1999 Cadillac Escalade - Page 1 Review

Shopping for a 1999 Cadillac Escalade? MSRP: $46,225

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AUSTIN, Texas - I asked each of the last three Cadillac general managers about their SUV plans and was told in no uncertain terms that Cadillac buyers did not buy trucks. Then the Lincoln dealers started puffing their chests out at country clubs and bragging about Navigator profits. Suddenly the plush Denali model, which GMC's brass had fought so hard to obtain, was regrilled and rebadged into a Cadillac.

For years now, GMC has been treated as the poor stepsister among the GM divisions. Relegated to a service function, it was used to provide GM's car divisions with a dealership partner that could round out a car division's product line. Of the thousands of GMC dealers, only a handful are stand-alone stores. Nearly all are partnered with another division and fighting for showroom space. And now that GMC has been merged with Pontiac, all GMC franchises will be coupled with that car line.

Cadillac derails the Denali

Escalade takes the GMC Yukon to a new level, however, using the now-accepted practice of taking a proven product, packing all the top-line features such as standard offerings, and then wrapping them inside a distinctive exterior.

When the smaller sport-utilities began going to four doors, everyone asked when the big critters (other than Suburban) would get the extra access. Probably the success of the compact trucks held the development back, but GM responded first with its GMC Yukon and the Chevy Tahoe.

Planners have equipped the four-door Escalade with all the luxury bits from the GMC parts bins and added unique sheet metal and cladding, especially on the front end. The bold oval front opening contains the traditional egg-crate grille and the readily recognizable wreath and crest badge. Add tough touches like hefty tow hooks, and the Escalade becomes quite purposeful-looking.

Aerodynamic running boards and roof racks are standard, and six-spoke chrome wheels carry on another Cadillac tradition. Uniquely designed Nuance leather seats with perforated inserts differentiate the interior from those of lesser GMC products. The rear seat contains independent audio controls, allowing front and rear passengers to satisfy their divergent listening habits.