There’s no escaping the reality of it. The 2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV is a luxurious, comfortable and highly accommodating ride that is sure to impress other drivers on the road. The models are relatively affordable too, going between $65,770 and $85,375 in price. This year’s ESV comes in 8 sharp and stunning colors and has exterior chrome accents, which add to the overall flash and flare of this large-sized SUV.
On the road, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV is more than capable in terms of power, while it’s somewhat lacking in the fuel economy department. The 6.2-liter, V8 engine unleashes up to 403 horsepower and 417 lbs./ft. of torque. A heavy-duty 6-speed automatic transmission allows for a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds. The electronic rear-level control, helps keep the ESV perfectly balanced from front to back, when towing heavy loads or trailers. A Road Sensing Suspension system with bi-modal monotube shocks, make for one of the smoothest rides on the road today. As with many new models, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV comes with Electronic Stability Control from StabiliTrak, which automatically adjusts power in the event of a skid. As should be expected of an SUV of this size, the test drivers seemed to agree that maneuvering the Cadillac Escalade ESV in parking lots or tight spaces is easier said than done. Well, that and the fuel economy, which gets an EPA-estimated 18 MPG on the highway, while obtaining a disappointing 14 MPG in city limits.
The interior of the vehicle is fit for a king – or queen. The ultra-high-quality genuine leather seats are so richly constructed that you may be hesitant to sit on them, for fear of dirtying them. The cabin can comfortably fit 7 adults, including the driver, although one of the main complaints from test drivers was the inability for the third-row seating to fold down to allow for more cargo space. Both the first and second-row seats are heated as well as cooled and two 7” flat screen TVs will keep your backseat passengers occupied on long rides. It seems Cadillac has literally thought of everything, as even the cup holders can be heated or cooled, depending on which type of beverage you have. The Adaptive Remote Start feature, allows the driver to start the ignition, heat the cabin and seats, even before they even step foot inside the vehicle. This year’s Escalade ESV comes with a 10-speaker, 5.1 Bose surround sound system, that will blare high-quality tunes through powerful speakers. Compared to the regular Escalade, the ESV has 30 more cubic feet of interior space. This will make consumers who plan on using the vehicle for vacations extremely happy. Behind the third-row seating alone, there is 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space. All in all, consumers will be hard-pressed to find anything on the interior to complain about.
So, when it comes down to brass tacks, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV is a great choice that will have you riding in style. Just remember, that the gas mileage is going to have you repeatedly at the pump.
