Like Joe D., I also noticed the Escalade Hybrid's strange-feeling brakes. The Sierra Hybrid's brakes felt perfectly normal, but the, uh, earth-saving Caddy's felt almost like unpredictable early Toyota hybrid brakes. I also agree with DeMatio's appraisal that this is a bit of a poseur's hybrid. But I must point out that the EPA believes that this powertrain significantly improves the two-wheel-drive Escalade's fuel economy by up to 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway (12/19 mpg versus 20/21 mpg, although the gasoline-only version uses an engine with 0.2 liter more displacement).
On my 45-mile commute, though, I averaged less than 16 mpg, according to the trip computer - even more disappointing than what I got in the Sierra (which admittedly weighs less). However, as with the Sierra, the transitions between gasoline and electric power were nearly seamless, so the hybrid 'Slade drives like a normal Caddy SUV (surprisingly sporty handling included), its brakes notwithstanding.
Aside from the fancy powertrain, this Cadillac featured handy power-lowering running boards (imperative for me to climb into this monster), a comfortable and attractive cabin, sharp beige paint, and super-blingy twenty-two-inch wheels.
Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor ...next page >>