2016 Cadillac Escalade
We are on to Car #3 in our search for Mom’s Perfect Car! Yes, I know there is no such thing as a “perfect” car, but I really want to do my research and find the perfect car that will fit my family. Lucky for us, GM is on board with our search and has been kind enough to let us test drive a few of their vehicles that fit my criteria. Read on to learn more……
Minivans and moms go hand in hand, right? Especially if you have more than 2 kids, a minivan is just so convenient. And we were there. Trust me, there is nothing better than automatic sliding doors when you have a newborn.
We ran our mini into the ground – between soccer practices (yes, we OWN that cliche’), school carpools and even a 3 week road trip (our little Honda Odyssey took us all the way to California and back!), we loved our minivan.
But once the kids got older, I was ready to move on. And that I did. Empowered to get a new SUV, I bought a used GMC Hybrid Yukon at the first car lot I went to. Some say it was an impulsive move (hubby) some say it was a bold negotiation (me). Regardless, I love my Yukon. However, it’s a 2008 and doesn’t have many of the safety, navigation, and other features that newer cars have. Plus, if I can be honest, as much as I LOVE the gas milage I get with a hybrid vehicle, we hit a big snag this summer when it needed to get repaired (like 9 week snag – not going there….).
So this mom is ready to make a purchase for a new vehicle and I want to really take my time in deciding what our next family vehicle is. Let’s call it a hunt for #MomsPerfectCar
Qualifications for #MomsPerfectCar
Everyone wants something different in a vehicle. I posed the question on Facebook a few weeks ago and had many responses – everything from good gas milage to a good color. But in my hunt, I have narrowed it down to these 4 things:
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”500px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Has to be an SUV or Crossover – I’m not ready to drive a car[/dropshadowbox]
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”500px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]A 3rd row with room for my long-legged teenagers to sit comfortably.[/dropshadowbox]
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”500px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Navigation/Entertainment/Hands-Free Phone System[/dropshadowbox]
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”500px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Safety Features[/dropshadowbox]
Not too much to ask, right? In fact, most of the SUVs these days have all of these features, it’s the right fit for my family that is going to matter most in my decision.
2016 Cadillac Escalade
Oh dear – when the Cadillac Escalade pulled into my driveway, I knew I was going to be in trouble. I mean just look at how pretty this vehicle is. YES! I DO think an SUV is pretty!! This guy was sleek and big and had this beautiful white cream color that seemed to sparkle a bit in the sun. This SUV is powerful-looking and it knows it.
Beyond looks (yes, I did actually look beyond that…), the Cadillac Escalade was a smooth, comfortable ride. With a 6.2L V8 engine, it has some speed to it as well. As high-performng as this vehicle is, it starts up relatively quietly and drives like a car. Yep, I was in love within the first 15 minutes I was behind the wheel.
So beyond getting star-struck at first sight, how well did it perform in my qualifications?
Qualification #1: Has to be an SUV or Crossover
Yes, the Cadillac Escalade is classified as a Sport-Utility Vehicle.
Qualification #2: 3rd row with room for my long-legged teenagers
Yes, the Cadillac Escalade has a 3rd row. And our family fit inside quite nicely. In fact, of the 3 cars we have tried so far (Acadia, Enclave & this one), the Cadillac Escalade felt to be the roomiest. My teens both felt like they had more head and hip room than in the other two cars. The third row was only 24.80 inches in leg room, but because of all the room to stretch their arms and not have to crouch down to get to the 3rd room, my kids felt like this was the roomiest SUV so far. In fact, I had a car full of 14 & 15 year olds to drive to our Homecoming game and everyone fit nicely.
2nd Row Captains Chairs & 3rd Row in the Cadillac Escalade
Qualification #3: Navigation/Entertainment/Hands-Free Phone System
I had read all about the Cadillac CUE before I received the Cadillac Escalade and it was a good as they advertise it. We are all used to touch screens with our phones, the Cue is intuitive and easy to use. Everything is manipulatable with your fingers – zoom into a map, check the weather, change the radio and even turn the massaging seats on – YES! I said massaging seats!!!!
Of all the vehicles I have tried so far, the CUE recognized my voice the best when asking to dial my phone or change the radio. The more I can ask it to do, the more I can concentrate on the road and not be messing with the info system.
Qualification #4: Safety Features
The Cadillac Escalade is a big vehicle and you feel very heavy yet durable on the road. It’s safety features are similar to the other GM vehicles I have driven, but are worth pointing out:
- Surround Vision – provides you with a birds-eye view of the vehicle and the areas surrounding it
- Safety Alert Seat – sends pulses through the seat to alert you to a variety of potential hazards.
- Standard side blind zone alert – Great for changing lanes.
- Standard forward collision alert – Lets you know when you are approaching a vehicle ahead of you too quickly.
- Standard lane departure warning – Alerts you when you are crossing into another lane. It can become a lot and you start to tune this on out, but it would be useful on long trips. You can turn this feature on and off.
- Industry first Front Center air bag – designed to reduce the risk of injury in a side-impact or rollover situation by deploying in the space between the driver and the front-passenger.
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control system – braking control system
What did I like best on the Cadillac Escalade?
Ok, y’all, I’m not going to beat around the bush here – I absolutely loved the Cadillac Escalade. It had all the features you would want in an SUV and MORE. I’m talking wireless charging for your phone (only for Android phones), a cooler in the center console, THREE screens to watch movies (that’s 3 DIFFERENT movies at a time) and remember those massaging seats? This vehicle has luxury down pat.
Wireless phone charging in the Cadillac Escalade
I mentioned this earlier under safety, but one of my favorite features was the Surround Vision. Having the ability to see completely around the vehicle at all times was amazing. I was able to park better, back-up better and feel like I didn’t constantly have blind spots. Here’s a quick show of how it works:
With everything I could want (and more) the only thing it comes down to is budget. The 2016 Cadillac Escalade base price is $72,970.00 (the Platinum I tested is $91,950.00). Take it or leave it – I know we all have our own vehicle budgets to set – the cost was a bit higher than our family has budgeted. And as disappointing as that is for me (seriously LOVED this car) – it made me think more about what is necessary in a vehicle and what is more of a luxury. As much as I hate to I’ve up those massaging seats, I do know that they are most definitely not a necessity.
2016 Cadillac Escalade Details
Fuel Economy: 15 City / 21 Hwy / 17 Combined
Engine: 6.2L V8
Warranty: 4-year/50,000-mile1 Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty with no deductible
Price: $72,970.00
Please keep in mind, these are my opinions of the Cadillac Escalade and how the car and features work for MY family. I recognize that every family is different and will have different needs, wants, & desires for a vehicle.
Other #MomsPerfectCar Vehicle Reviews:
2015 GMC Acadia Denali
2016 Buick Enclave
2016 Cadillac SRX
Disclosure: I was provided with the 2016 Cadillac Escalade for a week to conduct this review. I was not compensated for this article. All opinions are my own.