I don't post as much on Prime as most of you do but I do lurk around numerous times daily. Reason for the about statement is that I've done a search on this topic and have read more than 10 threads regarding your point of views towards the Cadillac Escalade. Surprisingly, a lot of you don't like the SUV.
I've been looking around for an SUV for a while now. From low budget ones like Scion xB, Honda Element to higher budgets H2, Range Rover, Escalade and Porsche Cayenne. I've test drove all of the above except for the xB and came to a conclusion of what I want, that is, a comfortable luxurious ride. In terms of class and build quality, I like the Escalade the best. When I said "class" I didn't mean it to be judged by only the price tag. We all know the Porsche badge is like an above-all and the Range Rover reputation. However, they both seem to lack the classiness of a Cadillac. Personally, I didn't like Amercian cars or even consider buying one until recently. It's becoming more and more clear to me why a lot of rich men prefer the American luxury rides over European. For example, Bvlgari's garage consists of tons of Buicks but no Ferraris nor Lamboghinis in sight.
Back to my impressions on the competitors on my list. The H2 is a great SUV, it handles and corners a lot better than I expected. Moreover, it's not hard at all to get used to the width of the vehicle, just a couple minutes of driving and I could cut through traffic at ease. My biggest complaint to the H2 is the interior, for a 50+k car, they could do a lot better than plastic. The seats are nice and comfortable but it's too comfortable IMO that I don't feel much support. The leather used isn't stiff enough. The one I test drove only had 300 miles on it and the seats were already deformed and shaped into the people who were driving it.
For the Range Rover, everything's great. I like the styling of it a lot which some of you don't. The only down side is the experience at the dealership. *side-story* The salesman is just a complete dick, rude and pushy. First, he asked which vehicle I'm interested in. I told him the Range Rover and he asked again if it was the Free Lander or the Land Rover I'm looking for. No, I told him, it's the Range that I like and he immediately asked if I've looked at the windows sticker. I was like WTF (of course I didn't say it out) and told him, well yeah, 73k, so? I drive 2 cars and I bought them right off without financing either. He asked which two and I told him the Mini and the X. He was like, the NSX? They still make them? At that point, I was already walking out of the dealership. I don't like to do business with ignorant, two faced salesmen. Just because I look young and wasn't dressed well, the prejudgemental POS immediately thought I couldn't afford one? Go figure. *side-story ends* Back to the car, it IS really nice but it's just too similar to the X5 for obvious reasons. The pros of BMW driving experience also makes itself a con. They are known for precision handling, not for comfort.
The Porsche Cayenne is no different. Don't get me wrong, the salesmen are great mainly because I bought a couple cars from them before. Even so, the first time I walked into the dealership, I didn't get the condescending looks from them at all. The Cayenne is okay IMHO. It's not comfortable at all. I understand it's a breakthough to have an SUV to do mid 5s for 0-60 but that's not what I want.
The Escalade's performance is no Cayenne and the handling is not crisp like the Bimmers. However, in overall comfort, I feel just right. There's this classiness in American cars that you can't find else where. On the other hand, whether some people would disagree, the Escalade is quite a trendy and fashionable car (after some make-overs) just like the H2. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I give the Caddy a big thumbs up.
I've been looking around for an SUV for a while now. From low budget ones like Scion xB, Honda Element to higher budgets H2, Range Rover, Escalade and Porsche Cayenne. I've test drove all of the above except for the xB and came to a conclusion of what I want, that is, a comfortable luxurious ride. In terms of class and build quality, I like the Escalade the best. When I said "class" I didn't mean it to be judged by only the price tag. We all know the Porsche badge is like an above-all and the Range Rover reputation. However, they both seem to lack the classiness of a Cadillac. Personally, I didn't like Amercian cars or even consider buying one until recently. It's becoming more and more clear to me why a lot of rich men prefer the American luxury rides over European. For example, Bvlgari's garage consists of tons of Buicks but no Ferraris nor Lamboghinis in sight.
Back to my impressions on the competitors on my list. The H2 is a great SUV, it handles and corners a lot better than I expected. Moreover, it's not hard at all to get used to the width of the vehicle, just a couple minutes of driving and I could cut through traffic at ease. My biggest complaint to the H2 is the interior, for a 50+k car, they could do a lot better than plastic. The seats are nice and comfortable but it's too comfortable IMO that I don't feel much support. The leather used isn't stiff enough. The one I test drove only had 300 miles on it and the seats were already deformed and shaped into the people who were driving it.
For the Range Rover, everything's great. I like the styling of it a lot which some of you don't. The only down side is the experience at the dealership. *side-story* The salesman is just a complete dick, rude and pushy. First, he asked which vehicle I'm interested in. I told him the Range Rover and he asked again if it was the Free Lander or the Land Rover I'm looking for. No, I told him, it's the Range that I like and he immediately asked if I've looked at the windows sticker. I was like WTF (of course I didn't say it out) and told him, well yeah, 73k, so? I drive 2 cars and I bought them right off without financing either. He asked which two and I told him the Mini and the X. He was like, the NSX? They still make them? At that point, I was already walking out of the dealership. I don't like to do business with ignorant, two faced salesmen. Just because I look young and wasn't dressed well, the prejudgemental POS immediately thought I couldn't afford one? Go figure. *side-story ends* Back to the car, it IS really nice but it's just too similar to the X5 for obvious reasons. The pros of BMW driving experience also makes itself a con. They are known for precision handling, not for comfort.
The Porsche Cayenne is no different. Don't get me wrong, the salesmen are great mainly because I bought a couple cars from them before. Even so, the first time I walked into the dealership, I didn't get the condescending looks from them at all. The Cayenne is okay IMHO. It's not comfortable at all. I understand it's a breakthough to have an SUV to do mid 5s for 0-60 but that's not what I want.
The Escalade's performance is no Cayenne and the handling is not crisp like the Bimmers. However, in overall comfort, I feel just right. There's this classiness in American cars that you can't find else where. On the other hand, whether some people would disagree, the Escalade is quite a trendy and fashionable car (after some make-overs) just like the H2. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I give the Caddy a big thumbs up.
That was simply mine.
But I needed 7 "adult" seating positions. So I got a 2WD 'Burb. Notice I didn't get the Yukon or Denali or Escalade.
