On a winding trail above Rancho Cucamonga

Wanna know just how accomplished  the ride is on the new Cadillac Escalade ESV?

This weekend the wife and I took one up to Rancho Cucamonga to pick up a new puppy. And guess what?  It slept all the way home: more than 40 miles over hilly terrain with an 8-week-old Doberman asleep in the back, with no rolling, barking, barfing or laying anything to damage that fine patent leather interior (though of course we laid a tarp just in case).

So we went from bling-dawg to, er, puppy dog. And I think a new puppy is perhaps the only thing that could overshadow the joyous feeling of stepping into Caddy's chromed-out, super loaded Oprah Winfrey-moving, long-wheelbase variant.  Hang on, I think overshadow is the wrong word: we'll wait until our baby has grown to its full, snarling height.

The Escalade scaled its own heights some time ago, as seen in our review of the 2006 model here (http://www.lasplash.com/Vehicles/2006_Cadillac_Escalade_-_Review_Road_Test.php).  All spanking new for the 2007 year model, Cadillac has improved and refined what could be the most desirable SUV out there -- as reflected by its stature at the top of the most-stolen vehicles chart for the fourth straight year.

Bad-boy front grille

This may of course impact your insurance, though I don't think that'll  affect Oprah or indeed any other of the brand's target demographic  anytime soon.  Talking of which, have you seen the price of pet insurance these days?  Yowzer. 

So the older-model Escalade bucked like a pup stung by a horsefly but needed some serious work on its chassis and suspension. Which it has received.  What was formerly a camel in a wolf's clothing is now as smooth as a dobe's ears and as tightly-sprung as its back legs.

In terms of bite, the big-block 6.2 liter snaps this beast from zero to a mile a minute in under seven seconds, with the  more than 400 horses under the hood also contributing to low-down acceleration.  That's just about as quick as you get, with only the Germans managing to wring more out of their Cayenne (though you have to question its looks).

22-inch chrome aluminum wheels

Its six-speed automatic box moves efficiently through the gears, and is definitely an improvement on its four-gear predecessor, though I noticed that it's unevenly calibrated between second and third, which is unusual, and may suggest a slight rush into production. It's a minor thing though, practically unnoticeable to the average driver.

Who probably won't buy one of the beauties for its gear-changes.  It is, of course, all about the bling.  Don't, however, write off a vehicle more likely to be seen at movie openings than the great outdoors.  On a steep trail winding into the hills outside Cucamonga, the Cadillac maneuvered admirably, with deft touch on the steering and all that power on tap for low-gear tricks.  And can you say improved brakes?  Oh yes.  You can also tow over 7,000lb.

Now, aside from a few styling tweaks nabbed off its sister Tahoe, like the steeper windshield, there's not a huge amount to separate the 2007 in looks from the previous one.  It's still a bad boy movie-star HiD-headlights hip-hop image: the long-wheelbase version  into which I saw rapper Busta Rhymes high-stepping,  cheeseburger in mouth, after leaving that roadside caboose/restaurant in West Hollywood.  Maybe he was attracted by the Bose surround sounds, though I very much doubt he had the factory spec only (which is more than adequate).

Whole lotta power is fed to those wheels

Revamped chassis and slightly higher bumper

Ride and handling are excellent courtesy of its lowered frame and stiffened chassis.  I have a favorite spot coming onto the 405 over one of those ubiquitous road dips that I test stability at moderate speed and the Caddy, despite its massive 5,886 heft, straightened out with barely a dunt. Very impressive.  Fuel economy, at 13 and 17 town and highway,  less so.

Inside is everything, really, you could want or need.  All-perforated leather inside with two sets of back seats, both split foldable in seconds, which came with the DVD console sat-nav package which sits nicely under the reworked trademark Bulgari clock for a pinch under $2,5000.  For another $3,000, you get the monster 22-inch chrome rims, taking the total to $67, 210, from a base price of $59,890.

Which should keep the real big dogs happy.  And you can bet with a full-grown doberman keeping watch, no thief'll go near it.

All-leather, all luxury

Superby comfortable cabin

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