the regular-wheelbase Escalade, the Escalade ESV gets a full complement of luxury equipment, including leather seats for up to eight occupants, plenty of exterior chrome and optional 22-inch wheels. All-wheel drive is standard.

The previous Escalade ESV’s platinum edition and its hefty $11,000 premium added such profligate features as climate-controlled cupholders — to keep the Voss cold, of course — and Cadillac says a similar package might be available down the road.

The Escalade ESV will go on sale in June 2006, roughly three months after the regular-wheelbase Escalade.

Exterior
Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, the Escalade ESV stretches 20.4 inches longer than the regular Escalade. Fourteen of those inches go to extending the wheelbase, which allows for larger rear doors unconstrained by wheel wells. Height increases by 1.2 inches, and width remains about the same. Despite the bigger dimensions, curb weight increases by just 126 pounds.

Exterior details are identical to the regular Escalade’s, with jeweled headlights flanking Cadillac’s now-familiar grille up front, and large, rectangular taillights in back. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard; 22-inch wheels are optional.

Interior
The ESV’s extended dimensions don’t yield significant gains for first- or second-row occupants, but third-row passengers gain nearly 10 inches of legroom. Cargo volume behind the third row increases from 16.9 cubic feet to 45.8 cubic feet. With the third-row seat removed and the second-row seats folded forward, maximum cargo volume is 137.4 cubic feet — about 28 cubic feet more than the standard Escalade offers.

In the Escalade ESV, the optional DVD entertainment system includes a second 8-inch screen for third-row passengers. A leather interior, automatic climate control and power-operated front seats are standard.

Total seating capacity is seven, though an optional second-row bench expands capacity to eight. With a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,400 pounds, the Escalade ESV can accommodate 1,456 pounds of people and cargo — a 174-pound increase over the regular Escalade. But don’t let the extra room convince you to allow too many grown-ups to pile in back, as a full load of eight 180-pound adults and their belongings could exceed the Escalade ESV’s capacity.

Under the Hood
The Escalade ESV uses the same engine as does the regular Escalade: a 6.2-liter V-8 with 403 horsepower and 417 pounds-feet of torque. It works through a six-speed-automatic transmission. Permanent all-wheel drive — optional on the regular Escalade — is standard on the ESV.

Towing capacity increases 200 pounds over the regular Escalade, to a maximum of 7,600 pounds when properly equipped.

Safety
Standard safety items include four-wheel-disc, antilock brakes and a StabiliTrak electronic stability system. The system has rollover mitigation technology that senses imminent rollovers and applies individual brakes in an effort to avert the accident.

Side curtain-type airbags that protect all three rows of seats are standard. Front-seat side-impact airbags are not available.