2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT

High-Class Half-Breed

The Cadillac Escalade EXT combines the best attributes of luxury SUVs and full-size pickups.

The Cadillac Escalade EXT is a pickup truck for the person who needs utility but doesn’t want to give up all the creature comforts of their luxury sedan. It takes the basic shape of the popular Escalade SUV, but the rear cargo area is open, like a pickup bed, to make it easy to haul bulky or messy cargo.

The Cadillac Escalade EXT is more flexible than most pickups and large SUVs thanks to the innovative Convert-a-Cab System it shares with the Chevrolet Avalanche. The rear seat folds flat, the back window and solid bed cover stow away, and a “midgate” (essentially a tailgate located behind the rear seat) lowers to create a standard 8-foot bed that extends into the cabin.

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The rear window and the bed cover also can remain in place with the midgate folded to create a huge enclosed trunk, perfect for protecting long, flat objects from the elements. Furthermore, on a nice day, the window can be removed independently of the midgate to let the breeze flow through the cabin.

Like the rest of General Motors’ recently updated full-size SUVs, the Cadillac Escalade EXT rides on a stronger and stiffer chassis that makes the vehicle feel sophisticated, comfortable and relatively nimble for its size. An all-wheel-drive system is standard. Although it lacks the low-range gearing necessary for hardcore off-roading, it’s not likely that many buyers will spend more than $53,000 to traverse anything more rugged than a gravel road.

Exterior styling, though also recently updated, remains familiar. Despite changes to improve aerodynamics, including a more steeply raked windshield, this is still a large and imposing-looking vehicle that struggles against the wind with its rectangular profile. A massive grille is flanked by high-intensity headlamps up front. A multitude of chrome accents around the vehicle can be blinding in direct sunlight.

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The vehicle's leather-clad, five-passenger cabin was recently upgraded and feels more luxurious thanks to higher-quality materials and a more attractive design. The back-lit instrument panel is low and pushed toward the front of the vehicle to add a sense of spaciousness while diminishing the big-truck feel that some might find intimidating.

Under the Cadillac Escalade EXT's massive hood is a strong 6.2-liter V8 engine that employs variable valve timing to generate an impressive 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine as in the standard Escalade, and it enables tire-smoking launches and strong acceleration on the highway. It also makes the EXT a capable tower.

Cadillac Escalade EXT Vehicle Summary

The six-speed automatic transmission shifts more smoothly and boosts fuel economy compared to the four-speed gearbox in the previous model. However, fuel efficiency is still rather dismal — don’t expect to break 20 miles per gallon, even in highway cruising. Manual gear selection is possible with a button on the column shifter.

The Cadillac Escalade EXT’s ride is pleasant thanks to its stiff and relatively low center of gravity. Its steering mechanicals have been revised for quicker turning. That, combined with a light steering feel, makes the EXT feel more maneuverable than the typical large pick-up.

GM’s stability control system, called StabiliTrak, is coupled with rollover mitigation technology that deploys the vehicle's standard head-curtain airbags before a crash occurs, if it determines a rollover is imminent.

Not lacking the latest gizmos, the Cadillac Escalade EXT comes standard with rain-sensing wipers with heated washers, park-assist technology and a remote-starting feature. Noteworthy options include a Dolby Digital Surround audio system, adaptive headlamps that pivot to illuminate the road around curves at night, and a rearview video camera that alerts the driver to people or objects behind the vehicle.

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The Escalade EXT's only direct competition is the similarly luxurious yet rugged Lincoln Mark LT, which doesn't have a fold-down midgate system and has been discontinued after 2008.

Is the Cadillac Escalade EXT for You?

Buy the Escalade EXT if	You need a full-size SUV with an open pickup bed for hauling large loads but also want a well-appointed luxury model; fuel economy isn’t a major concern.
Keep Looking if	You don't like to stand out; you’d just as soon save money and drive a Chevy Avalanche, which has the same functionality without all the fancy features; parking spaces are small where you live.
Who Fits?	Five will find plenty of room inside.
Closest Competitors	Chevrolet Avalanche Lincoln Mark LT