The Escalade EXT has the large cabin of a four-door SUV but also the abbreviated bed of a pickup truck- plus a link between cab and truck bed in the cabin's fold-down rear gate. As a unique sport-utility truck (SUT), the EXT variation of the Escalade can convert from a comfortable four-door and five-person sport-utility to a practical pickup capable of hauling cargo as well as passengers. It resembles elite Escalade although the boxy rear bay has been eliminated in favor of the pared pickup bed. Muscle comes from Escalade's high-output 6.0-liter V8 ripped to 345 hp. The 2005 models contain a new instrument cluster, the navigation system upgraded with a touch-screen, burled walnut trim in the cabin and bright chrome on the exhaust pipe.

Stretched 22 inches longer than Escalade, the ESV is a super-size SUV that compares to Chevrolet's Suburban in the half-ton 1500 series but with all of Escalade's lavish features plus class-capping muscle. It also develops the highest gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) and top trailer tow numbers. ESV gets Escalade's 6.0-liter V8 for 345 hp. The engine uses a heavy-duty four-speed automatic transmission with all power sent to all wheels through the constantly engaged AWD mechanism. Three rows of leather-clad seats provide room for seven people plus generous cargo space in the rear bay.

A Platinum Edition adds premium features and materials, such as accents in walnut burl wood and chrome, with deluxe communications gear standard such as OnStar telecommunications, a Bose audio system and DVD-based video kit for rear seat riders as well as XM satellite radio service. Four exterior colors mark ESV Platinum: White Diamond, Black Raven, Quicksilver and Red E.

The sporty STS version of Cadillac's Seville sedan fades away in 2005 but the name carries forward to describe a new luxury-touring sedan built on the RWD Sigma platform. Lines for the STS look keen with crisp edges that conform to the appearance of the CTS. The aggressive face features a prominent horizontal louver panel with wire-mesh airfoil grille and piercing optics with stacked round projector-type headlamps mounted on vertical corners. Big wheels mount out at the four corners, leaving brief overhangs front and rear. The passenger compartment, spacious quarters with seats for five, piles on luxury gear with soft leather upholstery and hardwood trim plus bright touches of aluminum and satin-finish chrome.

There are two powertrain choices -- the 3.6-liter V6 VVT worth 255 hp or NorthStar 4.6-liter V8 VVT zipped to 320 hp. Each plant ties to a five-speed Hydra-Matic automatic shifter that adds a driver shift control (DSC) for clutch-less manual shifting. With the V8, Cadillac offers optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. Key contents range from a keyless access system with push-button start, adaptive cruise control (ACC), four-color head-up display (HUD), and a deluxe Bose audio system with six-disc CD/DVD/MP3 deck and 15 cabin speakers. (...BACK)