Cadillac Escalade EXT 2010

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade EXT ranks 3 out of 4 Sport Utility Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 33 published reviews and test drives of the Cadillac Escalade EXT, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Escalade EXT is the only game in town if you're looking for a luxury-brand Sport Utility Truck. But it's more expensive than other SUTs, and its bed isn't as useful as a pickup truck's.

Like the Chevy Avalanche, the Escalade EXT has a folding midgate that allows the rear seating area to double as part of the cargo bed, providing a full eight feet of hauling capacity while still allowing car-like seating when you need to carry more people than cargo. Car and Driver is blunt in their assesment of the Escalade EXT: "The Caddy tows less than the Chevy and doesn't have as much passenger space as an Escalade SUV. We don't get it."

In the end, the Escalade EXT is a niche vehicle. It appeals mainly to buyers who car about luxury above all else, but still need a little utility. The 2010 Escalade EXT's bed/midgate combo is matched with a massive V8 engine and a well-appointed, comfortable cabin with seating for up to five. In short, the Cadillac Escalade EXT is for buyers who want it all and can afford to pay for it.

However, Escalade EXT buyers will not only have to pay for all that luxury at the dealership, they'll also have to pay at the gas station: the EXT is thirsty, even for an SUT. While most reviewers like the Escalade EXT overall, they also note that there are less expensive and more capable options out there.
Other Sport Utility Trucks to Consider

Much of the same capability can be had in the Chevrolet Avalanche for less money. The Avalanche and the Escalade EXT share many components. While the Avalanche doesn't quite have the interior refinement of the Escalade, it costs about $26,000 less than the Escalade EXT.

Other SUTs, like the Honda Ridgeline, offer better fuel economy and similar performance for a much lower price.

If you need more utility, check out upper trims of full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 Platinum or the Toyota Tundra Limited. These trucks don't compromise on performance, but have the same heaping dose of luxury as the Cadillac EXT.
Details: The Cadillac Escalade EXT

The Escalade EXT was last redesigned in 2007. For 2010, not much is new. The Escalade EXT's 6.2 liter engine now has GM's active fuel management technology, which saves fuel by shutting off four of the eight cylinders when they're not needed. Also new for 2010 are standard side airbags for the driver and front passenger. Finally, a USB port in the center console is standard for 2010.

Acceleration and Power

Only a single engine is available for the nearly 6,000-pound Escalade EXT, and it's a big one: a 6.2-liter V8 that can generate 403 horsepower, plenty of low-end torque and a towing capacity of 7,600 pounds. By and large reviewers think this engine is great, but a few say that even this much power can barely keep up with the EXT's bulk. The EXT comes with a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission with a Driver Shift Control manual mode. Reviewers say the transmission performs smoothly.

For 2010, the Cadillac Escalade EXT's engine has active fuel management technology, which saves fuel by shutting down four of the engine's eight cylinders when they are not needed. The EPA has not released new fuel economy estimates for the EXT.