Test Drove a 26 HC

vcode · Mar 20, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
At over 100k you might want to look at an Escalade……

A luxury with air ride and 24's is $115K.

ReaperHWK · Mar 20, 2026

I see some 2026 Escalades for sale for 105k; they are too rich for me so I didn’t look at all the options. I thought they come standard with the air ride and mag ride. They should be loaded.

I spent 88k for my Tahoe but all I’m saying is that once you hit the 100k+ area might as well go big dawg and get the Escalade. A Yukon starts probably at 70k so to the general public it’s not a 100k truck. An Escalade is…..

If I had the choice of a 101k Yukon or a 105k Escalade I’d get the Cadillac. I know the interior is also much more high end.

CarGurus - 2026 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4WD - $108,010

Black Raven with 5 miles. Automatic.

www.cargurus.com

That one should be able to be had for 105k. That is a luxury with air ride and mag.

It’s the Cadillac of trucks…. Literally! Lol

From my basic search looks like the expensive Escalades that are 130k have the premium luxury where the leather is premium grade and probably hand stitched by some guys name you can’t pronounce.

But even the standard Escalade interior is superior to the Yukon.

The one problem I could see is if your wife test drives an Escalade there may be no turning back!

ProfeZZor X · Mar 20, 2026

There's no shame in owning a GMC. I bought my AT4 because I wanted the standard upgrades of a GMC in comparison to a comparable Chevy High Country, but also didn't want chrome trim.

vcode · Mar 20, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
I see some 2026 Escalades for sale for 105k; they are too rich for me so I didn’t look at all the options. I thought they come standard with the air ride and mag ride. They should be loaded.

I spent 88k for my Tahoe but all I’m saying is that once you hit the 100k+ area might as well go big dawg and get the Escalade. A Yukon starts probably at 70k so to the general public it’s not a 100k truck. An Escalade is…..

If I had the choice of a 101k Yukon or a 105k Escalade I’d get the Cadillac. I know the interior is also much more high end.

CarGurus - 2026 Cadillac Escalade Luxury 4WD - $108,010

Black Raven with 5 miles. Automatic.

www.cargurus.com

That one should be able to be had for 105k. That is a luxury with air ride and mag.

It’s the Cadillac of trucks…. Literally! Lol

From my basic search looks like the expensive Escalades that are 130k have the premium luxury where the leather is premium grade and probably hand stitched by some guys name you can’t pronounce.

But even the standard Escalade interior is superior to the Yukon.

The one problem I could see is if your wife test drives an Escalade there may be no turning back!

That black Esky does not have air ride. Add $3950. $1325 for white, $1800 for 24's. Close to $115 or about $15 K more than the Denali with the Reserve package mentioned before.

ReaperHWK · Mar 21, 2026

vcode said:
That black Esky does not have air ride. Add $3950. $1325 for white, $1800 for 24's. Close to $115 or about $15 K more than the Denali with the Reserve package mentioned before.

I did look and seems like mag ride is standard but air ride is an option as you stated. Crazy it’s not standard on the Escalade to me.

Still, 100k is esky territory(to me). That’s all I was saying.

So what’s better a Yukon with air ride or an Escalade with everything else minus air ride? Hmmmmm

BacDoc · Mar 21, 2026

I really like the look of the Escalade and when I bought my Tahoe High Country I was shopping around.
With every option I got on the loaded High Country except Supercruise and 4WD the MSRP was low/mid $80k in 2024.

A similar optioned Escalade with air suspension, max trailer package iridescent white etc was 20% more, and the Escalade is nicer but not sure it is that much nicer.

I love my Tahoe but keep thinking I should have bought the Supercruise!

Saltydog · Mar 23, 2026

So I should have added a few details, we needed move relatively quickly before the Jeep broke again and needed to be a close drive as we are trading it in. So with that my options are really limited. We didn’t find many Escalades and the one we did find was 5k over sticker and no negotiation.

