Compare the2023 GMC YukonVS 2022 Cadillac Escalade

Both the Yukon and the Escalade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 3 times as many GMC dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 5 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon gets better mileage than the Escalade:

Regardless of its engine, the Yukon’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Cadillac only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Escalade Diesel.

The Yukon Denali 4x4 handles at .73 G’s, while the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Escalade’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Escalade can only carry up to 8.

The Yukon has .5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Escalade.

The Yukon’s cargo area provides more volume than the Escalade.

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Escalade is limited to 8200 pounds. The Yukon offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Yukon has a higher standard payload capacity than the Escalade (1702 vs. 1636 lbs.).

The Yukon has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Escalade (1792 vs. 1647 lbs.).

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $1118 to $3422 less than the Escalade over a five-year period.

The Yukon will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Yukon will retain 51.37% to 52.71% of its original price after five years, while the Escalade only retains 49.34% to 50.01%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Escalade because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the Escalade, including $105 less for a muffler, $16 less for front brake pads, $610 less for front struts and $885 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Yukon will be $22284 to $25544 less than for the Cadillac Escalade.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV by over two to one during the 2021 model year.