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2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT Quality Review

March 13, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the rear window and the bed cover also can remain in place with the Midgate folded to create a huge enclosed trunk
Forbes Autos

the absence of a telescopic or power-adjustable steering column [is] surprising at this price level
Consumer Guide

handsome cabin, excellent ergonomics, comfortable seats
Edmunds

interior is luxury-plush, surprisingly quiet and raises the luxury and refinement bars another couple of notches
Kelley Blue Book

Editors at TheCarConnection.com note that what really sets the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT apart from the crowd is its unique folding Midgate. Unfortunately, this nifty feature has its quirks.

Consumer Guide states that Cadillac Escalade EXT's 2009 edition has "big-rig space on wide, comfortable seats, though the tallest drivers may want more headroom and legroom." This is fine for the vast majority of folks, but in order to fold down the Midgate and utilize the full length of the pickup bed, the front seats must be moved forward slightly, which diminishes front seat legroom further. Cars.com simply reports that "two rows of seats accommodate five occupants."

Consumer Guide warns that the Escalade EXT "is a tall truck, so some climbing is needed to get in." On the plus side, the reviewer also states that "power-adjustable pedals are standard." Unfortunately, "the absence of a telescopic or power-adjustable steering column [is] surprising at this price level."

What makes Cadillac's 2009 EXT version of the Escalade special is the Midgate, and it affords the owner many possibilities when it comes to increasing usable cargo space. Forbes Autos reports that "the rear window and the bed cover also can remain in place with the Midgate folded to create a huge enclosed trunk, perfect for protecting long, flat objects from the elements." Consumer Guide notes that, with the rear seats in the "up" position, the hard tonneau and locking tailgate make the pickup bed "essentially a deep, 40-cubic-foot trunk." Cars.com points out that folding the Midgate down and the rear seats forward gives the Cadillac Escalade EXT 2009 model a very useful "54.3 cubic feet of cargo space."

Materials quality in the 2009 Escalade EXT is good overall. Forbes Autos reports that the Cadillac Escalade EXT 2009 "feels more luxurious thanks to higher-quality materials." Consumer Guide, however, notes that "a few plastic pieces disappoint at these prices." Edmunds walks both sides of the fence. The reviewer explains that the 2009 Escalade EXT's "five-passenger cabin has an elegant, upscale ambiance thanks to the use of finely stitched leather and accents of wood and metal. Most surfaces are of the soft-touch variety, though a few cheap plastic trim pieces can still be found."

Conclusion

Relative to full-size pickups, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT really shines in terms of build quality and comfort, though its role as transformer isn’t perfect.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:the rear window and the bed cover also can remain in place with the Midgate folded to create a huge enclosed trunk Forbes Autosthe absence of a telescopic or power-adjustable steering column [is] surprising at this price levelConsumer Guidehandsome cabin, excellent ergonomics, comfortable seatsEdmundsinterior is luxury-plush, surprisingly quiet and raises the luxury and refinement bars another couple of notchesKelley Blue Book Editors at TheCarConnection.com note that what really sets the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT apart from the crowd is its unique folding Midgate. Unfortunately, this nifty feature has its quirks. Consumer Guide states that Cadillac Escalade EXT's 2009 edition has "big-rig space on wide, comfortable seats, though the tallest drivers may want more headroom and legroom." This is fine for the vast majority of folks, but in order to fold down the Midgate and utilize the full length of the pickup bed, the front seats must be moved forward slightly, which diminishes front seat legroom further. Cars.com simply reports that "two rows of seats accommodate five occupants." Consumer Guide warns that the Escalade EXT "is a tall truck, so some climbing is needed to get in." On the plus side, the reviewer also states that "power-adjustable pedals are standard." Unfortunately, "the absence of a telescopic or power-adjustable steering column [is] surprising at this price level." What makes Cadillac's 2009 EXT version of the Escalade special is the Midgate, and it affords the owner many possibilities when it comes to increasing usable cargo space. Forbes Autos reports that "the rear window and the bed cover also can remain in place with the Midgate folded to create a huge enclosed trunk, perfect for protecting long, flat objects from the elements." Consumer Guide notes that, with the rear seats in the "up" position, the hard tonneau and locking tailgate make the pickup bed "essentially a deep, 40-cubic-foot trunk." Cars.com points out that folding the Midgate down and the rear seats forward gives the Cadillac Escalade EXT 2009 model a very useful "54.3 cubic feet of cargo space." Materials quality in the 2009 Escalade EXT is good overall. Forbes Autos reports that the Cadillac Escalade EXT 2009 "feels more luxurious thanks to higher-quality materials." Consumer Guide, however, notes that "a few plastic pieces disappoint at these prices." Edmunds walks both sides of the fence. The reviewer explains that the 2009 Escalade EXT's "five-passenger cabin has an elegant, upscale ambiance thanks to the use of finely stitched leather and accents of wood and metal. Most surfaces are of the soft-touch variety, though a few cheap plastic trim pieces can still be found." ConclusionRelative to full-size pickups, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT really shines in terms of build quality and comfort, though its role as transformer isn’t perfect. 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT STYLING [8 out of 10] Forbes Autos: "a large and imposing-looking vehicle" Kelley Blue Book: "leather covers the seats, doors, steering wheel and center console" Edmunds: "the ultimate niche vehicle" Cars.com: "a more angular face that closely mimics the rest ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT remains in a class of its own—there are no direct competitors; its closest rival was the Lincoln Mark LT, a luxurious, dressed-up version of the Ford F-150, but that was discontinued after 2007 due to lack of interest. Of course the EXT’s sibling, the Chevrolet Avalanche, offers a similar overall package, with the same Midgate setup as the Cadillac, but the performance of its 5.3-liter V-8 isn't nearly as awe-inspiring. Interestingly, the only other challenger that brings a similar mix of truck ability, SUV capability, and over-the-top styling is another GM product, the Hummer H3T. Although it doesn’t provide many of the comforts and luxuries that the EXT includes—or arguably even as much pickup-bed convenience—the H3T does include Hummer’s unmistakable street presence.

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See the Cadillac Escalade EXT in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

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