2010 Escalade Platinum Hybrid – Overview

Part 1 – Overview
Part 2 – Design and Technology
Part 3 – Ride and Performance

What you need to know about the 2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Platinum:

  • As tested, this rear-drive version stickers at a heart-stopping $86000+

  • The Platinum trim comes with nice cut-and-sew dash topper, door panels, and even the trim down the sides of the center console.

  • It has 3, count ‘em, 3 entertainment screens – even before you count the in-dash navigation/infotainment screen up front. There is a center drop-down screen as well as a screen in the rear of each front headrest.

  • The front console cup holders are both heated and cooled.

  • The front and second row seats are both swathed in a rich, dark-chocolate brown leather (trust us, it looks better than you might originally think).

  • The two-mode hybrid powertrain means that you not only get to play the Prius trick of driving in parking lots and in stop-and-go traffic on electric only power, but you also get a power boost to the 6.0l V-8 when at speed. It not only gives a power boost for passing, but also helps let the engine do its V-8 -> V-4 cylinder deactivation trick more often, boosting highway mileage.

  • It is rated at 21 city, 22 highway and we managed in mixed driving to get over 20mpg…not a bad trick for this size truck.

What you also need to know…some nits we pick:

  • This is based on the GMT900 Truck/SUV platform along with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban as well as the GMC Yukon.

  • The electronics and switchgear at times remind you of this sibling relationship…not a good thing when you’re bumping 90k.

  • The ‘aluminum’ trim on the dash and console as well as the steering wheel trim feels way too much like metal-ized plastic for any Cadillac worth its wreath and crest.

  • The rear-most seat has no place for legs – so you’d best think of it as small kid only territory. These seats are covered in the same color as the front two rows, but these are Cadillac’s synthetic leather.

In profile, and even from the rear quarters, the Escalade has more than a passing resemblance to its other GMT brethren. While the tail-lights, front fenders, hood, and grille all carry the creased good-looks of a Cadillac…the doors and rear quarters are shared with the rest of the line. In fact the way the creases of the front fenders simply fade away as they get the front door is a bit off-putting to our eyes.

More details in Part 2 - Design and Technology.