2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4WD L

Mechanically related to the Chevrolet Avalanche, the Cadillac Escalade EXT comes in three trim levels (base, Luxury and Premium) and one body style: a four-door crew-cab pickup. From the rear doors forward, it is essentially a standard Escalade and is equipped with the same suspension and powertrain. The latter consists of a 6.2-liter V8 (403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive., , From the rear doors back, the EXT is a pickup. A special "Midgate" system allows greater cargo capacity -- the rear seats and rear window fold down, which enables the storage of longer items. An automatic tonneau cover protects items from the elements. The EXT is also equipped with 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights and automatic suspension damping., , Inside the cabin, the EXT is all luxury, with leather upholstery, wood trim and 14-way power and heated seats. Tri-zone climate control and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with in-dash CD changer are also standard. A navigation system with touchscreen operation, real-time traffic and rearview camera is also included. Moving up through the trim levels brings even more luxury features such as a heated steering wheel, 22-inch chrome wheels, adaptive suspension, power-retracting side steps and a rear-seat entertainment system., , In road tests, we found that the Cadillac Escalade EXT offers a gratifying driving experience, especially for a large luxury truck/SUV. Given its size and mass, you'd expect some difficulty in the handling department, but the EXT's steering is light and predictable. By no means is it a nimble vehicle, but it's stable and controlled over all but extremely rough surfaces. With its big-time V8, acceleration is brisk from nearly any speed, which is remarkable for an SUV that weighs nearly 6,000 pounds. As one would expect, gas consumption is quite poor.