So yeah it was a tough situation..

So update, after working everything out, the Yukon should be home on Thursday. Waiting on the dealer to get the wheels and badges.

Wife is happy and I am happy to not have to deal with the Jeep anymore.

Saltydog · Mar 23, 2026

Will post Pics next week

Stbentoak · Mar 23, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
I did look and seems like mag ride is standard but air ride is an option as you stated. Crazy it’s not standard on the Escalade to me.

Still, 100k is esky territory(to me). That’s all I was saying.

So what’s better a Yukon with air ride or an Escalade with everything else minus air ride? Hmmmmm

Yep, and the biggest thing of all. You can't get a diesel in it anymore. With all the 5.3 and 6.2 conundrums. Not interested in anything but the Duramax. Plus, I don't really like drawing attention to myself. My ultimate is just as nice as an Escalade, Without all the questions of whether I'm a highly compensated sports figure or a rapper.

Saltydog · Mar 23, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
I did look and seems like mag ride is standard but air ride is an option as you stated. Crazy it’s not standard on the Escalade to me.

Still, 100k is esky territory(to me). That’s all I was saying.

I was thinking the same thing and the wife was ok looking at them but getting similar options resulted in 20-25k more.

I will say this, she is very happy to have a GMC again.

I am a little worried about the 6.2 but crossing my fingers. :drunk:

Saltydog · Mar 23, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
So what’s better a Yukon with air ride or an Escalade with everything else minus air ride? Hmmmmm

That is a good question, I personally think my wife would get annoyed with the huge screen as she is always saying how dumb and usless the passenger screen is on the Grand Wagoneer.

vcode · Mar 23, 2026

Stbentoak said:
Yep, and the biggest thing of all. You can't get a diesel in it anymore. With all the 5.3 and 6.2 conundrums. Not interested in anything but the Duramax. Plus, I don't really like drawing attention to myself. My ultimate is just as nice as an Escalade, Without all the questions of whether I'm a highly compensated sports figure or a rapper.

I've not heard of any real issues with the current gen 5.3L.

ReaperHWK · Mar 23, 2026

Saltydog said:
I was thinking the same thing and the wife was ok looking at them but getting similar options resulted in 20-25k more.

I will say this, she is very happy to have a GMC again.

I am a little worried about the 6.2 but crossing my fingers.

I just bought a 6.2 Tahoe and it’s been great so far. Only 4000 miles but hasn’t eaten 1 ounce of oil. Did the AFM, start stop disable, and a catch can.

Saltydog · Mar 27, 2026

Brought her home today!

ReaperHWK · Mar 27, 2026

Saltydog said:
Brought her home today!

Looks great. I really like the white with black wheels. Sharp.

Saltydog · Mar 27, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
Looks great. I really like the white with black wheels. Sharp.

Thank you, I am pretty happy with how it looks, more importantly the wife is happy.

Now just getting used to all new layout. I just figured out the garage door opener in the screen, I got working, but I kinda feel like physical buttons are better for that sorta thing.

BlackHC2025 · Mar 27, 2026

Very nice Yukon! FYI, each of those wheels and tire combos weigh 100 pounds. Love the 24" wheels with the air ride but they are heavy to rotate yourself. Make sure you get the wheel lock key; it is different. I bought an extra, just in case; $38.00 plus tax and shipping.

vcode · Mar 27, 2026

BlackHC2025 said:
Very nice Yukon! FYI, each of those wheels and tire combos weigh 100 pounds. Love the 24" wheels with the air ride but they are heavy to rotate yourself. Make sure you get the wheel lock key; it is different. I bought an extra, just in case; $38.00 plus tax and shipping.

I could wreck those rims within a mile of my house...... LOL!

Saltydog · Mar 28, 2026

Got the windows tint with 18% ceramic, really brings out the black

Saltydog · Mar 28, 2026

Also started coating this absolutely beautiful paint! This color is absolutely worth every penny!

Test Drove a 26 HC

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