2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Quality Review

No matter how good interior comfort and quality are, it's hard to exceed the expectations set by a $70,000-plus price tag. While the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid might not exceed expectations, it certainly doesn't disappoint.

Passengers will find quite a bit of room to stretch out inside the spacious cabin of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Automobile Magazine notes that the interior offers "standard seating for eight, although legroom for the third-row seats is compromised because batteries for the hybrid powertrain are located under the second-row seats." Cars.com seconds that opinion regarding the rear seats, claiming they are "best suited for smaller people, at least for long drives." Up front is another story entirely, as ConsumerGuide reviewers find that the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid features "big-rig space on wide, comfortable seats," while the second row offers "comfortable seats [that] furnish good headroom and legroom."

While the rear may not be the best place for full-size passengers, it definitely will hold a full-size load of cargo. Edmunds remarks that this "spacious cargo- and people hauler" offers a cargo capacity that "maxes out at a spacious 109 cubic feet," which is more than enough room for most families. However, to achieve that space you'll have to fold and stow the Hybrid Escalade's third row. Otherwise, ConsumerGuide reports that "only grocery-bag space is available behind the 3rd-row bench." Passenger-area storage is also better than average on the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, with ConsumerGuide reviewers finding "good cabin storage [that] includes a large bi-level console bin."

Although GM's interiors have received a tremendous amount of criticism regarding build and materials quality in the past, they’ve improved greatly in recent years and the Escalade is a prime example. Indeed, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com hold nothing but praise for the construction of the Cadillac Escalade's interior, with ConsumerGuide noting the "impressive assembly quality and mostly top-notch materials." Edmunds reviewers agree, reporting that $70,000 will buy you "build quality [that] is beyond reproach," as well as "materials quality [that] is excellent." Automobile Magazine simply adds to the mountain of compliments for the Hybrid Escalade, finding that "interior build quality and fit/finish on the examples we drove were excellent."

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid's exemplary build quality also helps keep interior noise to a minimum, something that the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid does better than most vehicles. Edmunds points out that the cabin's "stillness rivals that of a library reading room." Similarly, ConsumerGuide observes that "the Hybrid is nearly silent at ignition and at rest," with nothing but "a subtle electrical whirring noise" to let you know when you begin accelerating.

The only detriment to comfort in the Escalade is ride quality, which ConsumerGuide attributes to the Hybrid’s "extra weight and standard 22-inch wheels."