Disclaimer: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC’s only.
I can’t think of a better way to introduce you, my readers, to the newest part of The Mummy Chronicles (TMC) than by debuting the Cars section with the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (I know!). Formerly only on my review blog, Mummy’s Product Reviews, the car section will be seen here on TMC now. It’s about time too! My love for cars first started here in 2007, so it feels natural to have it come back home.
I hope you enjoy reading about the features, likes, dislikes and findings as I continue to explore the world of driving, the auto industry and cars of all shapes and sizes. I want to hear what you think, love and questions you may have about cars too. Let’s get started!
2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Here is what I want you to know about the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.
Be prepared for looks, of all kinds.
I spent a week driving one of the biggest of SUV Hybrids, with a starting price of $74, 000, carting my kids around town to day camps, running errands and in general getting any chance I could to drive this beautiful beast. I had intended to take it on a tour through the city, the Southern parts of Maryland and eventually down to the Williamsburg and Virginia Beach area for a real test. Things change and instead I found people at lights giving me puzzled looks, nods of appreciation and in general a lot of reading aloud, “Cadillac Hybrid….” as I waited for the light to turn green. In parking lots people stopped to read the Hybrid sign, give me the once over and sometimes looks of disgust but mainly smiles and comments on just how gorgeous this SUV looks in Diamond White with great leather car seat covers that complement the interior.
Second row folded down, third row shown
Third row up, cargo space available
As a family car it seats 8 passengers (second row bench version) and has decent cargo space. The second row seating, heated, is a split folding bench while the third row is suitable for a teen. The seats in the third row do not fold flat but need to be removed fully to make a larger cargo space. That is a problem I don’t want to have in a vehicle this size. For side, rear crash and frontal (driver) crash it gets five stars by government safety ratings. Passenger gets four stars with an overall vehicle score of four stars. There are plenty of airbags aboard the Escalade Hybrid in the front, driver and passenger sides as well as seat mounted, head curtain side airbags with rollover protection on all rows. I easily fit four booster seats and a Britax car seat in the car during its use and there was plenty of comfort in seating.
The Escalade Hybrid gets 4.7 gallons per 100 miles. That’s about 23 mpg highway and 20 in the city, with 21 combined city/highway. It’s better than expected. In the Platinum package, which is what I drove, the SUV switches into electric-only mode when it is cruising at a lower speed and has a light load. That’s great for driving around town, which is what I do most of the time. Most people who want a hybrid are not going to think Escalade unless they are die-hard Cadillac or Escalade fans. When looking for maximum comfort and style then this is a luxuriously fun option in the SUV arena.
The big question, the one that everyone asks, even a few weeks after I tested the Escalade Hybrid is, “How does it drive?” Do you even need to ask? It’s a Cadillac through and through and there is a reason that so many people become life-long fans of the brand and model. It drives like a dream. Steering is easy, parking takes practice. The ride is incredibly smooth, as expected. There is an insulated level of comfort that is bubble-like when driving this vehicle. The interior is quiet, you are high up and have great vantage points all around. While acceleration is a tad slower than some might want it is a large piece of machinery that you are driving and that is felt first thing when getting behind the wheel. The Escalade Hybrid is naturally luxurious with all the trimmings you could expect and want from the heated and cooled seats and drink holder plus olive ash or walnut burl wood inside. Leather heavy duty truck seat covers the interior with its tri-zone climate control. All you need or want is here and within in easy reach on the centerstack and console.
Driving the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid was a joy. It is comfortable and stylish inside and out. It might not be practical or affordable for everyone but is sure was fun while it lasted. Consider exploring additional features like polyurethane coatings for chemical resistance to enhance the vehicle’s durability and protect it from various environmental factors.
