2013 Cadillac Escalade Premium

The Escalade is Cadillac's full-size luxury SUV, the one that made the big American SUV feel like a first-class lounge on wheels. For something this large, it moves with surprising authority, and the ride stays composed even when you're hauling the whole family and their gear. Inside, you get three rows of seating, a commanding view of the road, and the kind of quiet, leather-lined cabin that makes long trips feel short. The third row folds flat easily, and with it down you have a vast cargo area that swallows luggage, sports gear, or whatever else you throw at it. The Premium trim adds leather-wrapped interior details, heated and cooled front seats, and a power-folding third row over the Luxury, while skipping the Platinum's upgraded audio and semi-aniline leather. Its 6.2L V8 makes 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive that gives you confident traction in rain or snow, though you'll see 15 mpg combined at the pump. The Premium comes standard with Magnetic Ride Control, which reads the road in real time to keep the big body flat through corners without ruining the ride over potholes.