2012 Cadillac Escalade Test Drive & Luxury SUV Video Review

www.autobytel.c... The 2012 Cadillac Escalade might be on the higher end of the price scale for an SUV. However the Escalade wasn't made for ordinary soccer moms and trips to the grocery store, Cadillac's premium SUV was built for those looking for luxurious comfort. It's not uncommon to see rap stars, movie stars, diplomats, and other famous high profile people stepping out of an Escalade. The 2012 Cadillac Escalade exudes style and sophistication, and is also packed full of the latest and greatest technology as well as a very powerful engine. The base price for this SUV is $63,170 with the top of the line Platinum Edition AWD moving off dealer lots starting at $82,495.
The 2012 Cadillac Escalade is powered by a powerful 6.2 liter V-8 engine that produces 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft. of torque. The Escalade's transmission is a 6-speed automatic that is very responsive and great for towing. The Escalade also comes with either a RWD or AWD drivetrain. Fuel economy for the 4x2 model is 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway thanks to Active Fuel Management which essentially turns the Escalade V-8 into a 4-cylinder engine at low operating loads. The suspension features Magnetic Ride Control Shocks that sense changes in the road and make adjustments every few milliseconds. This technology allows the shocks to dampen almost instantaneously providing a comfortable ride.
The Escalade has always been known to have the latest and greatest technology available from Cadillac. Some great features found on the 2012 model include: Blind Zone Alert, Touch-Screen Navigation, Bose surround sound, and more. There is DVD entertainment for the rear passengers. Leather seating and surfaces along with high end wood trim pieces are prevalent in the 2012 Cadillac Escalade. And now the Escalade also features cool LED headlights and taillights.
See More Car Videos
www.autobytel.c...
Join Our Facebook Page
/ autobytel

[@redemptionhd1422]

LOL look at all these haters! This Escalade is a master piece! I actually own one! Has never broken down once! Powerful V8, which makes for awesome acceleration! Yea it's a $70,000+ SUV!! Which means most of you haters can't even afford it! HAHAHHAHA LOL

[@rogeliomedrano4193]

Redemption HD

[@thevampirecielphantomhive2342]

I'm a lover and it's painful how much i want one.

[@thevampirecielphantomhive2342]

@SuperZX thats smug dide your well off the gas prices affect everyone its not a laughing matter

[@doug9066]

I like the looks of this model year, I've been considering buying one from this body style to a newer body style.

[@doug9066]

@SuperZX I'm starting to feel the same as you guys not worrying about the gas mileage or cost to fill & thinking of getting one. I fill my Lincoln Town Car when I have a half a tank anyhow plus I conserve when I'm in town on my days off.

[@tannerenlow379]

If you can afford the the 70-90k car then you can afford the gas!!! I have also never seen another full size suv beat a sports car from 0-60 that has not been modified

[@JonahGhost]

definitely better than the competition models which were metioned during the review

[@NYPD265]

One of my family friends recently bought the mercedes suv, as my family bought the 2012 cadillac esv.. His mercedes has already been in the shop mulitple times as for the cadillac we havent changed the oil once and it still drives like it brand new. American cars are proven to last longer than any european car. Proven fact.

[@skyforce911]

in all honestly , what he is saying is pretty true. the cadillac escalade just reeks luxury.

[@Richardwwe619]

King of SUVs

[@MySamisbest]

Thats a nice rebadged Yukon.... I wish the Escalade had an option to get those brake lights... Thats a VERY nice vehicle you have there!!

[@autobytel]

Good Catch!

[@autobytel]

actually the 2013 Mercedes GL550 only has 382 Horsepower and STARTS at $85K mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model?class=GL&model=GL550

[@AlexHernandez-tt2ry]

OMG ! I love the 2012 Escalade , If you ask ppl whats your favorite car , truck or SUV they would probably say a Ferrari or a Lamborghini but if you were to ask me that, i would say a 2012 Escalade , in My Opition its the Greatest SUV On Earth ! Love this SUV , For the Price that it has it's Worth it !

[@Narrowcros]

Still dont know the diffrence between 4 wheel drive and all wheel drive

[@autobytel]

That's City MPG though. Hey you can get 18 MPG on the highway. And that is with cylinder deactivation. One word....Weight!

[@MySamisbest]

You guys do know that this is actually a GMC Yukon with all the GMC badges taken off and replaced with Cadillac right? The tail lights sorta sell it out.

