Be not misled, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is not a replacement for the vehicles in your favorite limousine service. It is a truck.

Even in Hybrid form, the Cadillac Escalade makes a bold statement with big chromed wheels, low profile tires and lots of bling. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

A luxuriously outfitted truck to be sure, with a dazzling array of electronic gadgetry and conveniences elegantly integrated into the interior.  But climbing up into it is quite unlike the entry into your favourite luxury sedan. What it brings to the luxury experience, along with its hybrid power system, is a third row of seats.

The trade-off is that to clamber into that last seat is an inelegant experience best left to those under 20, and the space occupied by that seat simply eliminates — completely — any storage between the seat back and the rear hatch. However, with both of the split-third-row seats removed or folded all the way forward leaving luxury accommodations for four adults, it would make a luxurious trip to the theater and might be the ultimate cross-country highway vehicle. If you choose to bring your own housing in the form of a carefully polished Airstream (the standard equipment includes a 5,800-pound towing capacity) then it is absolutely the finest traveling vehicle extant.

The Escalade’s overview of traffic, in the interest of both safety and lane position, would be hard to beat.

The dashboard is one of the best ever offered by General Motors. All controls are carefully detailed, logically identified and conveniently positioned.(Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

And the dashboard beyond which that view extends is one of the best ever offered by General Motors. It displays a rational layout, carefully detailed, logically identified and conveniently positioned. Key to the friendly nature of the display is the instrument cluster directly behind the steering wheel. The primary dials are segmented with large numbers and detailed with a brushed aluminum surround trimmed by a small bright ring. Classic. The necessary digital display is centered below the fuel consumption gauge and the gauge it affects; both important to the environmentally conscious buyer of an Escalade Hybrid. Unfortunately, the vehicle is probably vegan proof. It is so filled with beautifully fitted and hand-stitched leather it would likely send a vegan into apoplexy.

For the beefeaters among us, the embarrassment of technological riches is exhibited in an elegantly simple display. The navigation and entertainment screen is large enough to be no challenge to the senior buyer and offers so many choices as to entertain the most digitally gifted. The primary choices are tabbed across the top of the screen: The “Hybrid” tab simply offers a graphic display of the flow of power to the rear axle, an entertaining distraction. Under “Sound”, think Bose 5.1 surround sound and where within the opulent ambiance you would like your music selections to be focused.

The luxurious interior is filled with beautifully fitted and hand-stitched leather. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

“Radio” lets you choose between AM and FM if you commute and XM if you just need to be entertained (XM traffic is available in the US), and if you don’t trust any of them you can load up to six CDs or DVDs (for the video screens in the roof and the back of each front headrest) or, of course, simply plug your iPod into the jack in the console for access to a couple thousand of your personal favourites. “Nav” opens a big-screen map display with countless special locations available; if you need gas, food, lodging or help, ask the system for the details. “Display” lets you adjust the way your information is delivered, and a clock in a box completes the tab set. They are all so clear that the least computer literate will have no difficulty navigating the navigation screen. Below the two CD drive slots are a secondary set of programmable selections, then the climate control holds the bottom of the stack. One assumes that you would set a temperature you prefer and leave it through the seasons. The reversing camera uses the information screen, and its image supersedes all other selections as it shows what is behind the vehicle. Cadillac is changing the world’s perception of what GM can do. Here is an interior equal to any, from anywhere, and maybe the best in class for real comfort.

Once all senses have been carefully ministered to and the ambient atmosphere is personal and perfect there is an assumed expectation of motion, even action.

The third row seats can be folded away, but cargo room is minimal with them up. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Cadillac has taken an enormous, luxuriously-appointed personal transportation module and underpinned it with vehicle dynamics in the controlled touring mode. There is no pretense of a “sporting” character, but when a quick response is required the Escalade will escalate its abilities with GM’s highly-regarded magnetic fluid damping, well-developed suspension geometry, brakes (four-wheel discs, 330.2mm at the front and 345 in the rear) and tires (Bridgestone P285/45R22 AL3 performance), all designed to be part of an integrated system of driver involvement. The 22-inch chrome wheels might first appear a bit over-the-top, but the nine-inch wide, low aspect ratio Bridgestones go a long way toward making this big ute both stable at speed and responsive under stress.

Power is from a 6.0-litre all-aluminum V8 with two electric motors installed between the engine and transmission. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Response from the power delivery system is another matter. The 6.0-litre all-aluminum V8 is brilliant in its 6.2-litre gas-only form. In order to produce a lower fuel consumption number it was subjected to a modified Atkinson cycle late-intake-closing valve-timing program. The result is reduced fuel consumption that contributes to reduced horsepower and response. As Toyota did with their Atkinson cycle Prius, GM patched the performance gap with a pair of electric motors cleverly engineered into a very complex hybrid power transmission system.

On the highway the elaborate hybrid system is not apparent, except for the small gauge wiggling its pointer to indicate what your foot is doing to your gas or electric consumption. In town, however, GM claims a 50-percent reduction in fuel consumption because the system can simply shut down the V8 and get you to the market as an electric vehicle. All the GM-published material on this remarkable accomplishment suggests you can go all-electric up to 55 km/h (35 mph). Media archives do not support that claim. Our experience took us from stationary up to 30 km/h (20 mph) before the gas engine was asked to help.

On the road or in the driveway, the Escalade Hybrid is one good looking full-size SUV. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

That tells us that 55 km/h might be possible with some system reprogramming, after which it could be used in traffic as a giant electric vehicle. But at 30 km/h it is only useful in the neighbourhood or crossing a parking lot. Our goal was to use the Escalade Hybrid as an electric vehicle for the entire week in our little village. It was not possible and, in fact, a bit disappointing. We want GM to survive with its vast engineering resources, but it does not help to spend millions advertising a performance strategy that is simply not possible with the vehicle as delivered.

Cadillac’s latest Escalade Platinum Hybrid sets a new benchmark for luxury from Detroit (well, it is actually built in Arlington, Texas where they know a thing or two about trucks and Cadillacs), but the incredibly complex hybrid system has too little recognition on the road to be a badge of green righteousness and too little recognizable usefulness behind the wheel. It is a grand idea worthy of further development and success.

Specifications (2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid):

• Price range (MSRP): $94,295 – $112,145 CDN ($73,135 – $87,435 USD)
• Destination: $1,420 CDN ($950 US)
• Body type: 5-door full-size SUV
• Layout: Front engine, 2WD (optional 4WD)
• Engine (combined): 332 hp, 367 lb-ft, 16-valve, 6.0L OHV V8  / electric hybrid
• Transmission: CVT + 4-spd auto + 2 motor actuators
• Brakes (front / rear): disc / disc, ABS, EBD, BA
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 5,153 / 2,007 / 1,887 / 2,946 mm (202.5 / 79 / 74.3 / 116 in)
• Curb weight: 2WD 2,598 kg / 4WD 2,729 kg (5,727 / 6,016 lbs)
• Tires: P285/45R22 AL3
• Cargo volume (behind 3rd row/2nd row/1st row): 478 / 1,707 / 3,084 L (16.9 / 60.3 / 108.9 cu ft)
• Fuel consumption, 2WD (city / hwy): 11.8 / 11.2 L/100km (20 / 21 mpg)
• Warranty (mo/km): 48 / 80,000 comprehensive, 96 / 160,000 powertrain and hybrid components
• Direct competitors: Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI
  
• Website: www.gm.ca/
  

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(R6P) Premium Paint

(J004) Standard Black Paint

(K05) Engine Block Heater

(ULT) Platinum Edition

(BRS) Power Assist Steps

(U42) Rear Seat Entertainment System