A big center console serves as a front armrest and opens in a couple of different ways to reveal storage areas. Two power outlets, two large cupholders, CD rack and coinholder are all in there. The dashboard is squarish, like a big flat tray. A leather-wrapped handgrip runs across the top of the dash on the passenger side with big stitching that faces out.

The instruments are stylish and look sort of retro high-tech, with Zebrano wood trim. Too many marks on the six little gauges (including transmission temperature), and the larger tachometer and speedometer, make it difficult to determine what numbers need the most attention.

A message center reports the status of 19 vehicle functions, including total hours on the engine, and, excellent for parents checking up on teens, a measure of the top speed reached and miles driven during each of the previous seven days. For example, we can report that three days before we got our Escalade, somebody reached a speed of 98 mph (10 mph below its electronically limited top speed of 108) during the 348 miles they drove it. A computer in the center dash allows the driver to program such things as whether the locks operate automatically, how locking or unlocking with the key fob is confirmed (horn, lights or both), whether the mirrors tilt when backing up, length of headlamp delay, etc.

The steering-wheel audio controls are set into the center of the butterfly four-spoke burl wood trim wheel, but can't be reached by thumb.

The Escalade is no airport shuttle. With all three rows of seats in place, the Escalade can, in theory, accommodate eight people, but they won't be terribly comfortable. Nor will they be able to bring along much more than a briefcase; with the third row in place there's only a foot of storage in the back. Four or five people with the third row removed is much better, offering comfort and cargo capacity. Fortunately, removing the third row is easy; each of the two third-row seats weighs 40 pounds. With the third row removed and the middle seat down, there's 108.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

The second row of seats comes with all the conveniences, starting with seat heaters, climate control, audio system controls, map lights, and adjustable vents. The center seatback folds down to reveal a virtual fold-down table. Lift the vinyl top and there's a black felt compartment with little round recesses designed for the headphones. There's less legroom than you might expect in a vehicle this large, particularly if the front seat is moved all the way back. There are no pockets in the doors, but there are pockets in the front seatbacks. Big hanging loops make climbing in and out easier.

The third row is a pair of seats split 50/50. Getting in and out of the third row is awkward. Leather-soled dress shoes slip on the trim when squeezing by the second row. Cadillac says the Escalade offers 3.5 more inches of rear-seat headroom than the Lincoln Navigator, and 9 inches more legroom. Still, it feels cramped back there. At least it's not stuffy; there's an A/C outlet on each side on the ceiling, and the left side has its own private glovebox with only a few fuses stored in there. Both sides have deep cupholders built into the wheel wells. Three seatbelts are used, something not found on many SUVs, and child-seat tethers are in place.