Inspiring loyalty, even at $3 a gallon
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade had handled a touch of slick mud with ease, so I knew it could manage the wet, rocky trail through the New Hampshire woods I often use to test SUVs.
But I couldn't imagine those 22-inch glistening aluminum wheels scraping against what Robert Frost once called the ''great monolithic knees" that protrude from New England's deepest back roads. There was too much bling on this car to put up with that much banging. So that was a road not taken this time. But we did drive highways in and out of Boston, twisting and hilly back-country lanes, and dirt roads healing from spring damage.
And despite questions about how many people will stay loyal to big SUVs with gasoline prices at $3 a gallon, the Escalade has been a hit for Cadillac. Even as overall sales of SUVs have leveled off and sales for some mid-size SUVs, such as
Figuring that folks who can plunk down more than $60,000 for an SUV probably don't care if the cost to fuel it might be $1,200 higher next year, Cadillac set about to make something that is not only big but elegant and powerful.
Seven people can ride in leather-wrapped comfort. Rich woods define the dash, center control pod, in-door controls, and along the top of the center console. And while driver and front-seat passenger ride high, the dash itself sits low, affording an expansive view out of a large windshield.
The last generation of the Escalade was available with a couple of engine options, both V-8s: a 285-horsepower engine that was coupled to rear-wheel drive, and a 345-horsepower model came with the all-wheel-drive version.
The new model features a huge leap in power, with a 6.2-liter V-8 that produces 403 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of horse-trailer-tugging torque.
And yes, you see Escalades not only cruising the Hamptons or Martha's Vineyard, but also doing real duty pulling horse trailers and big boats.
Power is shipped through a six-speed automatic transmission, also new to this remake. In addition, there is a manual shift option on the column (just like the old days) that I suspect will be a useful feature for those who do heavy towing and want to do their own shifting.
While the engine was wonderfully and sonorously mighty, I found one glitch with the transmission. Whenever I was light on the gas and going uphill -- and in a couple of instances just cruising slowly into town -- it would sometimes downshift with a lurch and a clunk. Just a touch of momentary but noticeable hesitation.
Interior space, even in the third row, was quite good; the ride was velvet-smooth, even sitting high in almost three tons of car.
Prices for the Escalade begin at around $55,000 for the rear-wheel-drive model and $57,000 for the as-tested all-wheel-drive. All come with traction and stability and rollover controls, as well as side-curtain air bags for all three rows. Start slapping on goodies, such as those on the test car, and you're soon cruising to a higher price range.
We had a navigation/information screen at center dash that was linked to a nifty backup camera. It came with an audio system upgrade to the tune of $2,495. Power roll-and-tumble middle seats added $425. A sunroof tacked on another $995.
And those glistening wheels whose bling I feared to bang: $2,995.
Yes, in times of high gasoline prices and cries for petrol parsimony, the Escalade may well stand as a shining example of extravagant consumption.
But for those who don't like it, there are plenty of small, safe cars, as well as a variety of hybrid gasoline-electric rides. Americans who want to feel green can drive those back to the giant homes they heat in winter and air condition in summer, somehow feeling smugly superior.
Royal Ford can be reached at ford@globe.com. 
