Leather / Heated Seating
3RD Row Seating
Sunroof
2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE LUXURY
1GYEK63N74R234920
4 DOOR SPORT UTILITY 6.0L V8 MPI
ALL WHEEL DRIVE
Vehicle Overview
Cadillac hastily launched its first Escalade full-size sport utility vehicle in 1998 as a reaction to the success of the Lincoln Navigator. Sales for Cadillac’s SUV never reached expectations, but the automaker rejoined the fray with a boldly redesigned version that was introduced as an early 2002 model. A new V-8 engine made the Escalade the most powerful SUV on the market.
The Escalade may be equipped with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. XM Satellite Radio, a trailering package, second-row bucket seats and a tire-pressure monitor are now standard for 2004, and a second-row bench seat becomes a no-charge option. Buyers can now combine a sunroof with a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Cadillac also offers an Escalade EXT model that features a pickup bed, as well as the jumbo-size Escalade ESV.
Exterior
When it was unveiled for the 2002 model year, the Escalade was the first production model to display Cadillac’s “art and science design theme.” This bold, sharp-edged form was first seen on the company’s 1999 Evoq concept coupe and was described as “elegant severity.”
Squared-off headlights complement the multifaced appearance of the front end, which sports a prominent eggcrate grille. Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights were added for 2003. Cadillac’s wreath-and-crest insignia decorates the grille and liftgate. The Escalade rides a 116-inch wheelbase, stands 74.2 inches tall, and stretches 198.9 inches long overall and 78.9 inches wide. Seven-spoke cast-aluminum wheels hold 17-inch tires. A sunroof is optional.
Interior
Either seven or eight people enjoy the Escalade’s leather upholstery. The front seats have power lumbar, side bolster and recliner adjustment features, and the front- and second-row seats are heated. A second-row bench seat is standard, and each side of the available 60/40-split bench folds in a two-step process. The third row has a 50/50-split seat.
The center console is integrated into a Zebrano wood-trimmed dashboard. Power-adjustable brake and gas pedals include a memory function, and the tri-zone climate system comes with either manual or automatic control.
Analog instruments have aluminum rims, and a Bulgari-designed analog clock adds an elegant touch. The Bose stereo includes an in-dash six-CD changer; duplicate stereo controls are also installed on the leather and wood steering wheel. Touching a button folds the side mirrors close to the body to enable squeezing through tight spots. GM’s OnStar communication system offers Personal Calling and Virtual Advisor features.
Under the Hood
A 5.3-liter V-8 engine develops 295 horsepower and 325 pounds-feet of torque in the rear-drive Escalade. Four-wheel-drive models get a 6.0-liter V-8 that produces 345 hp and 380 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines drive a four-speed-automatic transmission.
The company’s StabiliTrak electronic stability system teams with a Road Sensing Suspension System that adjusts to various road surfaces. Both versions include a weight-distributing trailer hitch and wiring harness for towing; the rear-drive model can tow 7,400 pounds and the four-wheel-drive Escalade can tow as much as 8,100. Cadillac claims the rear-drive Escalade can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 9.45 seconds, and the four-wheel-drive version can achieve that feat in a swift 8.57 seconds.
Safety
Antilock brakes, all-speed traction control and side-impact airbags for the front seats are standard. A passenger-sensing system was added in 2003. An Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist function warns of obstacles to the rear while the vehicle is backing up.
