Escalade ESV adds nearly 10 inches of additional legroom for the third row, making it a pleasant place even for six-footers. Also, getting into the third row is easier with ESV, its longer rear door providing a larger opening when the second-row seat is folded. The EXT pickup is only available with a three-across bench seat in the second row.
Though step-in is somewhat high, which is to be expected for a full-size SUV, the driving position is stellar. Escalade's streamlined, low dashboard is much more like a car-like than expected, providing easy access to controls without resorting to an imposing bank of buttons and switches. The result is a feeling of openness, with excellent outward vision to the front and side.
Interior trim is very high in quality. The mix of soft, padded materials, genuine aluminum trim, chrome details and relatively convincing faux wood trim combine with soft leather seats for an ambience on par with other luxury-brand SUVs in this price range. Two color schemes are offered: all black or cocoa-over-cashmere.
The Escalade's white-on-black, backlit gauges are clear and bright, featuring an information display that cycles through several menus via buttons on the steering wheel. The stalk controls for the turn signals and wipers have the supple, expensive feel worthy of the Cadillac name, as do the buttons and knobs on the radio and climate controls.
Escalade comes standard with a 10-speaker (eight-speaker on EXT) stereo that features a six-disc changer that plays both CDs and audio DVDs. Bose designed the speaker system, outfitting the vehicle with 5.1 surround sound, an eight-channel amplifier and a subwoofer. XM radio comes standard.
On vehicles without the navigation system, the head unit presents audio information clearly. On vehicles with the navigation system, which itself is about mid-pack in terms of clarity and simplicity within its competitive set, the radio features are incorporated into the touch screen-based interface. The latter takes a bit of familiarization to operate smoothly, but offers more functionality and fine-tuning capability once you're comfortable with it all. OnStar route guidance is also included, for those times when getting directions from a live person is preferred.
A rear-seat entertainment system is available, utilizing a flip-down 8-inch screen that folds down from overhead. The DVD driver itself is mounted in front, but does not play the movie in the front seats. Rear seat passengers can listen to the audio portion of their DVDs via all 10 speakers in the vehicle, only the rear speakers, or infrared wireless headsets.
The front bucket seats are quite nice: comfortable and supportive with power adjustment in many directions. Narrow-framed drivers may find the seats a touch wide, but all drivers should find plenty of elbow and shoulder room. Leather upholstery is standard on all models, which also covers the four-spoke steering wheel with redundant controls for the audio system and cruise control. The Escalade's huge cabin benefits from triple-zone automatic climate controls: one zone for each front passenger and another tending to the rear-seating area.
In back, full-size adults can enjoy plenty of space in the second-row buckets. We weren't able to test any models with the second-row bench, but have experienced adequate room for three adults in the bench seats on Escalade's sister vehicles, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Escalade and ESV come with standard with heated front and second-row seats while EXT gets heated front seats only.
Interior storage space is abundant. The glove box is large, and the space under the armrest of the multi-level center console is absolutely huge. Additional storage is found in pockets in the doors. The Escalade has four 12-volt power points, including one near the tailgate (EXT gets just three) as well as cupholders galore.
Cargo space behind the 50/50 split third row is on par with other luxury SUVs with three rows of seats; in other words, hauling anything but groceries will likely require at least half of the third-row seat to be folded. And while some competitors have power third-row seats that fold into the floor, the Escalade's seats can be removed altogether, giving it an edge in overall space over any other luxury SUV once they're out. Fortunately, removing the seats is not difficult at all, and carrying them is facilitated by a handle (although they are somewhat bulky and heavy once removed).
Loading cargo into the Escalade isn't as bad as one might expect, thanks to its 32-inch liftover height and wide tailgate with separate opening glass. A power liftgate is standard on Escalade and ESV. Numerous tie-down hooks make securing cargo simple.
