ArcaMax

On the other hand, the low-aspect-ratio tires do give the Caddy sharper response to steering inputs. And they do a very effective job of reducing body roll to almost nil.

All the vehicles in this class are lunkers, but the Escalade doesn't feel its size because it has a tighter turning circle (39 feet) than either the QX80 or the Navigator (41.6 and 43.9 feet, respectively). This makes it noticeably easier to maneuver in tight confines such as the car-crowded parking lot of a fast food joint. It also sits lower than either of its two competitors: 74.4 inches for the Escalade vs. 78.1 for the Lincoln and 75.8 for the Infiniti. This makes it less awkward to deal with drive-throughs (as at banks) and low-ceilinged parking garages. No doubt, the Escalade's lower-in-the-weeds stance also enhances its stability at higher speeds.

It is, however, wider than its rivals: 80.5 inches vs. 78.8 for the Nav and 79.9 for the Q. This makes parking public parking spots (which are generally designed for Camry-sized cars) seem all the smaller.

I like the new capless fuel filler system. It's convenient - and much less messy, an important consideration when considering a premium vehicle. You will not have to worry about griming up your hands on the gas cap, because there is no gas cap. Just push the fuel pump's nozzle in the hole. The pump, however, is not under Cadillac's control.

The main gauge cluster is driver-configurable and now entirely flat-screen. This is the trend in high-end cars, for two main reasons. First, it looks slick. We live in an iPad Age and old-style analog gauges look so... 1990s. Second, they're configurable. More information can be displayed - called up at will by scrolling through the various menus. With fixed-in-situ analog gauges, you can only fit so many gauges (and so much information) in the limited space available.

The flat-screen theme continues to the right of the main gauge cluster, where there is a secondary eight-inch LCD via which you access/operate the audio system, GPS and various apps. Cadillac styles this the CUE - Cadillac User Interface. If you like iPads, you will like the CUE. It works pretty much the same way. It has text-to-voice and Siri Eyes Free capability, too.

Below this are the controls for the AC/heater. They are not flat screen. They are "haptic" - GM's term for finger-swipe (and tap) control inputs. My only beef with it is that sometimes you get too much (or not enough) of what you want, such as more or less fan - because it's fairly easy to swipe too far (or not far enough), especially with the vehicle in motion.

AT THE CURB

The Escalade is big - but it's not the biggest. Not the standard model, anyhow. At 203.9 inches long, end to end, it is 4.4 inches shorter than the Infiniti QX (208.3 inches) and 4.5 inches shorter than the standard-sized Lincoln Navigator (208.4 inches). This might just be "just right" sized - big, but not too big. I can vouch for the Q being a bus. A nice bus. But a bus. It's a handful.

The Escalade is big - but manageable. See points made earlier about turning circle, ride height and steering response. And if you do want more metal - even more than the Q - there's the Escalade ESV. It's almosttwo feet longer than the regular Escalade. That's also longer (by about an inch) than the Lincoln Navigator "L," too. (And don't forget: The regular length Lincoln is underpowered; imagine how much more underpowered the longer - and heavier - "L" version is.)

Packaging in the Caddy is also better. You get 45.3 inches of front seat legroom - by far the most in this class (the Navigator has 41.1 inches; the QX80 just 39.6 inches) and plenty of room in the second row: 39 inches for the Caddy, 39.1 for the Nav. The Q has more - 41 inches - but remember the front seat spec.

The Caddy also has much more headroom than its rivals: an NBA forward-friendly 42.8 inches - vs. 39.5 in the Lincoln and 39.9 in the Infiniti.

The third rows in all these rollers are compromised because they sit on top of the rear axle, which means the floorpans have to be higher in the third row than in the second row. This is the chief deficit of the RWD-based layout (and why FWD-based crossover SUVs are more space-efficient inside). But, though you sit with your legs tucked up a bit, there is decent legroom - and the third row is thus usable by most adults and absolutely fine for young kids and teens.

The Escalade's second and third rows also fold flat - and at the touch of a button. This creates a total of 94.2 cubic feet of space - enough to easily cart home a full-size outdoor gas grille with accessories. I know it can, because I did exactly that with my test Caddy.

Per the Mad Men meme, Cadillac has been dialing up some classic-era Cadillac themes (no, not fake convertible tops and opera lights on the C pillars). These include very tall - and very thin - taillights whose shape evokes the classic look of Caddys from the late '50s and early '60s. Up front, a massive chrome grille is set off on either side by inverted L-shaped headlights with five stacked individual LED projector bulbs.

If they ever reboot Mad Men - fast-forward it to our time - this is what a latter-day Don Draper would be driving.

You can order everything imaginable - just about - that might be on a just-signed first-round draft pick's wish list, including Blu-ray player and power retracting steps with puddle lighting.

But even the "base" model comes with a heated steering wheel (and heated seats), three-zone climate control, power adjustable pedals, Bose 16-speaker audio, five USB ports and a driver-adjustable, magnetic ride controlled suspension. My tested Platinum trimmed Escalade featured massaging front seats, "semi-aniline Nappa Leather," electrically chilled cupholders and a chilled cooler box in the center console. Plus twin Blue-Ray DVD players for the second row.

WiFi "hot spot" take-it-with-you Internet access is also on the menu - and (for 2016) the Escalade will send text messages or e-mail when it needs servicing.

THE REST

Cadillac hasn't caved. It has doubled-down. Instead of bending with the prevailing winds of political correctness and downsizing, de-powering or even outright dropping V8s from the roster, Cadillac installed a bigger and stronger V8 in the Escalade.

This is a very large part of the Escalade's appeal. Of Cadillac's appeal. It is not for people who are ashamed of what they make - or how much gas they use. I dig that.

So do enough other people to keep Cadillac in the black. Nothing else rivals the Escalade for power/performance - or testosterone overflow. Who needs Viagra when all you need to do is stand near one of these things?

THE BOTTOM LINE

Like it - or loathe it - the Escalade is the Cadillac of super-sized SUVs.

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www.ericpetersautos.com or EPeters952@aol.com for comments.