2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT Review

The market for upscale light trucks keeps expanding as the thick-wallet crowd continues to look for different types of luxurious models. For example, the combination of luxury and utility provided by the new Cadillac Escalade EXT and fairly new Acura MDX have put them among the most popular upscale trucks. Here is what I found while testing these models:

Escalade EXT: The $49,245 Escalade EXT is a combination sport-utility vehicle and pickup truck, which is something that would have been considered outlandish for Cadillac only a few years ago. However, the new $51,785 Lincoln Blackwood, which is a big, posh sport-ute with a cargo bed, led Caddy to introduce the EXT. The all-wheel-drive EXT is not to be confused with the regular Escalade, which comes with rear- or all-wheel drive and is a full-size luxury sport-utility with no pickup bed.

The Escalade shares a platform with General Motors' GMC Yukon/Denali and Chevrolet Tahoe, but has Cadillac's new chiseled styling, more luxury and greater power. On the other hand, the equipment-loaded EXT is based on the versatile new Chevrolet Avalanche. It's thus a four-door sport-ute with a "midgate'' separating the passenger area from the cargo bed. The bed is extended from 5.3 to 8.1 feet when you remove the rear window and fold the midgate and rear seat into the cab's interior.

While the Escalade is big, the EXT is wider, taller and 22.5 inches longer, with a wheelbase more than a foot longer. All that makes it seem best suited to the wide open spaces of, say, Texas. The Escalade looks slick, but the EXT's styling can be considered distinctive or odd, depending on your viewpoint. It takes extra effort to get in, but the EXT swallows five adults with the rear seat in its regular position. The quiet interior is plush, except for some marginal plastic trim.

The nicely designed dashboard has large controls and sports sedan instrumentation With a 345 horsepower V-8, the EXT is the most powerful sport-ute of its type on the planet. It streaks to 60 mph in just 7.9 seconds despite weighing an awesome 5,752 pounds. As might be expected with the 6-liter V-8 and all that weight, fuel economy is only an estimated 12 mpg in the city and 15 on highways. And premium fuel is recommended.

The EXT, which has a smooth four-speed automatic transmission, is best driven casually, as you would an old Caddy sedan, because the overly light steering is vague near the on-center wheel position and the brake pedal is too soft. The ride is very smooth, although sometimes wallowy. Features such as the all-wheel drive and StabiliTrak systems improve grip and stability and anti-lock brakes allow good stopping distances. The Escalade is more fun because it's trimmer and tighter, with better handling. But the EXT is for those who want the Cadillac nameplate on one of the most versatile new light trucks.

MDX: Acura had an immediate hit with the mid-size MDX sport-utility, which arrived for 2001 and the only change for the new model year is noise reduction measures, such as a sound-absorbing roof lining. The seven-passenger MDX is based on Honda's carlike Odyssey minivan. It's fairly rakish and has a cleverly designed all-wheel-drive system. Both the Base and Touring models are loaded with comfort and convenience equipment, along with leather upholstery.

The costliest model is the Touring version with a $2,000 navigation system, which is easier to use than most such systems. There's plenty of versatility here. The second- and third-row seats split and fold into the floor to provide an impressive 82 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the third seat is best left to kids, and cargo space is modest with all seats in their normal positions.

A 3.5-liter V-6 works with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission that lets the engine loaf at 1,800 rpm at 65 mph. The 240-horsepower V-6 lets the MDX scoot to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds and provide a comfortable 65-75 mph passing time. But the 4,328-pound MDX is rather heavy for a mid-size sport-ute, thanks partly to all that equipment. So fuel economy is only an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway with recommended premium fuel.

The carlike MDX is fun to drive. Steering is sharp, and it provides good handling with its big 17-inch wheels, wide track, low center of gravity and fully independent suspension. The ride is firm, but supple. Thankfully, the brake pedal in my test MDX no longer had the touchy feel of the one in the MDX I tested last year. There's room for four tall adults in the roomy, nicely designed interior. And rear passengers get separate heating and cooling equipment, thanks to what Acura calls the world's first synchronized climate control system. The refined MDX offers driving pleasure, luxury, convenience and competence, along with the upscale Acura nameplate.

CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT

Price
$49,245
Likes
Distinctive. Powerful. Roomy. Smooth ride. All-wheel drive.
Dislikes
Average handling. Low fuel economy. Awfully big and heavy.

ACURA MDX

Prices
$34,700-$39,300
Likes
Carlike. Handsome. Well equipped. Spacious. Refined. All-wheel drive.
Dislikes
Marginal fuel economy. Third seat just for kids. Modest cargo space with third seat in place.