2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV OVERVIEW

First produced in 1999, the Cadillac Escalade was a luxury SUV created in haste as a direct response to the success of the Lincoln Navigator. When GM realized the profit to be had in a then-booming SUV market, however, it got serious with the Cadillac and introduced what is sure to be an automotive classic: the 2002 Escalade. Never before had the car-buying public seen such a large SUV that made such a pronounced style statement.

Even more stylish lines are found on the 2013 Escalade, a carryover from 2012 that continues the tradition of eye-catching design for a third generation of Cadillac's full-size SUV.

Based on a longer wheelbase that is 14 inches longer than the standard Escalade, the Escalade ESV has an overall length of 222.9 inches. The ESV's 130-inch wheelbase enhances highway ride, but also creates additional body roll in cornering.

Buyers who usually have more than four passengers should consider the benefits of the long-wheelbase ESV. Not only does it have an additional cargo volume of almost 30 cubic feet, the ESV's third row also offers an extra 9.3 inches of third-row legroom. Furthermore, longer rear doors in ESV provide easier access to the rear rows of seats.