Test-Drive Tips for the 2007 Cadillac Escalade

I just finished reviewing the all-new Cadillac Escalade. It was a fine full-size SUV, and if the review makes you want to take a test drive of your own, here are a few helpful tips specific to the model:

• All Escalades feature the same engine and come in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. You should decide beforehand if you’re willing to pay the extra $5,000 for all-wheel drive, and if not don’t bother testing both versions. 
• Park it. Don’t just pull the car up anywhere on the lot and have the salesman move it later. Try to pull it into a regular parking space. Check your parking job afterward and see how well you did. I was surprised at how easy the Escalade was to park.

• Pay attention to how well you can see out the back and how badly the blind spots affect you. Don’t let the salesman rush you; alter your rearview and side mirrors appropriately before leaving the lot.
• Spend time getting comfortable. Your seating position depends not just on the car but also on your body type. The Escalade has adjustable foot pedals, so shorter drivers should adjust them as well as the driver’s seat.
• Get in and out of the SUV a number of times, including the back seats. The Escalade rides high, so this will impact your daily life. Have kids? Remember you have to put in the child seats.
• Experiment with the third-row seats and flip them up from the rear cargo area. The Escalade doesn’t feature a one-button maneuver like some of its competitors, so if this annoys you today it will annoy you down the road, too, especially at the grocery store.

Otherwise, if you’re really interested in buying an Escalade I recommend not only reading my full review but also the seven other reviews Cars.com lists for the new Escalade. You can find them at the bottom of my story. Often one author will mention an attribute the others missed, and we feature the work of some of the best automotive writers in the country. The No. 1 tip is to always do your research.