2006 Cadillac Escalade Review
2006 Cadillac Escalade Review





+55
Used Escalade for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Endless V8 power, plush ride quality, more nimble than you might think, comfortable seats, plenty of cargo capacity, all the latest technological gadgets.
Cons
- Poor fuel mileage, a few noticeable instances of cost-cutting.
What’s new
There are no significant changes to the 2006 Cadillac Escalade.
Edmunds says
With its brash styling, class-leading V8 power, well-sorted vehicle dynamics and plush interior, the new Escalade is an SUV worthy of the Cadillac name.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A) 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$264/mo for Escalade Base
Escalade Base
vs
$239/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Vehicle overview
When the Escalade was introduced in 1999, the Cadillac faithful were a little nervous. After all, the idea of a truck bearing the Cadillac wreath and crest just didn't seem like it had much promise. And then there was the vehicle itself -- an underpowered, over-clad behemoth that used heavy doses of leather and wood trim to conceal the fact it was nothing more than a slightly reworked Chevrolet Tahoe.
To everyone's surprise, the Escalade sold well. The public's insatiable thirst for SUVs overcame the original vehicle's initial mediocrity to make it one of the best-selling models in Cadillac's lineup. After skipping the 2001 model year, the Escalade returned in 2002 with an all-new look and significantly revised underpinnings. The results were nothing short of a home run as the Cadillac Escalade became one of the most popular full-size luxury SUVs on the market.
Its combination of bold styling and class-leading engine power made it popular with high-profile athletes and power-hungry executives alike. Although it's still based on the Chevrolet Tahoe-GMC Yukon twins, the Escalade now features enough exclusive hardware to qualify it for premium status. Upgrades like road-sensing suspension, a 345-horsepower V8 and a thundering Bose sound system rank the Escalade right up there with the best in the business when it comes to luxury SUVs. If you like 'em big, bold and chock-full of high-tech goodies, the 2006 Cadillac Escalade will certainly fill the bill.
Performance & mpg
Cadillac Escalade buyers can choose between all-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. Both versions come standard with a 6.0-liter V8 that produces 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is also standard. The maximum tow rating for AWD models is 8,100 pounds, while 2WD versions can lug up to 7,400 pounds. Acceleration is surprisingly brisk for such a large vehicle, and buyers who tow heavy trailers on a regular basis will appreciate the added muscle of the 6.0-liter V8.
Safety
All Escalade models come standard with a stability control system as well as four-wheel antilock disc brakes, side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and OnStar telematics. Other safety features include HID headlamps, a tire-pressure monitoring system and rear parking sensors. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2006 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts.
Driving
Despite its imposing size, the 2006 Cadillac Escalade handles itself admirably. Body roll is kept well under control and the continuous adjustments made by the standard Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) maintain an excellent balance between ride quality and road feel. The steering can feel a bit numb on the highway, but it lightens up nicely during low-speed maneuvers. The star of the show is the burly 6.0-liter V8, as it provides ample passing power and matches well to the four-speed automatic transmission. Just don't expect to leave a gas station without paying a pricey sum; the Escalade's EPA fuel economy rating is a dismal 13 city/17 highway.
Interior
As you would expect in a luxury SUV, the Escalade's interior features plenty of soft leather and shiny wood accents. Some of the cabin's design cues and materials are too derivative of a Chevy Tahoe, but the Cadillac still pulls off the role of a luxury vehicle. The front bucket seats feel like big lounge chairs, and well-cushioned second-row buckets are standard fare -- a bench seat for the second row is a no-cost option. There's plenty of room for four or five adults to stretch out and even the optional third-row seats are comfortable enough for shorter trips.
2006 Cadillac Escalade models
In keeping with its premium image, the seven-passenger 2006 Cadillac Escalade SUV comes in one trim level only. The standard features list is extensive, and includes items like tri-zone climate control, leather seating, an in-dash six-CD Bose audio system and satellite radio. Major options include a DVD entertainment system, a DVD-based navigation system, 20-inch chrome wheels and a second-row bench seat (instead of the standard twin buckets) to increase passenger capacity to eight.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Cadillac Escalade.
