2002 Cadillac Escalade

I will never have Jevon Kearse’s fierce wingspan, Kevin Dyson’s speed or Eddie George’s fabulous calf muscles. Nor will I ever gaze upon an NFL salary check or into the eyes of a star-struck kid offering up a jersey for my autograph. But, for one week in September behind the wheel of a Cadillac Escalade, I got a glimpse of what I think it feels like to be one of the NFL elite. For those few days, I towered over the crowd. I felt intimidating and physically powerful and rich, and people gawked at this huge, shiny sable-black Cadillac truck with its oversized chrome grin of a grille and dark shaded windows. I felt ostentatious and bold and impressive. This, I thought to myself, must be what it feels like to be Steve McNair, minus the shoulder problems. The Good News
The Escalade name hasn’t changed for 2002, but everything else has. Cadillac scrapped its second-rate, we-all-know-it’s-a-Tahoe sport utility and put in its place a new-from-the-ground-up standard-setter.

For starters, it has more horsepower than anything else in the big luxury class. Way more. The all-wheel-drive model I tested comes with a 6.0-liter Vortec 6000 V-8 barreling 345 horses and 380 foot-pounds of torque. There is also a two-wheel drive model with a 5.3 liter, less spirited V8. Its closest non-GM competitor is the Lincoln Navigator at 300 horses; the rest in this class fall way behind. The 2002 Escalade has picked up a little weight, but the added power is more than enough to compensate. A 0-60 time of 7.8 seconds in independent tests proves it.

A new braking system is equally more responsive, and as you might imagine, all manner of electronics govern this Cadillac’s suspension and stability. The result is an on-road silkiness in the best of conditions and some extra security in the worst. Knowing few owners would be interested in risking the dings that come with off-roading, Cadillac chose a full-time all-wheel-drive setup. There is no low gear or transfer case shifting, just added traction for slippery streets.

In terms of those things that qualify the Escalade to bear the Cadillac crest, luxuries do abound. From its tender steering effort to its many power gadgets, it coddles driver and passengers. I recall saying the best thing about the previous Escalade was the sweet scent of its leather; that remains, as does a more traditional-looking interior than one might expect judging from its almost futuristic exterior.

The Bad News
Despite Cadillac’s every effort to make this Escalade manageable, I still felt awkwardly oversized. Any way you cut it, this is still a BIG vehicle and one can only be so nimble when these kinds of dimensions are at work. For all its exterior size, I hoped for a little more legroom inside. Although the front seat room is reasonable, back seat passengers don’t get much stretch. The removable third-row seat, while a great convenience, should be reserved for kids. Short ones.

Then there’s the matter of fuel consumption. Of course, anyone shopping luxury sport utes has already factored out fuel economy. But an EPA rating of 12 mpg city/15 highway smarts in this day of rising gas prices. I also noted when I made my usual treks to the local natural area, the conservationist-types glared at me.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $49,290;
Price as tested, $51,540

Is it worth it?
Those interested in a big luxury sport utility and all it signifies will likely be seduced by this Escalade’s class-leading horsepower, even if all else remained the same. But add its in-your-face styling, many other performance attributes and nice luxuries, and I believe Cadillac has hit the mark.

Personally, I have a hard time with the Escalade’s conspicuous consumption and overbearing looks, much as I do with most in this class. But it impresses me as right on for power-mongers, celebrities and anyone else who fancies more than his or her share of the road. In other words, those who would be famous running backs, if only behind the wheel.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.