2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum

The Escalade ESV is the long-wheelbase version of Cadillac's full-size luxury SUV, built to carry seven or eight people plus a serious amount of cargo. It drives with the commanding view and smooth power you'd expect from a big luxury SUV, though you'll feel its size in tight parking lots. Inside, the cabin is genuinely plush, with real wood and leather everywhere and a third row that's actually usable for adults. Running costs are steep, with premium fuel, frequent brake jobs, and big-ticket repairs if anything major goes wrong. The Platinum is the top Escalade trim, with more standard luxury features than the Premium, and it's the one to get if you want the most plush interior and the biggest wheels. Its 6.2L V8 makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a eight-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, which gives it effortless highway passing and a relaxed, quiet cruise. The Platinum adds exclusive semi-aniline leather, a suede headliner, and 22-inch wheels, so the cabin feels noticeably richer than lesser Escalades.