2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review
2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Badge prestige, ample V8 power, relaxing highway ride, sharp interior design, class-leading cargo capacity.
Cons
- Lacks a fold-flat third-row seat, lackluster braking distances, predictably poor fuel economy.
What’s new
For 2010, the Cadillac Escalade ESV loses a handful of formally standard features, such as the rain-sensing wipers and the rear park assist indicator lights. However, it also picks up a USB port for the audio system and the 6.2-liter V8 now has Active Fuel Management, which means it can shut down up to four cylinders under light-demand conditions. Lastly, a couple of new trim levels debut Luxury and Premium to fill the big gap between the base and Platinum versions.
Edmunds says
Looming and luxurious, the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV ranks as the best bet for shoppers desiring the most accommodating luxury SUV on the market.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.58 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$343/mo for Escalade ESV Base
Escalade ESV Base
vs
$261/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Vehicle overview
Take a gander at the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV and chances are you'll be either impressed or disgusted with its enormity. For folks who deem the standard, nearly 17-foot-long Escalade just too dang small, the extended-wheelbase version known as the ESV should prove more than ample. An upscale version of the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, the ESV is nearly 2 feet longer than the standard "Slade" and boasts a huge cabin that could transport a rap star, his entourage and all their cases of Cristal to a weekend party in supreme comfort.
Though it shares underpinnings with its aforementioned General Motors cousins, the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV thankfully goes beyond just having a few different badges. Proud and flashy, the Escalade ESV's styling is unmistakably Cadillac. It also has a sophisticated suspension, a unique cabin and a brawny 403-horsepower V8 that all support its standing as one of the most luxurious and capable full-size luxury SUVs you can get. That said, this year brings a minor de-contenting of the ESV's huge standard features list, as the power tilt for the nav screen, the rain-sensing wipers and the park assist indicator lights have all been dropped. In all honesty, none of these except perhaps the automatic wipers will be missed, as the park assist system still provides both a rearview camera and audible alerts. The audio system, meanwhile, picks up a USB port.
This year, the burly 6.2-liter V8 is fitted with Active Fuel Management, which means it can shut down as many as four cylinders under light-load conditions to promote slightly better fuel mileage, which may amount to 1 or 2 mpg during level freeway cruising. Still, there's no getting around the fact that this is a 6,000-pound truck with a big V8. Fuel economy is never going to be anything but poor. But in the end we suspect most Escalade ESV shoppers will be OK with that, and the overall return on interior room, towing capacity and general street presence will likely make the fuel pump sacrifices worth it.
The 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV's main rival, the Lincoln Navigator L, simply doesn't have the Escalade's power and presence, though it does have a fold-flat third-row seat -- something the Caddy lacks. When compared to other peripheral rivals, the extroverted Escalade ESV still shines brightly. The Infiniti QX56 is competent but still can't match the ESV's power rating or immense cargo capacity. The Mercedes-Benz GL450 is actually our favorite all-around luxury SUV -- it's quicker, equally comfortable and generally more rewarding to drive -- but its smaller dimensions make it better suited to compete against the standard Escalade. In short, the 2010 Cadillac ESV's combination of roominess, styling and performance is unmatched among SUVs of its size.
Performance & mpg
All 2010 Cadillac Escalades are equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 403 hp and 417 pound-feet of torque. The big V8 is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode. All-wheel-drive versions use an electronic "always on" system.
The towing capacity for the AWD model is 7,800 pounds. 2010 EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg in combined driving for the 2WD version.
Performance for such a big, heavy truck is fairly impressive, as the Escalade ESV will run the 0-60-mph sprint in the low- to mid-7-second range.
Safety
Safety equipment for the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV includes stability control with a rollover sensor, antilock disc brakes, traction control, side curtain airbags and the OnStar telematics system. Standard on all but the base trim is a blind-spot monitor to help the driver avoid a potentially dangerous lane change.
Though we haven't run instrumented tests on the ESV, the smaller Escalade's braking distances have been poor; an Escalade we tested required a longish 144 feet to come to a complete stop from 60 mph; the heavier ESV's distances will likely be a bit longer.
In government testing, the Cadillac Escalade received a top five-star rating for front- and side-impact crashworthiness.
