Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator

Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder recently spent a lot of quality time in three large, luxury SUVs and had the hard task of determining which one topped the bling-obsessed heap. Besides tackling those big, bold SUV grilles, the trio also factored in cargo usability, interior refinement and how easy it is to navigate these beasts. 

Cars.comparison: Full-Size Luxury SUVs

Best Cash-Back Finds: 12.07.07

Sifting through sales, incentives and various offers from car companies can be almost a full-time job for shoppers — and it is a full-time gig for some Cars.com staffers. We maintain a list of the Top 10 Cash-Back Offers here and a list of every available incentive here to help thrifty car shoppers. 

However, those charts aren’t helpful if you’re not sure about the cars on them. Is it OK to get the 2007 with a rebate and not the 2008? Could a car with a $4,000 cash-back offer be any good? The editors at Cars.com look at all the incentives and let you know which vehicles they recommend. These cars may not have the biggest rebates thrown on the hood, but our recommendations take into account our experiences driving the cars, along with some other factors, including safety and ownership costs. 

2007 Ford Edge

• MSRP: $25,320
• Cash back: $2,500
• Percent off MSRP: 9.87%
• Expires: 1/2/08
• 5-Year Ownership Costs
• Why it makes the cut: This is a classic example of a model where not much has changed for the new model year, besides the availability of that cool Sync feature we recently tested. If you don’t care about that, there are plenty of 2007 Edges left on dealer lots. The SUV has a lot of style and a healthy V-6 engine standard along with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award. We’re not big fans of the interior fit and finish, but there’s a lot of utility here for the money.

Video: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

The onslaught of Escalade news is drawing to a close — we promise! — and with it comes some video of the 2009 Escalade Hybrid. If you want to see that bold sideboard proclaiming that this Escalade is green in motion, just click play.

More Escalade News

2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum

Cadillac brought another Escalade to the party today. Besides the Hybrid, which will be a distinct model, the Platinum edition is a new trim level atop the Escalade lineup. Other Cadillacs have gotten the treatment before, but the Escalade seems to be one vehicle that deserves it.

The Platinum gets Magnetic Ride Control, which is basically constantly adapting shocks and suspension that should supply a smoother ride than the SUVs traditional setup. That’s not a small upgrade. The headlights are all LED — making it one of just a few cars around with that setup — but they won’t be available on the first Platinums that roll off the line this spring; you’ll have to wait for one produced after this summer. The grille is also designed to emulate the new CTS sedan. Of course, it has unique 22-inch wheels, not made out of platinum. The engine is a 403-hp V-8, so once you’re done with the show, you can get up and go. More photos below.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

• Competes with: Lexus RX 400h
• Looks like: A regular Escalade with the word HYBRID plastered all over it
• Drivetrain: 2-Mode Hybrid system with 332 hp 6.0-liter V-8 engine and electric motor
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008

There is one thing that holds a lot of people back from buying a big, bold SUV like the Cadillac Escalade: They don’t want to be a pariah for hurting the environment. The new 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the third full-size hybrid SUV from GM, following the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon which go on sale later this year.

The Escalade has a bigger engine, though, which not only has the assistance of a hybrid powertrain, but also features active fuel management so that when the SUV is cruising at highway speeds four of the eight cylinders shut off. Along with the regenerative braking system and other fuel-saving technologies, GM says the mileage for the hybrid Escalade will improve by 50% over its gas counterpart. That means the Escalade should get 18 mpg, up from 12, using the new EPA estimates. The government hasn't given official numbers yet, but we'd expect the Escalade to follow the other 2-mode SUVs which have highway mileage identical to the gasoline-only versions. That would mean the Escalade's would likely stay close to the 18 and 19 mpg for AWD and 2WD models respectively.

The Escalade will start from a dead stop, and drive at low speeds, entirely on electric power. It will also roll on 22-inch wheels.

We’ll have more photos of the Escalade Hybrid later today. Until then, tell us if you think this is a good idea for Cadillac.

2008 Cadillac Escalade Sport Concept

• Looks like: The Escalade your local NFL running back drives
• Defining characteristics: Mesh grille and 24s
• Ridiculous features: This is understated for SEMA
• Chance of being mass-produced: Probably not much chance of this being a production model, but perhaps some of the accessories will be available

The Escalade was the first Cadillac to feature the bold new grille that has made its way across the lineup. That grille is wild, and its standard. The custom mesh grilles we’re seeing at SEMA look almost subdued in comparison. Actually, we’re pleasantly surprised that this concept isn’t as garish as it could have been.

Besides ridiculously large wheels — 24 inches — the Sport concept is lowered just two inches, has more horsepower — 550 — features a high-performance exhaust system and has retractable side steps. To say we’re surprised by this show of restraint is an understatement. A shot of the SUVs backside is below. Feel free to give us your feedback.