Cadillac makes no apologies for the 2009 Escalade ESV, an extra-long, surprisingly nimble SUV that continues to exemplify the Cadillac brand. The well-outfitted Escalade ESV stretches nearly 20 inches longer than the standard Escalade, and adds nearly 10 inches of legroom for third-row occupants who would like to stretch out or perhaps throw a party. The ESV also offers an expanded cargo space behind the third row, with more than 45 cubic feet of storage space, up from about 17 cubic feet in the standard Escalade.

Despite the ESV's size, GM continues to seek out ways to make it more fuel efficient in an era of ever-rising gas prices. For 2009, drivers can opt to outfit the Escalade ESV with a FlexFuel engine that runs on E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. With the FlexFuel engine, the ESV will also run on ordinary gasoline, so drivers have a couple of options when it comes to fueling up their vehicles.

GM has not provided any specifics about the FlexFuel engine yet, but it's expected to be similar in horsepower to the standard 403-horsepower, 6.2-liter Vortec engine that drives the 2008 version. With that engine, the ESV has a 7,800-pound towing rating, 100 pounds more than the regular Escalade's.

The 2009 ESV comes equipped with a wide range of high-end features, including leather upholstery, wood interior trim, tri-zone climate control, and a 10-speaker Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround System, as well as a long list of safety and comfort features, including a road-sensing suspension, all-speed traction control, an ultrasonic rear parking assist, and the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation. In addition, drivers can opt for a full-time all-wheel-drive system for additional traction and stability.