A pop culture icon in its own time, the Cadillac Escalade offers unmatched gravitas and presence—if that's your thing.The Cadillac Escalade is the big hoss of GM's luxury lineup. It's more than just the high-falutin' version of the Suburbans, Tahoes, and Yukons that almost rival it for luxury fittings; it's probably the most recognizable Cadillac on the road today, thanks as much to its beveled edges to its imposing stance. Available in base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum configurations, the Escalade goes from well to lavishly-equipped with the tick of a few option boxes.
Pros Imposing style Impressive technology suite Strong V-8 engine Voluminous cargo area
Cons Still a luxurious Suburban, albeit a much fancier one than before Awfully expensive, even against its rivals Is it simply too brash?
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade is unique among luxury SUVs for its large size, powerful engine and bold styling, but it comes up a bit short in terms of refinement and convenience. For 2017, the Cadillac Escalade has made minor changes to the content of its trim levels and also renamed them. New features include a teen-driver monitoring system, a rear passenger reminder (so you don't leave your kids in a hot car), an automated system for parking, and an innovative rearview mirror that incorporates a camera view.
Pros More than enough power from the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine Luxurious cabin remains pleasantly quiet in nearly any circumstance Optional second-row bench increases seating capacity to eight Impressive towing abilities that most competitors can't match.
Cons Truck-based chassis translates into a less refined ride quality High cargo floor makes loading more difficult Third-row seats are uncomfortable even for children The infotainment system can sometimes be frustrating.
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade ranks 4 out of 8 Luxury Large SUVs. In the realm of large luxury SUVs, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade is one of the biggest you can buy, with a robust V8 engine and an upscale, plush cabin. However, refinement you’ll find in the interior doesn't carry over into ride quality.
Pros Elegant, well-built cabin Muscular V8 engine Extended-wheelbase ESV expands third-row and cargo space
Cons Infotainment system can be slow and confusing Cramped third-row seat in standard configuration Ride and handling are less refined than rivals Limited cargo space behind third row in standard configuration
The 2017 Porsche Cayenne is versatile and roomy, yet it possesses road and even track performance to satisfy enthusiasts. The 2017 Cayenne brings the attitude, and many of the visual cues, of Porsche's sports cars to a very family-friendly, sport-utility format. The lineup is varied, with the naturally aspirated base model, the turbocharged S, the S E-Hybrid plug-in, the amped up GTS, the incredibly powerful Turbo, and the even loonier Turbo S.
Pros Strong acceleration (all except base) Capable handling Lots of room for individualization A potent, fun-to-drive hybrid
Cons No third-row seating Interior isn't so space-efficient Underwhelming base model
The 2017 Porsche Cayenne ranks 3 out of 22 Luxury Midsize SUVs. The Porsche Cayenne is one of the highest-rated SUVs in its class, thanks to its deft handling ability and potent available engines. The well-appointed cabin is one of the most comfortable in the class. However, the Cayenne has a high starting price that climbs much higher with the upper trims.
Pros Strong acceleration with optional engines Superior handling ability Comfortable seats Stylish, well-made interior
Cons Hefty price tag Below-average cargo capacity
The 2017 Cayenne gets Porsche's latest (PCM 4.0) touchscreen infotainment system on every trim level, improving functionality. Limited Edition Cayenne and Cayenne S E-Hybrid Platinum models also join the range, bringing the trim level count up to eight. The Cayenne Diesel has been discontinued due to the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal.
Pros Truly impressive handling for a crossover SUV Wide selection of strong engines available Exquisite interior and build quality Plenty of customization options
Cons Relatively small cargo capacity for the segment Quite a few optional features should be standard given the price tag
