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2002 Cadillac Escalade Large Luxury SUV
What's Not To Like?
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PRICE AS TESTED: $51,540
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CONFIGURATION: All Wheel Drive model - Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 engine, 345 hp; Hydra-matic heavy duty electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive; Two Wheel Drive model - Vortec 5300 5.3-liter V8 engine, 285 hp; 4-speed automatic transmission
FUEL ECONOMY: 12 mpg city / 15 mpg highway
SAFETY FEATURES: Airbags, driver, passenger and side, standard; ABS, standard; OnStar onboard
IMPRESSION: There simply are not enough positive words to describe the Escalade.
When I first spied the 2002 Cadillac Escalade at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, I was immediately drawn to it. I was with a colleague and commented, "How can Cadillac improve the Escalade? Isn't it near perfect already?"
My colleague grinned. We hopped inside. We were impressed.
And that's what you will be - impressed - by the many improvements in the 2002 Cadillac Escalade.
I drove the Escalade all week and never found anything to complain about. It performed well, served me well and always did what I asked it to do. Much unlike my kids.
And the best feature? The ultrasonic rear parking assist. That's a sensor in the back bumper that tells you when you're getting close enough to actually hit something you don't see. Invaluable for someone like me. Seems like the kids always park their bikes in back of whatever vehicle I'm in.
I'm a little surprised that they did a remake on the Escalade, considering it was first introduced as a 1999 model in the fall of 1998. It's done what it was supposed to do - infuse a buyer base that's much younger, something that's important for Cadillac's future.
This year, there are three distinct models of the Escalade to choose from: an all-wheel-drive, two-wheel-drive and an export version that's going to the Middle East. This is also the first Escalade to sport the new Cadillac wreath and crest.
Just as an aside - the Middle East version is essentially the same as the Escalade we drive around here with a few exceptions. It doesn't have OnStar, it runs on leaded fuel and has all-wheel drive capability to handle loose sand or gravel.
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