Exterior & Styling

When I saw the first press images of the all-new Escalade, I was aghast. The new front grille seemed way too extravagant for what is essentially an all-American SUV. Then I saw it in black-metallic painted flesh at the Detroit auto show and realized that this would be a big seller. I've only seen black Escalades on the streets, and I was delighted to receive the dark blue test vehicle. How do you tone down all the chrome? Get a subtle color like this blue. Overall I'm a bigger fan of the traditional look of the Range Rover, but it's easy to see why people are attracted to this Escalade.

The front is overwhelmed by the multi-faceted chrome grille, so much so that you barely notice the huge headlights. In back, vertical LED taillights add a high-end touch and — if you think about it — tie this un-car-like SUV right into the rest of Cadillac's lineup. Large chrome wheels finish off the package, and while I would opt for something more practical, they weren't at all gaudy. Even as someone well outside any of the target markets for the Escalade — I'm neither hip nor old enough to be a former Cadillac owner — I felt comfortable being seen behind the wheel.

    See also:

    Compass Zone
    The zone is set to zone eight. If you do not live in zone eight or drive out of the area, the variance needs to be changed to the appropriate zone. To adjust for compass variance, use the fol ...

    Tire Inspection
    We recommend that the tires, including the spare tire, if the vehicle has one, be inspected for signs of wear or damage at least once a month. Replace the tire if: - The indicators at three ...

    Parking (Manual Transmission)
    Before getting out of the vehicle, place the shift lever in R (Reverse) and firmly apply the parking brake. For vehicles with the key access ignition, turn the ignition key to OFF/LOCK, and r ...