On the way to work this morning I pulled up next to an Escalade and looked over at its rear DRUM brakes! What's up with this - aren't these things kinda pricey? Isn't this the "most powerful SUV in the world?" DRUM Brakes!! Next thing you're gonna tell me is that GM is still using pushrod engines!?!

Randy

Not a step backwards, they just haven't caught up to where we were 30 years ago yet.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Remember that GM scrambled to cash in on the SUV bandwagon (consider the profit margin ) as fast as they could. So many of the SUVs were hastily derived using current pickup truck platforms.

Th P/Us had the least amount of leading edge technology built into them, thus some holdovers such as drum brakes persist. Eventually, they will update the rest of the systems, but I would agree that the third generation Escalade should be sporting 4-wheel discs by now...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I don't really pay much attention to SUVs but I will admit that this looked like an early version so your analysis is correct. It just goes to show that everybody has their own hot buttons. Technology is one of mine!

Randy

I didn't think they had drums in the back?! I'm gonna pay more attention next time I see an Escalade with 22" wheels showing off its drums in the back.

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

That's because GM, thanks to brilliant supply chain management during the early 80's, has about 2 million drum brake tools to sell to the DIYer.

Kuan

Doesn't the BMW X5 4.6 iS have something like 360 hp? I know the Escalade has 345 hp.

-Sam

They may mealy-mouth it but I know on the TV commercial they say it is the "most powerful SUV..." something. I guess that will change for sure when the TT Cayenne debuts.

Randy