The 2015 Escalade is easily the hottest full-size truck of the year. Its arrival is still forthcoming, but the first Tahoe’s and Yukon’s are already starting to trickle onto dealer lots.
Extra attention to the Escalade’s cabin and driving experience explain why the Cadillac is not shipping first. But better late and perfect than early and unfinished.
For most buyers in the market for an Escalade-sized truck, there would be a few solid preference to keep in mind:
— ESV length versus the shortie would be a no-brainer for me — the price increase is only $3,000 but the increased functionality worth about $10,000 over the lifetime of the truck. Only downside is slightly higher fuel consumption and a bit less maneuverable in tight cities. ESV is much smoother on the highway, however.
— 4×4 also on my must-have list. despite how entertaining the RWD Escalades must be to drift.
This leaves the choice among three ESV trim levels:
Standard
Luxury
Premium
The mid-spec luxury trim adds just enough to whet my appetite, without going overboard with the Premium’s rear-seat Blu-ray system. There are almost no options to check, mercifully, once a trim level is chosen.
But I do recommend the all-weather floor mats and some kind of cargo tray liner — just to make it easier to keep showroom fresh.
PRICING — 2015 Escalade
Select Drive Type
2 Wheel Drive — MSRP Starting at $72,690
4 Wheel Drive — MSRP Starting at $75,290
Select Trim
Standard — MSRP Starting at $75,290
Luxury — MSRP Starting at $79,290
Premium — MSRP Starting at $83,790
ESV Standard — MSRP Starting at $78,290
ESV Luxury — MSRP Starting at $82,290
ESV Premium — MSRP Starting at $86,790
**Do not forget to order the locking wheel lugnuts!!! You will be glad you did, as these 22-inch wheels fit all GM trucks and are in high demand on the black market!
The LED headlights are standard across the board, which is a great improvement versus the previous Platinum-only option that cost an extra $10,000 over the old Premium package. Platinum is not on the spec sheet this year, but might return some time in the future.
ESV Luxury — Added Features
The Luxury Collection includes all the Escalade Standard features plus:
22″ dual 7-spoke premium painted wheels with chrome inserts
Driver Awareness Package
Side-Blind Zone Alert
Safety Alert Seat
Lane Departure Warning
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Change Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
IntelliBeam® headlamps
Second-row power release fold-and-tumble seats
Power tilt-sliding sunroof
Full-color Head-Up Display (HUD)
More Cargo Space than Escalade
Selectable Four-Wheel Drive
ESV Premium — Added Features
The Premium Collection includes all the Escalade Luxury Collection features plus:
22″ dual 7-spoke premium painted wheels with chrome inserts
Driver Assist PackageIlluminated exterior door handles
Front Automatic Braking
Rear Automatic Braking
Automatic Collision Preparation
Adaptive Cruise Control with full-speed range
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
Rear-seat entertainment system with 9″-diagonal overhead screenMore Cargo Space than EscaladeSelectable Four-Wheel Drive
Blu-Ray® compatible
Remote control
Two-channel wireless infra-red headphones
INTERIORS — Kona Brown Leather is a Must.
The Escalade is available with three interior themes that correspond with the primary leather seat color.
Power-operated captains chairs in the second row are standard, but a power-folding middle row bench is available as a no-cost option. Same goes for the black and tan leathers — leaving best leather color a $2,000 upgrade that is well worth the money for its overall cabin ambiance lift.
This theme is called Kona brown and uses a wonderful new leather with open-pore surfaces and a rich grain unlike anything seen in the even the previous Escalade Platinum. It is easily the nicest and best-quality leather used in a GM vehicle in seven decades. None of the over-processed and over-slippery effect that makes the previous Escalade interiors seem little nicer than vinyl.
Black Leather
2015 Cadillac Escalade — Standard Features
Mechanical
Engine, 6.2L V8 with Active Fuel Management Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) and Variable Valve Timing (VVT), includes aluminum block construction (420 hp [313.2 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft of torque [621 N-m] @ 4100 rpm) (STD)
Transmission, 6-speed automatic, heavy-duty, 6L80, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode (STD)
Trailering equipment, heavy-duty includes trailering hitch platform, 7-wire harness with independent fused trailering circuits and 7-way sealed connector
GVWR, 7300 lbs. (3311 kg) (2WD models only.)
