Forget the tremendous power, the comfy seats, the luxurious interior, and certainly the 12.7-mpg real world fuel economy (though a 200-mile highway trip registered 17.6 mpg). Driving this rig just makes you feel cool, from the frequent casual glances to the shock-and-awe looks when this hulking SUV tears away from a red light. Those occasional sprints are great fun, especially when the 6.2-liter V8 forces the exhaust to bark out a sweet burble, but keep in mind that this ride tips the scales at more than 5,700 pounds, so 403 horsepower here isn’t like 400 horses in the 3,200-lb. Chevy Corvette. Nevertheless, the 2007 Cadillac Escalade feels plenty quick and powerful on the highway, yet is equally adept at strolling slowly along on congested city streets. It’s in those urban quarters where drivers may most appreciate the large side mirrors and clear rear view, though the wide C-pillars and second-row headrests limit rear three-quarter visibility. Not that there’s much to worry about – traffic has a tendency to clear when that massive chrome grille rolls up.

Besides its power, the 2007 Escalade’s powertrain is notable for its refinement. At low and high revs, the engine remains composed and quiet, with the only noise intrusion coming from the wind and a minor dash squeak on our test truck. The six-speed automatic transmission makes good use of the Vortec’s output and offers smooth shifts, but it can get caught up hunting for the appropriate gear (though this is the exception rather than the norm). On the column-mounted shifter are buttons for the tow/haul mode and a manually-interactive shift feature. Drop the gear selector to M and a simple tap of the button performs requested up and down shifts, albeit with a slight delay and only if the truck’s computers determine it won’t trash the powertrain. Cadillac engineers claim that the placement on the shift lever is logical, though those who must take a hand off of the steering wheel to use it may long for something more akin to the paddle shifters on a DSG-equipped Audi or Volkswagen. True, the button may be awkwardly placed, but there’s no denying that being able to drop ‘er down to second headed into a corner and watch the revs climb as you throttle out will get you smiling. The four-wheel antilock disc brake system is connected to a well-modulated pedal, and GM engineers claim that the setup has tested positive for its ability to slow a 7,400-lb. towed load when descending a steep grade.

During our drive through the mountains east of San Diego, we got a good sense of how the 2007 Cadillac Escalade handled. Considering its size, body roll was very well controlled, and the optional 22-inch tires provided a smooth and comfortable ride despite the relatively short sidewalls. Some of the effects of roadway expansion joints could be felt, but not significantly, and the spacious and well-padded front and second-row buckets help, though the lack of side bolstering will leave you sliding around in quick turns. Padded door sills and armrests further accent the focus on comfort, as do the quick-acting heated seats with three settings and the power fold-and-tumble second-row buckets that make third-row access fairly easy. However, that rearmost seat is a bit tight for average-sized adults.

Other quibbles center on the tilt steering wheel, which lacks the expected power adjustment and telescoping function. Also conspicuously absent are one-touch up power windows that are common to numerous luxury cars. The rack-and-pinion steering, admittedly better than the outgoing recirculating ball unit, needs a speed-sensitive feature to give it more heft and road feel at higher speeds. And finally, the cargo area’s high liftover height makes dealing with the two 50-lb. third-row sections all that more difficult. Word is the seats will remain hefty, though the elusive pull-up strap will be made easier to use.