2015 Cadillac Escalade

PREVIEW

We admit it: We've wondered whether the Escalade deserves to stick around. Most of the top-end luxury SUVs long ago ditched their pickup roots for the bones of cushier, compliant unibody platforms, yet the Escalade continued atop its working-class Suburban frame. Nor did it do anything special that other luxury tanks didn't, except maybe show more composure during hip-hop video shoots. But new design touches and a vastly upgraded cabin help make the 2015 Cadillac Escalade a standout in the class that it once defined.

The new Escalade still rides on traditional body-on-frame architecture, and though luxury snobs might dismiss the idea, owners of weekend toys will not. The base rear-wheel-drive Escalade, properly equipped, can tow up to 8,200 pounds (the all-wheel-drive Escalade is rated for 8,000 pounds). The Escalade also carries over a 6.2-liter V8, but this one comes from GM's latest generation of direct-injection engines, with output increased to 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

But the Escalade's interior design and materials are unquestionably its centerpiece upgrades. Previously little better than the Suburban/Yukon twins, the cabin of the 2015 Escalade features a wealth of perforated leather, prominent stitching and genuine wood, while wrapped and tiered surfaces demonstrate a level of detail and build quality absent in previous generations.

The dash and instrument panel are anchored by the flashy -- and frustrating -- CUE multimedia system and its 8-inch touchscreen interface, but it's the larger 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and "driver information center" that really impresses with sharp, high-definition colors and graphics.

The second row is available with captain's chairs or a bench seat (for eight-passenger capability), and for 2015 the Escalade finally gets a fold-down third-row seat. The bad news is that it doesn't fold completely flat and its versatility eats into cargo capacity. The new Escalade drops nearly 15 cubic feet of capacity, but still delivers 94 cubes. The good news is that you no longer need to call a neighbor to help remove and stow the third row when it's not needed.

The only people who may not fully appreciate the Escalade's new cabin are rear seat passengers. The new model is fractionally longer and wider, about 1.5 inches in both directions, which nets the driver and front seat passenger an additional 4 inches of legroom. Riders in the third row, however, lose almost an inch of room to stretch out (ESV models fare better). Headroom in both rows is also down as much as a half-inch depending on model.

Changes to the sheet metal aren't as dramatic as changes inside, but the Escalade still cuts a dashing figure from the curb. Both the front and rear ends use steeply stacked vertical layouts for the standard LED headlights and taillights, and Cadillac's current grille design is presented in its largest form yet. And like the Suburban and Yukon, the Escalade's tailgate is topped by a prominent spoiler that improves its aerodynamic profile.

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade goes on sale this spring starting at $72,690, almost $8,000 more than the current base model. That's still less than a comparable Land Rover Range Rover, and about what you'd pay for a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class with a V8 and a few options. The forthcoming redesigned Lincoln Navigator is also worth a look when comparing full-size SUVs.

Check back for a full review of the 2015 Escalade, including specs, driving impressions and buying advice as it becomes available.