Cadillac is known for offering luxury vehicles such as its SUVs and sedans. But how many people know that Cadillac had a pickup? Built on the Escalade SUV platform, the Cadillac Escalade EXT was produced for about a decade until it was driven off the market in 2013 by poor sales. What exactly happened to this line of Cadillac pickups? Let’s see.
2002 to 2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT (1st generation)
Cadillac was never known for its pickup trucks, but the brand tried its hand in 1970 with a combination of a pickup and a wagon. Only 204 copies of the long-forgotten Mirage were made, so the vehicle didn’t exactly take off.
In 2001, the company surprised people by releasing another one, but this time the brand took the Escalade SUV, gave it a cargo bed and called it the Escalade EXT. It was intended to be a luxury version of the Chevrolet Avalanche, the only SUV on the market until the release of the Cadillac’s EXT model.
In addition to the truck bed, the EXT version differed from the SUV by offering 10-inch (25 cm) thick walls of the truck bed with storage compartments placed inside. The 1.5 meter high bed could grow to more than 2.5 meters long, according to AutoEvolution.
It was also powered by a 6.0-litre pushrod V8 engine producing 350 horsepower mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy at the time was 13 mpg on city roads and 17 mpg on the highway.
According to Edmund’s, the price for a brand new model was just over $49,000. Cadillac sold about 50,000 of these trucks between 2001 and 2006. Then the brand decided it was time for a change.
2007 to 2013 Escalade EXT (2nd Generation)
While the Escalade SUV was redesigned for its third generation, the EXT entered its second generation for 2007. It was built on the same chassis as the Silverado pickup. Cadillac redesigned the front end with narrower headlights and a new front fascia.
The brand has also upgraded the powertrain. You have a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 409 horsepower. Cadillac also paired it with a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. According to JD Power, the engine was configured to run on E85 fuel in 2009, and in 2010 the brand added the Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation system.
The truck offered even more luxurious interior features, such as heated and cooled front seats, a large rear seating area and accents in the combination of wood and leather throughout the cabin.
The center console was big enough to fit a small fridge for a few cold drinks. The only trim available in 2007 was the base model, which cost about $54,000.
Cadillac stops its pickup
In 2013, the Escalade EXT had three trim levels to choose from. One was the base; then you would upgrade to the Luxury and the Premium versions. It continued to be a smooth ride and offer plenty of power.
However, critics weren’t so sure that the EXT couldn’t haul as much as other pickups of its size. Plus, it’s hard to imagine people wanting to tow a lot in a luxury pickup that can actually get the interior amenities dirty or broken.
Due to its massive size, measuring 222 inches long and over 80 inches wide, this luxury truck was quite challenging to maneuver, especially in tight spots like parking lots. Another problem that got the better of me was the fact that thieves really seemed to like it because the model had a high theft rate.
With all the luxury trims offered for the traditional pickups, such as Ford’s F-150 King Ranch and Ram’s 1500 Laramie, Cadillac’s pickup couldn’t compete with the towing numbers the other trucks offered. The 2013 model was the final year for the Escalade EXT. However, there are indications that it will return sometime in the next few years.
The Cadillac Escalade EXT was the epitome of luxury, having the utility of a truck when the brand offered it. With more upmarket trim levels from rival trucks, the EXT just couldn’t keep up with the pickup market. When he comes back, he may be ready to play with the big boys and provide competitive drag capabilities.
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