Just like the Yukon, the Escalade's cargo configuration is less than optimal, but for four passengers on a weekend trip it was great. Three overnight bags, two golf bags and a garment bag on top all fit in the rear cargo area after the third row had been folded in half then swung forward. Unfortunately none of the passenger seats fold flat, so this system has to do unless you remove the seats entirely. The huge center aisle between the second row seats held our snacks and cooler, and everyone had ample legroom. Headroom wasn't even a consideration. Given how tall the Escalade is, getting in and out could have been easier for everyone on the trip, myself included.

For four people, the Escalade is always going to be easy to live with; even for three couples the rear row is adequate. Thus you'll have a Cadillac shuttle to use to go out to a very nice dinner all in one vehicle. The money you save at the valet, of course, will go right back into the gas tank.

While the Escalade's sticker says it gets 13/19 mpg in city/highway driving, I observed a 13 mpg average over the course of about 300 miles of mixed highway and suburban driving in summer weather bordering the 90s. And as I mentioned before, for about 120 of those miles we had a full load of people and cargo. The air conditioning was used liberally the entire time, along with those cooling seats. In better conditions I'd expect the Escalade to provide better mileage in the middle of its advertised range.

Towing is rated at 7,700 pounds, about 200 pounds less than the Yukon Denali and about equal with the Range Rover Sport.