2012 Cadillac Escalade Gets Security Enhancements

One of the most stolen vehicles in the U.S. just got tougher to boost. For 2012, Cadillac is adding new security features that make the Escalade harder to steal, especially for thieves trying to push or tow the automaker’s large luxury SUV.

Car thieves are apparently drawn to big, blingy vehicles; Cadillac’s high-profile Escalade consistently tops the Highway Loss Data Institute’s list of most popular vehicles to steal. The Escalade EXT, with its pickup-truck bed, appeals most to burglars, according to the institute.

The new standard safety features include PASS Key 3+, which encrypts the key and the ignition system and reduces the risk of drive-away thefts. To deter push-away and tow-away thefts, Escalades will have a tougher steering-column-lock system and a sensor that detects an unexpected change in incline and sounds an alarm. Also available are new shock sensors that sound an alarm if a window is broken and a wheel lock system designed to prevent thieves from making off with Escalade’s wheels and tires.

These added security measures are in addition to the theft-monitoring functions already provided by GM’s OnStar security system. OnStar offers remote-engine lock and stolen-vehicle slowdown functionality after a vehicle has already been compromised.

2012 Toyota Camry Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — have earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency. In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV is 20 inches longer than its sibling SUV, the Escalade. This additional length translates to tons of third-row legroom and a ginormous cargo area, says Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey. All that extra space doesn’t make it family-friendly, though. In three rows of seats, there are only two sets of lower Latch anchors for child-safety seats, and the three-seat third row is split 50/50, leaving a big crack between the seats for the unfortunate person in the middle seat.

2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

Cadillac Escalade Tops Most-Stolen List, Again

The Cadillac Escalade remains one of the most stolen cars in the U.S., according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, an offshoot of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The group’s latest study shows that the Escalade’s popularity with thieves is high: Four versions of the Escalade appear at the top of HLDI’s list of 2008-10 vehicles with the most theft claims.

Escalade owners are stacking up theft losses that are more than 10 times larger ($114) than the average car ($11 worth of theft loss).

The data comes from insurers that represent about 80% of all privately owned vehicles. Understandably, the information doesn’t include information on uninsured cars. Unlike the most-stolen vehicle list we reported on earlier, which tends to be dominated by best-selling cars, HLDI says its list is a better indicator of how likely a given car will be targeted.

Recall Alert: 739 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC Trucks, SUVs

GM is recalling 739 vehicles from the 2011 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles are the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV 1500; Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.

The affected vehicles are being recalled because the intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts might not have been tightened properly. This could cause the joints to separate and lead to steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin on July 13. GM dealers will inspect the intermediate steering shaft bolts and tighten them, if needed. For more info, owners can call Cadillac at 800-458-8006, Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

Hondas a Hot Target for Thieves

The Honda Accord, Civic and Toyota Camry were the most stolen and recovered vehicles of 2010, according to LoJack. That information comes from analyzing the 10,649 stolen vehicles that LoJack helped recover last year. All three vehicles were the top three in 2009, too.

Older model years — late-1990s Accords, for instance – are popular targets for car thieves, though LoJack does see a growing segment of thieves targeting newer vehicles. Popular newer vehicles include the 2007 Camry and Cadillac Escalade. Southern California, Texas and Florida experience the most larceny.

The Worst Hybrids for the Money

Every year, we determine which hybrids are the best for the money, based on body style. This year, we also take a look at the worst hybrids for the money.

What we mean by worst is this: hybrids that end up with a very low score after you divide the car’s combined EPA mileage estimate by its MSRP and multiply that number by 1,000. Our best finisher was the Honda Insight. Who was at the other end?

To be fair, many of the cars on this list are luxury cars, and you’re paying for that as much as you’re paying for the hybrid drivetrain. And some of these perform, percentage-wise, far better than their gas counterparts. (Take the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, for example.) And some shoppers, of course, want and/or need a large SUV but would like to make some kind of statement. Still, my 2003 Honda Pilot scores better (0.58) than all the cars on this list, and it’s not even a hybrid.

Here’s the bottom 10:

Recall Alert: 26,751 GM Trucks, SUVS

General Motors has expanded an earlier recall from last month over a potential problem with the rear axle/suspension, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected models include the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; and GMC Canyon, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL. While the initial recall affected only 1,262 vehicles (and all the vehicles were trucks), now 26,751 vehicles (including SUVs) are affected.

In the affected vehicles, the rear axle cross pin was not manufactured correctly. As a result, the pin could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle, causing the axle to lock up. This condition could make maintaining direction control difficult, increasing the likelihood of an accident without prior warning.

GM is expected to begin the recall Jan. 25. Dealerships will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge on affected vehicles. For more info, owners can contact Cadillac at 866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA's safety hotline at 888-327-4236. Owners can also go to www.GMownercenter.com.

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevy Silverado, Avalanche, GMC Sierra, Cadillac Escalade

General Motors is recalling 1,262 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks from the 2011 model year over a potential problem with the rear axle/suspension.

In some vehicles, the rear axle cross pin was not manufactured correctly. As a result, the pin could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle, which could cause the axle to lock up.

This condition could make maintaining direction control difficult, increasing the likelihood of an accident without prior warning.

GM is expected to begin the recall in January. Dealerships will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge on affected vehicles.

For more information, owners can contact Cadillac at 866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA's safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

Cadillac Rolls Out Free Maintenance

We’re not saying we started something here, but it seems that since our post on free maintenance programs, more automakers are adding them.
 
Last week, Lincoln started offering a three-year free maintenance program as a summer incentive. Today, Cadillac announced that it will begin a full-time free maintenance program for all 2011 models. The plan covers all required maintenance for the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

That includes oil changes, tire rotations, replacing engine and cabin air filters and the more significant/expensive multipoint inspections.
 
The first vehicles included in the program, called Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance, will be the 2011 CTS lineup, including the new CTS coupe.