Driving
Though it's really not meant for anything more than driving on pavement, the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV has plenty of power and torque on tap. And it handles surprisingly well, considering its massive size and weight (close to 3 tons). The adaptive suspension makes for a smooth ride, although the cushy feel is compromised somewhat by the 22-inch wheels that are standard on the upper trims. While the Escalade ESV boasts a relatively tight 39-foot turning circle, parallel parking and supermarket parking lots -- even with the rearview camera system -- require an extra level of care.
Interior
The Escalade ESV sets itself apart from its more mundane GM platform-mates with a unique interior design and tasteful touches such as alloy trim, wood inlays and other high-quality materials that exude luxury. In upper trims, a third-row entertainment screen (in addition to the second-row, pull-down screen) guarantees backseat passengers don't get short shrift when a movie is being played on a long trip.
The Escalade can accommodate seven or eight occupants, depending on the configuration of the second-row seats. A power fold-and-flip feature for the second-row seats is offered, enhancing access to the third row. Fold-flat third-row seating isn't available, however, and while removing the third-row seat's 50/50 sections manually boosts capacity, these sections are heavy and cumbersome to deal with.
At a cavernous 137 cubic feet, the ESV's maximum cargo capacity is class-leading. Even with all the seats up, there are still 46 cubes of space up for grabs.
2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV models
The 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV is a full-size luxury SUV that's available in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Premium and Platinum Edition. All can be had with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Even the so-called base Escalade ESV comes loaded with standard features, including 18-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, a power liftgate, adaptive shock absorbers and park assist (with a rearview camera). Inside, there's three-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, a power tilt steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, remote starting, Bluetooth and a navigation system with real-time traffic updates. OnStar and a 10-speaker Bose premium stereo system with satellite radio and an in-dash six-CD/DVD changer are also standard.
The Luxury adds 22-inch chromed alloy wheels, adaptive headlamps, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, power-release second-row seats and the Magnetic Ride Control suspension system, which is even more advanced than the base adaptive suspension.
The Premium adds power-retractable running boards and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with pull-down screens for both the second- and third row seats. The Platinum Edition ups the ante even further with LED headlights, unique 22-inch, multispoke chrome wheels, heated/cooled cupholders and additional DVD screens mounted behind the front headrests.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average
#15 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV from 2008-2022.$851/yr
vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.65x/yr
vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).24.4%
vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV.
5 star(60%)
4 star(26%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(2%)
53 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
A Great Luxury SUV
KMGHMG, 08/14/2010
2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
I couldn't be more pleased with my 2007 Escalade ESV. I can't believe all the negative reviews. I have to think they're not all legit. It's very quiet, the ride is great, the interior and exterior are beautiful, it's solidly built, and it's very safe. We were just rear-ended by an F150 and all we had was a scratch on the rear bumper the size of my thumb. The F150 had $3,000+ damage. … We took a 3,500 mile road trip this summer from TX to the Rockies, and I assure you there is no finer road-trip machine. 17 mpg hwy. We've had one minor problem, which was a seal on the transfer case (under $100), and it has been back to the dealer for repair ONCE since new. This is 100% fact.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Escalade ESV Defies its Size!
Anthony, 09/04/2006
2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
This truck is truly amazing and rides and handles as though it is substantially smaller. The perfomrance is fantastic and the fit and finish are top notch. I have the White Diamond with the Ebony interior. When comparing this truck to the European and Asian large SUV's the ESV wins on space and comfort. Besides, the rumble of the V8 engine sounds like my '71 Vette. The NAV system and … the entertainment system are great along with the rear camera. Air conditioned seats are a feature I thought I never needed and now wonder on those hot summer days how we did without. Its gas mileage isnt to bad for its size. Remember it weighs close to 3 tons so 14 mpg's ain't too shabby. I have gotten over 17 on the highway.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Very Nice
johnh4260, 06/16/2011
2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
A very nice luxury SUV. We bought it for the internal size and features of the Platinum package. In this regard, we're very satisfied.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Very Happy
Torque, 12/06/2006
2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
After coming out of a '03 Navigator I believe Caddy stepped up to the plate. I test drove the '07 Naviagator and Expedition. The Escalade ESV is a superior vehicle. 103hp is considerable. The exterior styling is very well executed.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV, so we've included reviews for other years of the Escalade ESV since its last redesign.
2010 Escalade ESV Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $65,100 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $343/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 45.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Escalade ESV include:
- Back-up camera
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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