Auto review: 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV is brash, confident

It took nerve for Cadillac to paste its wreath and crest on the front of the GMC Yukon Denali and charge a premium for it. Somehow, the rich and famous swooned over the glammed-up truck and bought them in droves.

A second generation debuted for 2002 with edgy styling, leather-lined interior with Bulgari gauges, and a grille the size of an August moon. Celebrities made it an icon, and the SUV's cachet wafted over Cadillac's cars.

A truck had saved Cadillac and set a new standard for luxury SUVs.

Ready for its fourth generation, Escalade is bigger, bolder and badder than ever.

If you want to slip into a restaurant unnoticed, buy something else. The grille is a wall of chrome planks and sculpted slats that shall not be mistaken for anything other than the leading salvo of a Cadillac. The bastion of chrome is flanked by sleek LED headlamps that flow into the upper fenders.

The side profile looks sleeker and more upscale with chiseled flanks, chrome outlines of the front windows and 22-inch alloys. Around back, I go weak for the bumper-to-roof LED taillamps that leave no question — day or night — that you were passed by a Cadillac.

The thing is huge, weighing 6,040 pounds. But somehow, much of the ample length avoids the rear passenger cabin. There's enough room, but the extra inches go for cargo with power-fold seats. Cadillac could really stick it to the long-wheel base Range Rover if it tried. It needs to try.

Some of those pillow-soft wrap-adjustable headrests would also be divine. And, what about some soft calfskin leather on the steering wheel? Details matter.

Still, riding inside is an elevated experience. Cut-and-sew leather and suede covers virtually every surface that isn't planked with authentic wood.

Escalade adopts Cadillac's CUE infotainment system with haptic-sense touchscreen, navigation, USB, Bluetooth and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The instrument cluster has been updated to GM's reconfigurable flatscreen.

Bose's 16-speaker Cabin Surround Sound system with noise cancellation technology, reconfigurable heads-up display, push-button starting and adjustable pedals make driving easier. Heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel and heated outboard rear seats also help. Power running boards and foot-activated rear hatch makes entering and exiting as easy as crossing the transom of Target.

Some criticize the Escalade for being just another big General Motors SUV. And, why is that bad? That's precisely the reason people use them to tow stuff (mini-mansions, mini-yachts, mini-barns). Escalades can do things luxury competitors can't. Beyond hauling up to eight passengers, it can tow up to 8,300 pounds (7,900 pounds as-equipped).

That is partly due to its fully-boxed high-strength steel-infused frame and substantial four-wheel disc brakes, but also to something else.

Like a 6.2-liter small block V8 that delivers 420 horsepower, 460 lb.-ft. of torque and 14/20 mpg city/highway.

It connects to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and full-time all-wheel-drive.

One assumes GM's new eight-speed automatic will arrive soon, but the six-speed is Cadillac-smooth. Wouldn't it be sweet if Cadillac went ahead and offered an Escalade Vsport with its supercharged V8 putting out north of 550 horsepower? Yeah, I think so, too.

Escalade's powertrain is robust, but 6,000 pounds is a lot to move and competitors are handily out-powering it.

But none out-handle it.

GM's Magnetic Ride Control uses a metallurgical fluid to adjust shocks between Tour and Sport modes. Ride is good in either mode, but softer Tour and stiffer Sport modes should be considered. In either mode, the system keeps busy taming those 22-inch rubber-clad steamrollers as they stomp over broken pavement.

The essence of the Escalade ESV is a Chevy Suburban dressed up in full Cadillac regalia. That's no insult. Owners get the ever-robust performance of a GM SUV with the luxury discriminating passengers expect. Nose to tail, it flashes the brash style every Cadillac should possess.

There are areas to further refine, but Escalade keeps GM's luxury brand mentioned among the most coveted SUVs. Slapping a $90,985 sticker on its window is both appropriate and confident.

Email your car questions to Casey Williams at AutoCasey@aol.com.

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Basics: Seven-passenger, AWD SUV.

Powertrain: 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, six-speed automatic transmission.

Suspension f/r: Electronic Ind./Solid axle.

Wheels: 22-inch/22-inch f/r.

Brakes: Disc/disc fr/rr.

Must-have features: Comfort, capability.

Manufacturing: Arlington, Texas.

Fuel economy: 14/20 mpg city/highway.

Base/As-tested price: $71,695/$90,985.