2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Escalade Hybrid, and includes Cadillac Escalade Hybrid safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is designed to combine the benefits of a full-size SUV with the fuel-saving technology of a hybrid vehicle. Unlike the standard Escalade, the Escalade Hybrid is offered only in a short-wheelbase model. Its closest competitors include the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, both of which are smaller than the Cadillac.

For 2012, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid’s navigation system is upgraded with guidance lines for the reversing camera, new satellite radio services, revised point-of-interest search capability, and a low fuel warning light display. Cadillac also installs a more robust steering column, new wheel locks, inclination sensors, and shock sensors to better thwart thieves intending to steal the Escalade Hybrid. The center console gets a new lid design, the Platinum model can be equipped with a new Ebony-on-Ebony interior treatment, and new colors debut in the form of Radiant Silver Metallic and Crystal Red Tintcoat.

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is offered in a standard level of specification, or as an upgraded Platinum model. Given a starting price north of $73,000, the Escalade Hybrid is equipped with all of the goodies you expect to find at this price point, and then some. Highlights include Nuance leather upholstery, a power wood-and-leather tilt steering wheel, triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated 14-way power adjustable front seats, heated second-row bucket seats divided by a center console, a Bose 5.1 Surround Sound premium audio system with satellite radio and a USB port, a navigation system with hybrid powertrain information displays, and a DVD rear entertainment system. Bluetooth hands-free wireless connectivity is standard, along with one free year of OnStar telematics service including Automatic Crash Notification and Stolen Vehicle Tracking services.

In addition to this list of standard features, the Escalade Hybrid is also equipped with a power moonroof, a power tailgate, power adjustable pedals, and power heated outside mirrors with puddle lighting and embedded turn signal indicators. A side blind-zone alert system is standard, along with automatic high-intensity discharge headlights with Intellibeam auto-dimming high beams, LED taillights, a reversing camera, rear park assist, and remote vehicle starting. The Escalade Hybrid is equipped with a Magnetic Ride Control suspension with automatic leveling, and rides on 22-inch chrome aluminum wheels. Options include four-wheel drive, power retractable running boards, and a spare tire kit.

For nearly $10,000 extra, you can buy the 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Platinum model. The only options are four-wheel drive and a spare tire kit, which means the Platinum is loaded with all the features available on an Escalade Hybrid. LED headlights? Check. Heated and cooled cupholders? You’ve got ‘em on this model. Other standard features include lush aniline leather wrapped around the first two rows of seats, an extended leather interior treatment, and genuine wood and aluminum cabin accents. The Platinum model also gets a DVD rear entertainment system with dual independent second-row headrest screens in addition to the standard overhead display, power retractable running boards, special floor mats, extra chrome interior trim, and unique front styling details.

Despite weighing a couple of hundred pounds either side of three tons, and regardless of its combined power ratings of 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque, the Escalade Hybrid is expected to get 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway no matter if it is driven by its rear wheels or all four wheels.

Thank the Escalade’s two-mode hybrid system for this feat of magic. It pairs a 6.0-liter, Atkinson-cycle V8 with Active Fuel Management and an Auto Stop mode with a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack recharged by a regenerative braking system, an electrically variable transmission, and electric steering to produce its combined fuel economy rating of 21 mpg. The Escalade Hybrid is also considered to be a full hybrid, meaning it can operate solely on electricity at low speeds.

There’s no shortage of standard safety equipment when it comes to the 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Six airbags, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and a traction and stability control system with rollover mitigation technology are standard, along with OnStar telematics that includes a free one-year subscription to Automatic Crash Notification, Crisis Assist, and Emergency Services. Every Escalade Hybrid is also equipped with a reversing camera, rear park assist sensors a side blind-zone assist system and IntelliBeam headlights.

In terms of crashworthiness, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the Escalade Hybrid receives an overall rating of 4 Stars. The only reason the SUV doesn’t achieve perfect 5-Star status is due to its 3-Star rollover resistance rating. The Escalade Hybrid has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Switching gears to quality and durability, Consumer Reports does not offer a favorable rating for the 2012 Escalade, predicting that the model’s long-term reliability will be well below average. J.D. Power and Associates is 180 degrees from that position. The Escalade won an award from the market research firm for its performance in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, and Power predicts the Escalade will provide better than average dependability over time.

Since there’s no consensus on quality, it’s a good thing the Escalade Hybrid is covered by Cadillac Shield, a comprehensive warranty, maintenance, and roadside assistance program. The entire vehicle is protected by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty, while the powertrain benefits from a five-year/100,000-mile warranty (eight years or 100,000 miles for hybrid components). Cadillac also provides free maintenance and roadside assistance for the duration of the basic warranty.

When a hybrid powertrain’s gasoline engine is referred to as an “Atkinson cycle” design, it means it employs a late intake valve closing design.

Behind the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid’s third-row seat, there are 16.9 cubic-feet of cargo space available, equivalent to what you’d find in the trunk of a midsize sedan. Remove the cramped third-row seat from the Escalade Hybrid, and this SUV can carry an impressive 60.3 cu-ft of cargo. Fold the second-row seats down, and an Escalade Hybrid can handle 108.9 cu-ft of your stuff.

If you’re looking to maximize people- and cargo-toting capabilities, just remember that the Escalade Hybrid’s payload ratings are 1,421 pounds for the rear-drive model and 1,380 for the four-wheel-drive model. Tow ratings are 5,800 with RWD or 5,600 with 4WD, which amount to 2,500 fewer pounds than a standard Escalade can manage.

While we’re on the subject of weight, the Escalade Hybrid 4WD weighs 6,120 pounds. Business owners, this Cadillac represents another tax loophole to be exploited.

Clearly, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is not intended for serious off-roading, but thanks to nine inches of ground clearance and an optional 4WD system, this Caddy can definitely tackle significant snowfall.

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is American-made in Arlington, Texas.

Basically, the only reason to choose a regular Escalade over the Escalade Hybrid is to A.) Tow more trailer weight or B.) Save yourself a few thousand bucks over an equivalently equipped Hybrid. Since we never see a trailer hooked to an Escalade, and at this Cadillac’s mid-70s price point a few grand is inconsequential, we must ask the logical question of well-heeled SUV buyers: Why are so many of you taking a pass on the 21-mpg Escalade Hybrid?

By Christian Wardlaw