[@cesarconh895]

You can get the 6.2 in a silverado in 1/2 tons and 3/4 and a 6 litter also.

[@SynimaticKootra]

You HAVE to review the new 2013 Honda Accord when it comes out, I saw the pictures and it doesn't look that bad!

[@SubieandFriends]

good idea but why detune? why not the same or even more power?

[@autobytel]

Ah I missed the 2013 part in the first comment

[@cgatti18]

AMEN. The denali is the best value and it now has the same horsepower as this

[@MrHaiderh]

I have those side steps on a yukon denali too. Not exclusive to escalade.

[@doug9066]

Very nice & nicer in black on black. In 1999 the Cadillac Escalade reminded me more of the GMC Yukon Denali.

[@MySamisbest]

Thats cool!! and yeah... it is..

[@TheSourceOfAllEvil]

Thanks to Ford and Lincoln's new Expeditions in Navigators Cadillac has a new competition out there

[@thevampirecielphantomhive2342]

😢 I want one...please 😭

[@MySamisbest]

$59,000 here in North America

[@JackpodyDK]

Funny, because if that's true, then why were no Merc's made between 1886-1985 unreliable, while literally every American manufacturer had some sort of problem going on in that period of time? Reality check.

[@HD13POWER]

Is the Escalade in the video Premium or Platinum?

[@orlandoortiz9316]

they be waiting for me to arrive on the red carpet >:D

[@Atthewgoop]

Yes you can get a 6.2 in a Tahoe and silverado and gmc to

[@iMrDrumAndBass]

Check the upload date buddy ;). Things have changed

[@peanuts2105]

It goes like this. You turn down a Range Rover, Discovery, VW Touareg , Mercedes G class, M class and GL; BMW X5 or X6 and a Audi Q7. Anyone who owns one might as well say this in big neon lights - "No, I don't want the best SUV's on the planet (Range Rover) or anything else from Europe, I want want something that is worse, I want something that is comically shit, I want a Cadillac Escalade" No style, lowest denominator "engineering" and absolutly no taste. Top five of crappest cars on Earth

[@kristianbrandt3012]

I love how he juuuuuuuust happened to leave out the Volvo XC90, the Audi Q7, the Merc M class, the Porsche Cayenne, the VW Toareg and, of course, the Range Rover. That aside I have driven a 2nd generation Escalade and my verdict is this. You Americans are in deep, deep denial. It's shit and completely incapable of off roading which sort of defeats the whole purpose. It is in no way, shape or form a drivers car. And those 400 bhp feel like 80.

[@tsmith76092]

When I think Escalade I think of stay at home mom... not celebrity. Any guy that drives an escalade either has a dog in their purse or is trying to overcompensate with an overdose of chrome. I made my dad get the tahoe instead, it might have cheaper leather and materials but in normal driving the tahoe gets 5+ more mpg and the styling is much more masculine and understated. Just my opinion though...

[@CSR_CarShowReady]

80K really? Its cheaper, more reliable and more practical than the SUV it completes with. Put 6 people in an X5 or Mercedes plus a weekend worth of luggage while pulling a boat. Then tell me a Escalade ESV is pointless. Stop hatting cus u can't afford it.

[@trumpet12345]

The "Silver" or "Brush Aluminum" is disgusting. Expensive materials with cheap like that create an anti-synergy that even the tackiest of tastes couldn't enjoy. This is a product that you have to scratch your head about. Consider the Yukon buyers with a higher median income than the Escalade. This vehicle stands for nothing I'll miss when it fades away.

[@insidertrading1]

The LandCruiser/LX is still the best with the most incredible heritage, second only to Land Rovers. I'd get the Land Cruiser, not just for the much better reliability and durability but for the efficiency and features. More 3rd politicians have escaped with their lives in the LandCruiser than any other vehicle too LOL

[@arashn89]

your mistaken,the GL550 for the 2013 model year comes with 429hp and 516 lb-tq which is leaps and bounds ahead of anything that is currently on the market or will come on the market in 2013. the 382 hp you are referring to is the 2007 to 2012 5.4 liter engine, the 2013 comes with a twin turbo 4.7 liter V8 make sure you get the real facts before posting.

[@BigKiddStats]

i owned the 08 version of this car, terrible vehicle sure it was good at first but the gas spending at least $250 every weak on anytime and thats only on highway city is the worst ever, GL550 is way better

[@tmwillowbrook]

You forgot to mention more gas guzzler. I'm just messing with you.. It's a nice vehicle but i personally would not spend that kinda money on Escalade. Everyone has there own TASTE.

