New Car Overview of the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Luxury Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Luxury Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $52,865 - $69,535
Invoice Price Range: $48,371 - $63,625
Where built: USA

Cadillac's prime wagon leads the luxury class as the most powerful full-size SUV. It rides GM's full-size truck chassis and carries many mechanical weapons for road combat, along with every convenience in a leather-wrapped passenger compartment that seats seven in luxury.

The top edition, outfitted with an automatic AWD traction device, draws from an enormous 6.0-liter, V8 that makes 345-hp. Power is applied to all wheels through an AWD mechanism that's always engaged. Also automatic is the Z55 Autoride suspension with continuously-variable road-sensing damping and air-leveling shock absorbers for precise ride control. The RWD Escalade also earns the big 6.0-liter, V8, available by mid-year.

A new chrome-trimmed instrument cluster goes into all 2005 Escalade models, and the navigation system has an upgraded touch-screen. Additional color selections appear on the chart like Riptide, a teal blue metallic tint.