2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Although a major freshening is scheduled next year, the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV receives a host of changes this year. Electric fans now help keep the engine and A/C blowing cool, and a 160-amp alternator provides additional juice for a cabin-full of electronics. A redesigned instrument cluster with chrome bezels, a more user-friendly driver information center, and an optional touch-screen navigation system keep the driver in the know. Cadillac's beast also gets additional beauty: Rip Tide Blue joins the color wheel, burl walnut replaces the former Zebrano cabin trim, a chrome exhaust tip replaces to old oval variety, interior door handles are updated and lower door trim gets a splash of carpet.

Advantages of the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV:

• Stout power from the 6.0-liter V8 engine
• Comfortable seating front and rear
• High-amperage alternator for powering plasma TVs
• Huge amount of cargo space
• Pop-culture icon status

Objections to the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV:

• Awful fuel economy
• Sometimes haphazard build quality
• Third-row seats do not fold flat into the floor
• Lacks serious off-road capability

Editor's Advice:
The 2004 Cadillac ESV is the largest, most luxurious SUV you can buy, especially the tricked-out Platinum Edition. Fuel economy is terrible, build quality sometimes haphazard, and forget about doing any serious off-roading – with no low range transfer case, the toughest trails this SUV should see are those to the local mall. If you can live with these few detriments to ownership, the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV is an excellent choice.