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The redesigned 2002 Cadillac Escalade is an amalgam of in-your-face styling and full-luxury appointments, sort of a four-wheeled Rambo wearing a tuxedo.

The first-generation Escalade was scarcely more than a GMC Denali with a Cadillac badge, but the 2002 gets more distinct styling, although it still shares its body, architecture and power train with the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Denali. The massive upright grille flanked by large vertical headlights is a harbinger of Cadillac stying cues that will show up on future products such as the upcoming Catera replacement and the two-seat sports car derived from the Evoq show car. The angular, squared-off front end differs visually with the rounded main section of the body shell that is shared with its sister trucks, but geometric wheel arches and heavy lower body cladding help carry forward the design theme. The Escalade’s Hummer-esque brashness raises its profile as well as its pecking order in city traffic.

Reinforcing the image of invincibility, particularly in the all-wheel-drive model, is a 345-horsepower, 6.0-liter Vortec V-8 engine that yanks this four-door SUV up to 60 miles per hour like it was a two-seat sports car. The two-wheel-drive version uses a smaller 5.3-liter V-8 with 285 horsepower. Most Escalade buyers will opt for the all-wheel-drive system not only because it provides four-wheel traction in all conditions, but also because it is the only way to get the 345-horsepower engine. The tremendously robust 6.0-liter engine provides startling acceleration considering the vehicle’s curb weight of 5,809 pounds, and constant vigilance is required to keep it under the speed limit. The downside to its size and weight is a substantial thirst: the EPA rating is 12 miles per gallon in the city and 15 on the highway.

Out on the highway, the Escalade rides as softly as the family-room couch, and it rolls as effortlessly as a freight train going downhill. The soft ride comes from the road-sensing suspension whose electronically controlled shock absorbers are controlled by a computer that constantly makes adjustments for driving conditions and load. This system, which reads the road and adjusts the shocks ever 30 milliseconds, is similar to that found on other Cadillacs, but in the Escalade it is tuned to be velvety smooth. In city driving, it was too softly sprung for my taste, but I found it more agreeable on the highway. Seventeen-inch wheels shod with monster tires play a large role in the ride quality.

The Escalade is fitted with Cadillac’s StabiliTrak vehicle stability program, and its ability to to seamlessly keep the vehicle on its desired course by reducing power or applying one or more brakes is very useful. While driving out in the country, I hit a potholed-section of gravel road at a brisk clip, and just as quickly as the truck began to dance slightly sideways it mysteriously straightened out. StabiliTrak also counterracts skids and makes it more stable in emergency evasi ve swerves.

A substantial tweaking of the interior makes the Escalade feel like a Cadillac truck. Seats are wide and covered in very soft leather. Heated seats in the front and second row are standard. The instrument panel is basically the same as a Denali, but the gauges have black faces, silver numerals and silver trim rings. Chrome trims the shift knob. A small analog clock is located in the console by the trip computer, but it was not nearly as handy as having the time readout in the radio, which is standard on the other GM trucks. The wood-and-leather-rimmed steering wheel is very nice to hold, as are the climate control knobs, which are large, soft rubber. Rear heating and cooling is standard.

The folding third seat is handy for kids, but legroom is so skimpy it is not very useful for adults.

While playing around with the trip computer I discovered the vehicle history setting contains a record of how far the vehicle is driven, and what its maximum speed was, e y day for the last 14 days. I’m not sure how practical this is, but it brought back memories of being a teenager and how glad I am that my father didn’t have a device like this on his car.

The power steering was overboosted to the point where the wheel turned too easily and had very little road feel.

The anti-lock, four-wheel disc brakes, the same as the Denali, were strong and powerful.

The second-generation Escalade is not only bolder and more audacious than the first one, but it also works considerably better: more power, bigger brakes and a folding third seat.

Price The base price for our all-wheel-drive model was $49,290. Freight brought the sticker to $49,990.

Warranty Four years or 50,000 miles.

{Point:} The Escalade has scads of power, StabiliTrak and an interior that is as cushy as expensive living-room furniture. {Counterpoint:}For my taste, the ride is too soft and the steering too easy. Third-seat legroom is very snug.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 6.0-liter, 345-hp V-8
Transmission: automatic All-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 116 inches
Curb weight: 5,809 lbs.
Base price: $49,290
As driven: $49,990
Mpg rating: 12 city, 15 hwy.
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