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QUALITY | 9 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
the third row, which does not fold flat into the floor the way it does in just about every other SUV on the market
Motor Trend
Escalades have big-rig space on wide, comfortable seats,
Consumer Guide
The vastness is enough to swallow a decent-size sofa, provided you have the muscle to fold and remove the heavy third-row seats
Car and Driver
the third-row seats are sort of low to the ground and best suited for smaller people
Cars.com
Whether in the first or second row, seats are generously sized and supportive, with enough comfort for all-day trips. Larger passengers will welcome the Escalade's abundant elbow and shoulder room. Throughout the Escalade model line, the second row is barely a downgrade from the front, and in the ESV, the third row is spacious enough, though getting back there can be difficult. In some trims, the second row includes a power-release feature that makes getting to the third row quite a bit easier. But there's one big if you often need to reconfigure for varied ratios of passengers and cargo, the Escalade can be a bear due to its third-row seats that need to be removed and stored, not folded.
The high driving position is a refreshing departure from many newer, somewhat claustrophobic and high-shouldered crossover designs, and the Escalade's instument panel sits low and is attractive and carlike.
Ride comfort across the Escalade lineup is good, but it's noticeably better when the going gets tough—whether that be the road surface, curvy highways, or a full load—in versions with the Magnetic Ride Control system. The Escalade's interior is already one of the best-hushed of the large SUVs, though you do hear the engine a bit too much for some tastes. For 2011, GM adds to the Cadillac Escalade's already excellent noise insulation, adding a laminated front windshield and front side glass, new weatherstripping, and a new outside mirror design.
Conclusion
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade isn't the most refined luxury ute, but its lavish interior and comfortable ride are top-notch.
