2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Vehicle Overview
Cadillac’s Escalade ESV offers more room for those who find the Escalade, a full-size SUV, just a bit too small. Its wheelbase is 14 inches longer than the full-size Escalade, and its 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. The ESV competes with other extended-body luxury SUVs such as the Lincoln Navigator L and Infiniti QX56.

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. It is available in two- and all-wheel drive.

New for 2009
The ESV’s 6.2-liter V-8 gains E85 capability.

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 217 pounds. The wheelbase is 7 inches longer than the QX56’s and 1 inch shorter than the Navigator L’s.

• Jeweled headlights
• Cadillac’s now-familiar grille up front
• Rectangular taillights in back
• 18-inch wheels standard
• 22-inch wheels 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.

• Optional DVD entertainment system includes a second 8-inch screen for third-row passengers
• Standard leather interior, automatic climate control, power-operated front seats
• Standard seating capacity is seven; optional second-row bench expands capacity to eight

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.

• 7,800 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped

Safety
Safety equipment includes:

• Standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
• Standard electronic stability system with rollover mitigation technology
• Standard side curtain airbags in all three rows of seats
• No side-impact airbags