Compare the2023 GMC Yukon XLVS 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Both the Yukon XL and the Escalade ESV 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 XL’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 XL gets better mileage than the Escalade ESV:

Regardless of its engine, the Yukon XL’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 ESV Diesel.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon XL’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (42.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

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

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

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Escalade ESV is limited to 8100 pounds. The Yukon XL offers up to a 8300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Yukon XL has a higher standard payload capacity than the Escalade ESV (1687 vs. 1548 lbs.).

The Yukon XL has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Escalade ESV (1698 vs. 1636 lbs.).

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon XL owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon XL will cost $1810 to $4230 less than the Escalade ESV over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon XL is less expensive to operate than the Escalade ESV because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon XL than the Escalade ESV, including $149 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 XL will be $24798 to $27494 less than for the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

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