Suspension, Magnetic Ride Control with selectable sport mode
Automatic load leveling, rear
Steering, Electronic Power Steering (EPS)
Fueling system, capless
Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc
Brakes, VAC power, 17″ disc, with Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Collision Preparation
Brakes, DURALIFE rotors with FNC (Ferritic Nitro Carburizing) coating
Brakes, Hill Start-Assist/Hill hold
Brake, parking, electronic powered
TAN Leather
Interior
CUE Information and Media Control System with Embedded Navigation AM/FM stereo, 8″ diagonal color information display featuring touch response, haptic feedback, gesture recognition and Natural Voice Recognition. Five USB ports, including one in the articulating storage door/bin, SD card slot and auxiliary audio port (STD)
Entertainment system, rear seat includes two 9″ screen DVD players (Blu-Ray capable) with remote control, two 2-channel wireless infrared headphones, auxiliary audio/video jacks on rear of center console, sound compression, CD-R and CR-R/W capability, LED backlighting display, MP3 capable (Includes (DNU) third row DVD screen.)
Bluetooth for phone streaming audio for music for select phones
Audio system, SiriusXM and HD Radio SiriusXM Satellite Radio includes a 3-month trial (IMPORTANT: The SiriusXM Satellite Radio trial package is not provided on vehicles that are ordered for Fleet Daily Rental (“FDR”) use. If you decide to continue your service at the end of your trial subscription, the plan you choose will automatically renew and bill at then-current rates until you call 1-866-635-2349 to cancel. See SiriusXM Customer Agreement for complete terms at siriusxm.com. Other fees and taxes will apply. All fees and programming subject to change.)
NavTraffic is available in over 100 markets and works with your vehicle’s navigation system to give you continuously updated traffic data right when you need it most – while you’re driving. You’ll avoid traffic tie-ups, save time and gas by getting alternate routes, and, in some cases, receive traffic speed and drive-time information. Plus, you can use NavTraffic at the same time you’re enjoying SiriusXM Satellite Radio. You’ll find that once you start using NavTraffic, you won’t want to drive without it. (SiriusXM Satellite Radio and NavTraffic subscriptions sold separately or as a package after trial period. If you decide to continue your service at the end of your trial subscription, the plan you choose will automatically renew and bill at then-current rates until you call 1-866-635-2349 to cancel. See SiriusXM Customer Agreement for complete terms at siriusxm.com. NavTraffic available only in select markets. For more information, see siriusxm.com/navtraffic.)
Audio system feature, Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system with 16 speakers
DVD screen, third row (Included with (U42) rear seat entertainment system.)
Seats, front bucket with leather seating surfaces, driver and front passenger, 12-way power seat adjusters including 4-way power lumbar control, independently heated driver and front passenger seat cushions and seatbacks (three settings) and 2-position driver memory (STD)
Seats, second row bucket, power configurable (STD) (May be substituted for (ATT) second row 60/40 split-folding bench seats.)
Active Noise Cancellation
Seats, heated and cooled driver and front passenger
Seats, heated second row
Seat adjuster, front passenger 12-way power
Seats, third row 60/40 split-bench, power, fold flat
Console, floor with covered storage, large and small storage bins, dual cup holders, electronic climate controls and second row heated seat controls (inside console: auxiliary power outlet, two USB ports, SD card slot and auxiliary audio port), 110-volt outlet and auxiliary power outlet on the backside of console
Floor covering, color-keyed carpeting
Floor mats, color-keyed carpeted first and second row
Steering wheel, power-tilt, color-keyed with wood and leather-wrapped rim, locking.
