This has gotten fancier and fancier. And apparently they are still popular (within the niche). Standard 22s on the Platinum Edition, which is only $90k. If that's too much there's always the base model for $74k.
Also comes with several TV screens, which I understand is popular in....some circles.
First drive of the 2015, not that anyone cares: http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews ... irst-drive
Apparently the 2015 was introduced with the old 6L80. So the 8L90 (and Platinum upgrades) is part of a mid-2015 update. Mileage was "up" on the 2015 GMT-K2XX Escalade to 14/20 (from 13/18). So I wonder what the 8L90 will do. With the EcoTec3 6.2L (420hp and 460lb-ft) and 5,8xx lbs, that's not terrible (that's with 4WD), considering that's not a hybrid model. But gas mileage seems pretty irrelevant on something like this...
On the price:
Luxury doesn't come cheap, of course: The standard 2015 Escalade starts at $72,690 while the premium model costs $81,190. Compare those numbers to the Mercedes GL450 which starts at $64,550, and the GL550 comes in at $89,000. Finally, the Range Rover starts at $84,225; the long wheelbase Rangie cracks the century mark at $106,225. Viewed in light of those competitors, the Escalade offers quite a bit of SUV for the dollar.
In other words, yes, you do want this, as long as you're looking for a full-size luxury SUV. It's every bit as good as the alternatives -- if not better -- and a lot more imposing to boot.