5 star(86%)
4 star(12%)
3 star(1%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
76 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
05 AWD Cadillac Escalade BEST SUV CADDY MADE 02 17
JD, 03/05/2017
2005 Cadillac Escalade AWD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
If your looking for a top notch American Quality SUV then the 05 Escalade beats them ALL hands down. Ive driven Domestic and foreign and won't let my 05 Escalade go. I can get a new 2017 but don't want it. THIS YEAR AND MODEL YOU CAN'T FIND. I HAVE DEALERS CALLING ME TO SELL AND ANSWER IS NO. I'M PUSHING 150K AND KNOCK ON WOOD NO MAJOR ISSUES JUST MAINTENANCE. IF YOU CAN FIND ONE LOADED … LIKE MINE YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. GO CADILLAC......
4.88 out of 5 stars
Cadi ESV is the best
Ed, 01/12/2010
2005 Cadillac Escalade AWD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
This is a best SUV, car and truck. I have driven ESV for 5 yrs and love it. Driven in the snow storm and full snow on the road, it feels like car hugs the road. Going up the mountain, CanWhistler, Salt City, Colorado, Lake Tahoe, it has the all the power you need and more. Driving in the city, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, it feels like your driving a car and it is has the … luxury ride. This Cadi is very reliable and I have not had any problems of any sort. Pulling a 3-5 ton trailer no problem, you can't even feel your even pulling a trailer. After 67,000 miles on the Cadi, it beats any Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes and Rover. You got to try it to believe it. I have for 5yrs.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Not sure where to go from here...
Jim in SanDiego, 01/02/2010
2005 Cadillac Escalade Rwd 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
10 years ago, my wife's dream car was the 2004 RAV4 L...Today, she now owns the 2005 White Diamond Escalade Rwd that she saw (and had to have) a successful drug dealer driving in an episode of Burn Notice. Even got comparable 22" chrome bling. It is, without question, the prettiest, beefiest, most noticeable production car on the road today, even after 10 years post-concept (first … production version was model year '02). Now the problem is, without spending $100K+ on something really highend, what do we replace it with in 5-6 years? There is nothing even up to the 2012-hopper even comparable.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Skip1000, 07/30/2004
2005 Cadillac Escalade AWD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
I put 7500 miles on it this summer when we took a
drive from California to Pennsylvania. It is a
wonderful vehicle to travel in. I also tow a jeep
wrangler with the Escalade, its easy to forget you
are towing anything.
If you are looking for an SUV and want the very
best,
by an Escalade.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2006 Cadillac Escalade, so we've included reviews for other years of the Escalade since its last redesign.
2006 Escalade Highlights
Base MSRP | $53,850 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $264/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
People who viewed this also viewed
2.6 average Rating out of 5 reviews. |
Starting at $77,635 |
3.8 average Rating out of 13 reviews. |
Starting at $57,400 |
3.6 average Rating out of 5 reviews. |
Starting at $81,800 |
Related Used 2006 Cadillac Escalade info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Volvo S90 2020 Review
- Volkswagen Tiguan 2020 Review
- Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 Review
- Volvo S60 2021 Review
- Volvo S60 2020 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2019
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2017
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2010
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2016
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2012
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2013
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2014
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2011
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2015 For Sale
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2018
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- GMC Savana Cargo 2022
- 2022 Volkswagen ID.4
- 2023 EV6
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- 2023 Convertible
- BMW X3 M 2022
- 2022 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2024 Taycan
- 2023 EQS
- 2024 7 Series
Research recent models from same make
- 2023 Cadillac CT5
- 2024 Cadillac XT6
- 2023 CT5
- Cadillac XT5 2022
- Cadillac Lyriq
- 2024 CT5
- Cadillac CT4 350T
- 2024 Cadillac XT5
- Cadillac CT4 Blackwing
- 2024 Cadillac CT5
Research similar vehicles
- Buick Envision
- Honda CR V
- Jeep Wrangler
- Tesla Model Y+
- Toyota Rav4
- Lambo Urus
- Nissan Rogue
- Kia Telluride
- Grand Highlander
- Sequoia V8
Other models
- Used Buick Cascada in Brentwood, CA
- Used Toyota Gr-Supra in Smithfield, NC
- Used Saturn L-Series in Mason City, IA
- Used Subaru Legacy in La Puente, CA
- New Jeep Renegade for Sale in Woodbury, NJ
- Used Porsche 944 in Mechanicsburg, PA
- Used Mazda B-Series-Pickup in Pickerington, OH
- Used Subaru Impreza-Wrx in Glenside, PA
- Used Lexus LX-570 in Lake Forest, CA
- New Mercedes-Benz Maybach-Gls for Sale in Yukon, OK