As tested: $67,000
Engine and transmission: 403-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 with 6-speed manually-shiftable automatic
Fuel economy: 13 city, 19 highway, 15 combined with AWD (EPA estimates)
Inside, the Escalade's interior is appropriately handsome with lots of believably wood-like trim.
The large center console bin, while a useful place to toss big items, feels loose and wobbly, as if it could be sent flying with a good punch.
Seating is comfortable in all three rows. The second row seats have a power folding feature that allows them to be curled up for easy access to the back row with yhr press of a button. (Buttons are located within reach of the driver's seat and just inside the back doors.) It's a nice, but pointless, feature. The seats aren't that hard to fold and, besides, there's no "unfold" button so you have to set them back up manually, anyway.
The Escalade's third-row seats are a real weak point. They don't go away when folded, instead sitting in the middle of the cargo floor like a set of full-sized luggage. At least they have handles so the seats can be pulled out and carried away. But that leaves you with two problems. First, the seats are heavy, handle or not. And, second, once you've left them behind, you've left them behind. You'd better not decide you want to carry more passengers unless you can go back home to get your seats.
