Few vehicles capture the bold spirit of early-2000s American luxury quite like the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT, and this striking example makes an especially compelling case with only 48,031 miles on the odometer since new. Finished in the appropriately named Red E exterior color over a Shale leather interior with wood-grain accents, it presents the unmistakable combination of presence, luxury, power, and ingenious utility that made the Escalade EXT unlike anything else on the road. Adding further appeal, this EXT has a clean CARFAX verified via CARFAX, shows only two owners since new per CARFAX, and has been Texas-owned.
At the heart of the Escalade EXT is the legendary 6.0-liter LQ9 Vortec High Output V8, one of the most sought-after engines from GM’s celebrated Gen III small-block family. Factory-rated at an impressive 345 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, the LQ9 combines an iron engine block, aluminum cylinder heads, sequential fuel injection, and a performance-oriented 10.1:1 compression ratio. Power is delivered through a four-speed automatic transmission and Cadillac’s full-time all-wheel-drive system, giving the EXT confident traction without requiring the driver to stop and manually select a drive mode. The result is a luxury truck with genuine V8 authority, substantial low-end response, and the unmistakable character enthusiasts expect from a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter Cadillac.
What truly separates the Escalade EXT from a conventional luxury SUV or pickup is its innovative Midgate system. With the Midgate upright, the EXT provides comfortable seating for five along with a practical enclosed pickup bed. When additional cargo length is required, the rear seating area can be reconfigured and the Midgate lowered, extending the usable cargo floor into the cabin and allowing the vehicle to accommodate items approximately eight feet long. This ingenious layout gives the EXT the flexibility to transition between an upscale five-passenger vehicle and an extended cargo hauler without abandoning the comfort and refinement of the Escalade platform.
Inside, the Shale cabin delivers the upscale environment expected from Cadillac, combining leather seating surfaces with elegant wood-grain accents. The power-adjustable front seats are heated, providing personalized positioning and added comfort, while the factory navigation system adds useful route guidance directly within the dashboard. A power sunroof opens the cabin to additional light and fresh air, and this EXT is also equipped with extra factory headlights that further complement its distinctive exterior presentation. The Bose audio system, automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted controls, power-adjustable pedals, and extensive convenience equipment reinforce the EXT’s position as a genuinely luxurious truck rather than a conventional pickup dressed in premium trim.
The 2004 model year brought several meaningful improvements to the EXT. XM Satellite Radio, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a towing package became standard equipment, expanding both its convenience and capability. Cadillac also allowed the rear-seat entertainment system and power sunroof to be ordered together for the first time. Most notably for this particular vehicle, Red E was introduced as a new exterior color for 2004, making this EXT an authentic representation of that model year’s updated palette.
With only 48,031 miles since new, a clean CARFAX verified via CARFAX, two owners, Texas ownership history, full-time all-wheel drive, the formidable LQ9 6.0-liter V8, navigation, heated power seats, a power sunroof, and the remarkably versatile Midgate system, this 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT brings together nearly every quality that makes the model desirable today. It is a distinctive luxury truck from an era defined by big displacement, bold Cadillac styling, and engineering solutions that remain impressive more than two decades later.