[@MySamisbest]

I was talking about the Range Rover.... I don't have to give reasons why my opinions are the way they are.... They are my opinions and everyone should deal with it.

[@chek1n]

have you even driven the 3rd gen? it goes from 0-60 in just 6 secs. GM really got their shit together

[@MySamisbest]

Hell NO!! That was the biggest mistake Toyota has ever made!! I want a vehicle that looks good and can tow well.. Not a show off vehicle.

[@WSOJ3]

its all about blingblingness; it's not very pratical; Audi Q7 or Infiniti JX would offer a better practicality vs blingblingness trade off

[@bicmitchum1368]

Thinking about getting one of these in 2024, guy wants 21k , is ti worth it?

[@ajkelly1700]

What this guy doesn't know is that you can have the 6.2L V8 in the Chevy Silverado on the Chevy Camaro ZL1 also but the 6.2L V8 in the Silverado only has 350hp the one in the Cadillac escalade has 400hp so there is a noticeable difference

[@jbmonku2593]

Ok i have this car but mine is platinum and i dont see a huge difference and i paid 80,500 for the platinum :/ ....

[@rparry82]

Or Yukon Denali too. The name Cadillac says it all always going to be an extra 20,000 add on if it says Cadillac lol

[@eLO419]

my dad bought the premium edition a month ago.. awesome car!

[@1alwayswin]

escalade gets better mpg rated at 14 city 18 highway as supposed to the gl55 rated at 12 city and 17 highway

[@s0olo0]

this car is shit, filled with plastic, leather is cheap and u can hear a lot of sounds when ur driving.

[@kristianbrandt3012]

It not actually that difficult to make a 4x4 do 0-60 in 6 seconds. But it really doesn't make sense.

[@moparsrock]

If you're bitching about the price of gas in new Escalade, chances are you can't afford it anyway!

[@kiddem17]

and i think you should pass grade school and find a better car to love than a ford taurus

[@marcsukumar]

I have a beach house in Malibu

[@NoorAB23]

it has nothin on the new Range Rover if you want all or nothing Range Rover is the thing

[@MySamisbest]

Nevermind I see now... no chrome on the sides and it doesn't have the escalade interior.

[@af_alnahhas]

also the same automated boards and with same seats

[@TheKeithriff16]

Infiniti is not in the $70-80,000 price range. It starts from about $61,000.

[@MrAviator12]

It's not worth half it's price, i'd rather have a Tahoe or Explorer.

[@DJMRSKINNYJEANZZ]

I don't know about you guys but I like Infiniti Qx56 more than a escalade.

[@jtnoodle]

I expected a woman to get out. Real men don't drive those things.

[@Ms77check]

You getting beat for the Premium headlights improbably dual exhaust with the Chrome tips in the back too with a DVD screen in the front seats head rest....how I know this I have a Escalade to 2010.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

I'm gonna miss the EXT. Since it was based on the Avalanche, it won't be here anymore. Caddy seems like less of a waste of money than the lame-assed GMC Denali.

[@elvisp.colon.2459]

Not now the Cadillac 2012 PLATINIUM IS SOMTHING ELSE... IS CLASS IT USE TO BE LIKE THE DENALI BUT NOT NO MORE. ITS CLASS.

[@ssteam-lw5pi]

13mpg wait wat!!!hows that great around town!!!!!

[@kristianbrandt3012]

Saying the Escalade is a driver's car, is like saying musclecars are sporty and responsive, when really most of our hot hatchbacks could outrun them round a track. The funny thing is that America proved they could build a proper car a few years ago. The Cadillac CTS-V. Sure it's a bit vulgar and, in Europe, a bit of a footballer's car(read, soccerplayer) but it is genuinely good. But most of it is just a sea of plastic and cost efficient pleather.

[@chek1n]

well that ford isn't stock and doesnt do 0-60 in 6 secs

[@moparsrock]

hahaha, yeah, it's more of a gas guzzler too, but Anyone who can afford to shell out $70k for a vehicle probably doesn't worry a whole lot about fuel costs. I would like an Escalade, but it's out of my price range. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is nearly just as good, at half the price though.

