An odd duck on first appearance, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT with its SUV size, 4 doors, Midgate, and pickup bed, turns out to be a practical luxury vehicle for a select group of owners. Put a 403-horsepower engine 6.2-liter V-8 engine in any vehicle and people will naturally be attracted. In the EXT, a standard 6-speed automatic transmission tames the beast. All-wheel drive is de rigueur in this class of vehicle.

Standard instrumentation on the EXT includes a digital clock, tachometer, trip odometer, and tire pressure monitor. The interior is refined and luxurious, with leather seats, wood accents, and chrome highlights. Visibility in the cabin is hampered to the rear by the unusual "C" post configuration. 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT allows the rear window and seats to fold down, providing even more cargo space.

Although the size of the EXT would suggest that it handles like a barge, the opposite is true. Steering is precise but light to the touch, and acceleration is brisk. Suspension damping smoothes out uneven terrain while the 18inch wheels make highway travel an enjoyable experience. Enjoying the benefits of a luxury SUV and the practicality of a crew-cab pickup truck, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT may be the perfect answer for a select group who enjoy wearing two collars, white and blue.

Attesting to its size and safety features, the EXT was favored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a five star rating for frontal, side, and rear collisions. Of concern to few is the fact that gas consumption in the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT is gluttonous.