What's New for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade?
Although a major freshening is scheduled next year, the 2005 Cadillac Escalade receives a host of changes this year. Electric fans now help keep the engine cool, and a 160-amp alternator provides additional juice for a cabin chock-full of electronics. A redesigned instrument cluster with chrome bezels, a more user-friendly driver information center, and an optional touch screen navigation system keep the driver in the know. Plus, the tire pressure monitor displays readings from all four corners for added safety. Cadillac's beast also gets additional beauty treatments: Rip Tide Blue joins the color wheel, burl walnut takes the place of the former Zebrano wood trim, a chrome exhaust tip replaces the old oval variety, interior door handles are updated and the lower door panels get a splash of carpet.

Advantages of the 2005 Cadillac Escalade:

• Stout power from the 6.0-liter V8 engine
• Comfortable seating front and rear
• High-amperage alternator for powering plasma TVs
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Pop-culture icon status

Objections to the 2005 Cadillac Escalade:

• Awful fuel economy
• Sometimes haphazard build quality
• Lacks serious off-road capability

Editor's Advice:
So many Cadillac Escalade owners have replaced the boring brushed aluminum wheels from the factory with phat twenty-two-inch spinners that these luxury SUVs just look silly doddering along on the stock seventeens. With the 160-amp alternator standard for 2005, adding an audio system that rivals Carnegie Hall isn't an issue. Fuel economy is terrible, build quality sometimes haphazard, and forget about doing any serious off-roading – with no low range transfer case, the toughest trails this SUV should see are those to the local mall. If you can live with these detriments to ownership, the 2005 Cadillac Escalade is an excellent choice. Just be sure to dump those standard wheels for something with a little extra bling.