[@Blackcuda]

Just so you know, this is a review of a 3rd generation Escalade not a 2nd gen., that you drove with 300hp. Also Cadillac never claimed the Escalade as a off road vehicle, it's for towing and luxury cruising. Also I sincerely doubt any of the foreign SUV's you mentioned can match the Escalades reliability especially a Range Rover !

[@Laith_E46]

4 wheel drive is when you press on the gas all four wheels receive the same amount of power while all wheel drive although similar, is when you press on the gas and all four wheels recieve different amounts of power depending on which tire according to the AWD system thinks has the most traction

[@tmwillowbrook]

Well i looked at Tahoe LTZ not too long ago and i was pretty surprised with not being all that roomy and everything inside felt really cheap ( bid disappointment) . End up buying Lexus Rx350 plus got GREAT deal on it since they are liquidating 2012's.

[@BigBerk765]

@jtnoodle Shut up, dude. What do you know about being a real man. Real men like good-looking, comfortable clothes, homes, and vehicles too. Being a real man doesn't always involve heavy lifting and back-breaking work and sweat. Grow up, alright?

[@tmwillowbrook]

No DIFFERENCE THEN TAHOE. So why spend the extras????????

[@mb013962]

the fact that this is a 2012 model and only gets 13mpg, america is better than that, we'll just have to wait for the next gen

[@KeliBaB]

Don't worry, I know you're not anti-american or a racist. You called a spade a spade and there's nothing wrong with that. I never got the cadillac escalade hype, I think is dull, and tasteless.

[@arashn89]

@autobytel lots of luxuary suvs are leaps and bounds ahead of the aging escalade like the 2013 mercedes gl550 which has 429hp and 516 lb-tq, infiniti qx, lexus lx etc etc etc

[@80GP400]

2009 Chevy Tahoe had a 6.2L engine with VVT Option with 6 speed Transmission that had a shifter on the column and 3:75 Rear Grear Option.

[@Mejevoli]

Douche bags gets escalades, Men get range rovers :)

[@sebastianvedia12345]

very intelligent comment

[@jayhod21]

didnt know that it had doorsteps or so .... and electrically powered :O

[@moparsrock]

It has a different engine, transmission, interior, suspension, and 4WD system than the Tahoe... So yeah it's different. That's why you spend extra.

[@whoopdattrick9390]

U caget 6.2 in yukon denalis lol

[@sindrefsproduction]

I would rather have a German or British SUV. Partially because their SUV actually are proper SUVs, but mainly because the quality is much better..

[@mb013962]

this is kinda a bad image of american society

[@RafaVilla13]

A Ford F-150 Harley Davidson is way more luxurious, cheaper & better looking this this Escalade no doubt!

[@BigKiddStats]

i owned the escalade for 2 years and i live in NYC and drove it for 20mi max. I bought it for 45k with 28k Mi. sold it for 32k with 72k

[@lilxmiget]

was thinking about one of these for a family car as i only have 2 seater cars but blimy my lambo goes more mpg than that!

[@RabbitRacing09]

over priced chevy tahoe is the yukon and cadillac

[@davidhammond3293]

This truck has a lot of presence but no soul. This is for those who have a lot of money and no taste. America can't do luxury.

[@rootiest]

anyone has this exact same truck? lets talk

[@MySamisbest]

Its look and its a very unreliable tow vehicle..

[@matthew_opgaming5986]

the thaoe the suburban yukon denali all have the same chassi GM made so haters stop hating

[@KZSoze]

You CAN get the same engine, but in the other sister vehicle, the Yukon, compared to the Suburban/Tahoe.

[@MySamisbest]

Why are you replying to me on the videos that I watch?

[@IbangedYaMama]

A Cadillac reliable ? Dude what you smoking ?

[@MySamisbest]

The Range Rover is such a girly vehicle....

[@RafaVilla13]

You don't buy an SUV for the 0-60 time at least I don't,. Thats for like sports cars. I'm discussing on the luxury of a f160 & a escalade, which the 2012 f150 Harley beats the shit of the escalade. How do I know because I own one my self

[@Birdofprey90]

If you want to tow get a truck gmc Denali

[@rparry82]

Im sure i can find me a Yukon Denali that will get the same features as the Escalade.

[@markmarshall39]

how abut detuning the 6.2 zr-1 motor and having an excalade v'series, sounds good to me

[@GarrettDerp]

You should upload a video of that and also of your Jaguar XJL Portfolio to your non-existent video collection.

[@NYPD265]

The denali has a 6.0 liter V8.