Steering column, power tilt and telescoping
Steering wheel, heated
Steering wheel controls, mounted audio and Driver Information Center controls
Tow/haul mode selector, button located at end of shift lever
Driver Information Center with programmable personalization features such as door locking and unlocking, a trip computer with trip odometer and individual tire pressure read outs, fuel information such as range, average mpg, gallons used and oil life, and a message center that displays dozens of warning messages such as low fuel and door ajar
Gauge cluster, 12″ color, reconfigurable with Driver Information Center
Head-Up Display, 4-color, reconfigurable
Windows, power, with driver and front passenger Express-Up/Down and rear passengers Express-Down
Windows, power, all doors
Door locks, power programmable includes lockout protection and delayed locking
Lock control, side door, electric
Pedals, power-adjustable for accelerator and brake
Memory settings includes two “presets” for driver seat adjuster, outside rearview mirrors, power tilt/telescoping steering column and power-adjustable pedals
Remote Keyless Entry, passive entry, extended range
Universal Home Remote includes garage door opener, 3-channel programmable
Theft-Deterrent Package includes (UTR) self-powered horn, (UTV) interior movement sensor and (UTU) vehicle inclination sensors, door lock shields and glass break sensors in rear quarter glass and liftgate window
Sensor, vehicle inclination, will detect vehicle being towed or jacked up
Sensor, vehicle interior movement, will detect movement within the cabin of the vehicle
Climate control, tri-zone automatic with individual climate settings for driver, front passenger and rear passengers
Defogger, rear-window electric
Power outlet, 110-volt
Accents, interior, piano black and chrome finish
Mirror, inside rearview auto-dimming, includes OnStar controls.
Lighting, interior, door handle release, door storage, console and footwell
Lighting, interior, with theater dimming
Exterior
Wheels, 22″ x 9″ (55.9 cm x 22.9 cm) 7-spoke aluminum with premium paint and chrome inserts (Upgradeable to (RVA) 22″ x 9″ dual 7-spoke ultra-bright finish aluminum wheels with premium paint.) (STD)
Tires, P285/45R22 all-season, blackwall
Tire, spare P265/70R17 all-season, blackwall
Wheel, full-size spare, 17″ (43.2 cm) steel
Spare tire lock, hoist shaft
Sunroof, power, tilt-sliding with express-open/-close and wind deflector (Not included when (A4K) sunroof delete is ordered.)
Luggage rack, roof-mounted, chrome
Assist steps, running side board
Moldings, bodyside, chrome
Shutters, front active aero
Headlamps, LED high beam/low beam, light pipe
Headlamps, IntelliBeam, automatic high beam on/off
Headlamps, automatic on/off
Lamps, front cornering
Tail lamps, LED illumination
Glass, deep-tinted (all windows, except light-tinted glass on windshield and driver- and front passenger-side glass)
Glass, acoustic, laminated, windshield and front door glass
Windshield, solar absorbing
Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable, power-folding and driver-side auto-dimming, color-keyed with integrated turn signal indicators, ground illumination and programmable to provide curb view when in reverse
Wipers, front intermittent, Rainsense
Wiper, rear intermittent with washer
Door handles, illuminated
Liftgate, body equipment, power, hands free, programmable
Safety
Air bag, driver inboard seat-mounted for far side passenger protection (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.)
Air bags, dual-stage frontal, driver and right-front passenger with (AL0) Passenger Sensing System (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.)
Air bags, frontal and side-impact for driver and front passenger driver inboard seat-mounted side-impact and head curtain side-impact for all rows in outboard seating positions (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.)
Air bags, seat-mounted side-impact, driver and right-front passenger for thorax and pelvic protection (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.)
Air bags, head curtain, side-front and rear outboard seating positions (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.)
Passenger Sensing System, sensor indicator inflatable restraint, front passenger/child presence detector (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information.)
OnStar, 1-year of Directions and Connections plan includes Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Roadside Assistance and Turn-by-Turn Navigation (Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details and system limitations. Services vary by model and conditions.)
Front and Rear Park Assist
Rear Vision Camera
Lane Change Alert alerts driver when vehicle is approaching fast from the rear
Lane Departure Warning
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Side Blind Zone Alert alerts driver when vehicle is in blind spot
Driver Awareness Package includes Safety Alert Seat, (UEU) Forward Collision Alert and (UFL) Lane Departure Warning
Driver Assist Package includes (KSG) Adaptive Cruise Control, (UGN) Automatic Collision Preparation, (UVZ) Front and Rear Automatic Braking and (AX7) Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
Forward Collision Alert
Automatic Collision Preparation, collision avoidance and mitigation, vehicle forward movement, break prefill and intelligent brake
Safety Alert Seat haptic vibration in seat cushion works with safety features
Safety belts, first, second and third row belts to body, lap and shoulder all seating positions
Automatic Safety Belt Tightening
Door locks, child rear security
Tire Pressure Monitor System (does not apply to spare tire)
StabiliTrak, vehicle stability enhancement system with Rollover Mitigation, includes disable switch
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.