2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Offically dubbed a luxury-utility truck, the Cadillac Escalade EXT changes little for 2009, with the exception of a new optional FlexFuel engine that runs on E85 fuel. A blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, E85 can be difficult to find in some areas of the country, so the FlexFuel engine will also run on ordinary gasoline, giving drivers a couple of options when fueling up their EXTs.

Like the extra-long Escalade ESV, the EXT stretches nearly 20 inches longer than the standard Escalade. A lockable, enclosable 45.5-cubic-foot pickup bed occupies much of that extra space. Cadillac calls it a "utility enhancement system with midgate." Drop the midgate down, fold down the second-row seats, and you can expand the EXT's cargo space to 101 cubic feet, making this an extremely versatile luxury vehicle.

A 403-horsepower, 6.2-liter Vortec V8 engine powers the Escalade EXT. The engine links to a Hydra-Matic heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control manual mode, as well as a tow/haul mode.

The 2009 Escalade EXT will not be available with GM's two-mode hybrid engine, which will be an optional powerplant only for the standard Escalade body style.

The EXT will, however, come decked out with a long list of luxury features, including leather upholstery and trim, heated front seats (with heated seatbacks), a wood-and-leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround System with a six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability. The four-door EXT seats up to five passengers.

Standard full-time all-wheel drive provides stability and traction, as does a StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation. All-speed traction control, a road-sensing system, antilock brakes, and a heavy-duty trailering package also come standard on the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT.