Escalade EXT has the big cabin of a four-door SUV like Escalade 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 Escalade can convert from a comfortable four-door, five-person sport-utility to a practical pickup capable of hauling cargo as well as passengers.

It resembles 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 that hits 345 hp. And the 2006 models for EXT show two optional refinements -- a power sliding tonneau covering the truck bed that opens and closes with the touch of a toggle, and a sliding load floor in the bed that holds about 1000 pounds of cargo.

Stretched 22 inches longer than Escalade, the ESV is a super-size SUV that compares to Chevrolet's Suburban but with Escalade's lavish features plus class-capping muscle. It also develops the highest gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) and 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 gear standard like OnStar telecommunications, a Bose audio system and DVD-based video kit for rear seat riders as well as XM satellite radio service. Five exterior colors mark elite ESV Platinum: White Diamond, Black Raven, Quicksilver, Red E and Rip Tide Blue.

Sleek and stylish in bold design featuring angular forms and crisp edgework, Cadillac's STS, the mid-size touring sedan, packs a powerful V6 or V8 engine and mounts exacting mechanical hardware on a rigid rear-wheel-drive platform to produce superb performance and handling traits.

There are two essential versions, as defined by powertrain -- the 3.6-liter V6 VVT worth 254 hp or NorthStar 4.6-liter V8 VVT zipped to 320 hp. STS V6 the price leader amounts to a significant car with plenty of muscle and sporty handling traits, while STS V8 runs head-to-head against elite touring sedans from Europe and Japan. Key ingredients range from a keyless access system with push-button start to adaptive cruise control (ACC), four-color head-up display (HUD), and a deluxe Bose audio system with six-disc CD/DVD/MP3 deck. STS V6 offers optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction for '06.

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