How the second-gen Escalade saved Cadillac
Twenty years after its release, it’s safe to say that the second-generation Cadillac Escalade is an American icon. He was featured in nearly every rap video and episode of MTV Cribs around the turn of the millennium, thanks to Escalade’s pimp appeal. The Escalade name is associated with the class and if it weren’t for the second generation model from 2002 to 2006, the full-size luxury SUV might not exist today.
Not only that, Cadillac could have slept with the fish with the other General Motors brands that weren’t so lucky when the recession hit. But thanks to Tony Soprano and the hundreds of other celebrities who purchased a second-generation Escalade, the beloved full-size SUV is still thriving today. These days, the Escalade can be optional for over $100,000. The Escalade V comes with over 680 hp and features an endless amount of modern technology.
However, you can’t talk about the Escalade today without going back to the SUV that started it all. The second-generation Escalade can be found today for less than $10,000 in good condition; a fraction of what a new one would cost. With gas prices at an all-time high, affordable Escalades are starting to appear.
Now is a great time to get your hands on one, as the second-gen Escalade is teetering on the brink in value.
Second-generation Cadillac Escalade: the epitome of luxury
The Escalade has been around since the late 90s with its first generation model appearing as a renamed Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon. But the Escalade that created the class of full-size luxury SUVs we all know today was the second-generation model. For the 2002 model year, Cadillac redesigned the Escalade, differentiating it from other full-size SUVs in GM’s lineup. In 2003, the Escalade’s interior received a facelift, exuding more luxury, with its Bulgari clock and burl wood interior.
You didn’t just drive the Escalade, you glided and floated while sitting in the softest, most comfortable seats in the automotive industry. The standard ten-speaker Bose “Acoustimass” system pumps orchestra-like sound into an already quiet cabin. Road Sensing or RSS suspension provides a smooth ride thanks to a rear air compressor that helps the shocks make adjustments on the fly; improve ride quality. TFL YouTuber Tommy described the second-generation Escalade as “one of the best driving SUVs, probably in history.”
Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist was pioneered technology in the 2000s. Like parking sensors today, the Escalade has a monitor on the rear passenger pillar that lights up from amber to red when the vehicle approaches an object. Chrome wheels, running boards and a roof rack added to its bold appearance. But what made the Escalade even more special was its aftermarket support that allowed for ownership customization.
The Escalade’s GMT 800 platform was a star attraction
The second-generation Escalade shares its platform with other GM SUVs and pickup trucks like the Chevy Silverado, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon. The platform is one of GM’s most ornate, and it shows by the number of SUVs and pickups from that era that you still see on the roads today. But none had the same broad appeal as the Escalade. Cadillac’s full-size luxury SUV was popular among celebrities, gangsters and soccer moms.
From 2002 to 2006, the second generation Cadillac produced over 300,000 units; more than any Escalade that followed it. Two other Escalade variants were available, the extended version known as ESV and the pickup version known as EXT. The body-on-frame Escalade featured four-wheel independent suspension and a Stabilitrak to improve steering in adverse conditions. With all-wheel drive and a solid rear axle with a towing capacity of over 8,000 lbs, the Escalade was more than just a family SUV.
Cadillac’s Vortec LQ9 6.0 engine in the second-generation Escalade
YouTube enthusiast Tyler Hoover once called the Vortec 6.0-liter V8 “an unbreakable engine.” He even went so far as to say it was “one of the greatest engines of all time”. With its class-leading 345 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, it was the most powerful engine you could go for in an SUV. The LQ9 6.0 was an upgrade from the Escalade’s standard 5.3L V8, which you had to upgrade to the 6.0 if you wanted AWD.
The LQ9 is sought after due to its rock-solid reliability as well as its plug and play swap capability. Its cast iron block with aluminum flathead pistons contributed to a higher compression ratio of 10:1. The LS-series based motor came with a floating wrist pin connecting significantly sturdier rods.
All of these factors have contributed to the popularity of the LQ9 as it can handle more horsepower for those looking to modify their engine. After the LQ9, GM began to focus on more fuel-efficient powertrains with cylinder deactivation. These engines were more complicated and less reliable. As a result, the Escalades that followed the second generation never sold as well.
Second-generation Escalade: The vehicle that saved Cadillac
In the early 2000s, Cadillac’s brand image began to lose its appeal. The automaker known for its elegance and extravagant styling no longer had the appeal it once had. Top Gear star Richard Hammond explained that “In America the Cadillac brand has been dying on its feet for years.” He was referring to Cadillac owners being largely retirees or geriatric care patients. The second-generation Escalade once again chilled Cadillac.
The Escalade brought charisma back to the Cadillac brand. He has rediscovered the image he was once known for, with his garish tail fins, bright colors and big trunks perfect for Italian gangsters. The second-generation Escalade was the perfect automobile for those looking to show off and flaunt their wealth. Whether you were rolling down the boulevard with your “Entourage” or kidnapping bad Doug in “The Hangover,” the Escalade was the perfect car to do it.
Source: Media.cadillac.com