2012 Cadillac Escalade EXT

A Cadillac pickup may seem like heresy to many of the Caddy faithful, but the wreath-and-crest brand was one of the first luxury marques to expand into the profitable SUV and truck segments. The EXT, which is essentially a high-end Chevrolet Avalanche, is available with the same luxury amenities as the Escalade and Escalade ESV sport-utilities. Those amenities include a high-grade interior, state-of-the-art Bose 5.1 digital surround sound, and a touch-screen navigation system. The Escalade EXT uses the same six-speed automatic transmission and rumbling 403-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 that's found in its SUV siblings. But the EXT borrows from its Chevrolet sibling. Look behind the seats, and you'll find a pickup bed and the same Midgate system used in the Avalanche. When the rear seats are folded, the Midgate panel can be extended into the cabin, converting the EXT from a five-passenger vehicle to a two-seater and expanding the pickup bed from five feet to eight feet. A tonneau cover protects the external bed from the elements; alternatively, it can be removed for extra storage space. A power-operated soft cover is a dealer-installed option.