‘24 Escalade ESV Sport vs ‘26 XL Denali Reserve (WWYD?)

[JayceeP]

I have the opportunity to buy a 2024 Escalade ESV Sport with Onyx and Touring packages. In service was mid 2024 and has less than 14,000 miles so lots of factory warranty left because Cadillac has an extra year over GM warranty. Has the 3.0 diesel LM2 and videos look good. It’s clean except for a dent above the rear wheel well that needs to be fixed.

Or I can factory order a ‘26 Yukon XL Denali w/ reserve package and capability package to get adaptive air ride suspension. It would have the 3.0 diesel LZ0.

Roughly speaking, the price of these two vehicles will be the same, and Denali could be slightly more (maybe a couple thousand), but I also have to travel much farther to get the Escalade so I feel like those 2 points wash themselves out but still a slight premium to buy the Denali locally unless I can really squeeze on the factory order discount.

I’m going to be trading in my ‘24 XL SLT with Premium/Luxury package and it has the 3.0 diesel LM2.

Thoughts? Take the nicer interior of the Escalade and still have a decent amount of warranty left? Or go brand new. Most features will be the same but I know the Escalade has a more premium interior and a better sound system which I do value. Both have Super Cruise, power running boards, adaptive air ride etc. believe the Escalade has augmented reality but need to confirm (whatever lol).

 

[Stbentoak]

That's a tough call. But I would probably always opt for the newer vehicle. It just gets you that much further down the road, trade in wise or value wise. Escalades are sharp, but their value just drops like a rock. I will say though that an Escalade with a diesel in it IS a Unicorn and is pretty highly desirable. If they would fix the dent and make the thing pretty pristine, I surely would strongly consider it at the right price..... It also would have to have an impeccable service record and at least two oil changes, if not 3, by now.

 

[JayceeP]

That's a tough call. But I would probably always opt for the newer vehicle. It just gets you that much further down the road, trade in wise or value wise. Escalades are sharp, but their value just drops like a rock. I will say though that an Escalade with a diesel in it IS a Unicorn and is pretty highly desirable. If they would fix the dent and make the thing pretty pristine, I surely would strongly consider it at the right price..... It also would have to have an impeccable service record and at least two oil changes, if not 3, by now.

I know… I sort of agree and am with you. And hey there are always informative forum posters like you on here that I get to bug all the time. Not many Escalade guys hanging around here.

 

[Roadglide16]

For me this is an easy decision, I would go with the new Yukon Denali.

 

[JayceeP]

For me this is an easy decision, I would go with the new Yukon Denali.

Interesting! Any key drivers of your choice?

 

[Tahoe14]

Never had a Cadillac but they are very nice looking. As you stated they have features that no other brand has. I like buying slightly used as I feel you save money letting someone else take depreciation on the new one. If it is GM certified or you can get them to certify it that is an extra bonus with an extra 12 months/12,000 mile warranty with the already extra Cadillac warranty. As stbentoak said have them fix the small dent. PDR if possible so they don’t mess with the paint and good service records I would go for the Cadillac. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Roadglide16]

Interesting! Any key drivers of your choice?

This is just me, but recently I've seen a lot of low mileage newer Escalades on the lots. Just take a look at the Cadillac Forum and will you see the number of issues going with the new Escalades. Electrical, etc.

You never know the true or real history of a vehicle that shows up on a dealer lot. Unless, you are buying it from a person you know and has taken care of the vehicle. You cannot really trust a Carfax report. I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a used vehicle, and it gives you trouble.

With the new Yukon you get any incentives and full warranty. I also found out that my insurance is less expensive with the Yukon.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[JayceeP]

This is just me, but recently I've seen a lot of low mileage newer Escalades on the lots. Just take a look at the Cadillac Forum and will you see the number of issues going with the new Escalades. Electrical, etc.

You never know the true or real history of a vehicle that shows up on a dealer lot. Unless, you are buying it from a person you know and has taken care of the vehicle. You cannot really trust a Carfax report. I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a used vehicle, and it gives you trouble.

With the new Yukon you get any incentives and full warranty. I also found out that my insurance is less expensive with the Yukon.

Best of luck with your decision.

Great points. I’m super particular about my vehicles like you guys. Sure it’s only 14,000 miles (22,000jm) but I have no idea if they serviced it properly. And for whatever reason, being diesel makes me more skiddish of someone looking after it.

Still a tough call - I’m kinda leaning toward Denali. Would love to get the Ultimate but hard to justify the extra $15,000+ especially with luxury tax in Canada. Such a scam.

 

[noob]

I would get the Denali b/c full factory warranty, it's totally new, and the updates they gave It makes for a big screen and pretty much every feature an escalade has besides AR. The quad exhaust is nice. I have a 24 escalade and honestly NEVER use the AR, but use super cruise often.

 

[JayceeP]

Interesting response @noob. Thank you.

I’m surprised/not surprised by the early feedback so far.

 

[noob]

Interesting response @noob. Thank you.

I’m surprised/not surprised by the early feedback so far.

Don't get me wrong, the escalade gets more "respect" on the street. So if you're looking for "status" The escalade is for you. I actually owned 3 escalades. And this time around was going to go AT4 or Z71 suburban. And my wife told me get the Escalade b/c she rather me spend a little more and be happy than get that and be upset I don't have all the doodads.

But I think all Denali's have 360 cam, heated/cooled seats, pano roof, etc. And honestly I went with a premium luxury over a sport b/c my last escalade had magnaride and I had to change it twice in the front and once in the rear all within 100k miles. And this time I didn't want to go through the same, and went with the more traditional suspension Which I've been happy with.

 

[ducfan]

I picked up a '26 Denali Reserve in September. Very happy with it. I would take it over a couple-year-old anything. The suspension is incredible; I pulled a 6200 lb trailer with it, and truck just shrugged it off like no big deal. MPG average is 22 over the 2600 miles I have driven it, including the 500 mile trip with the trailer in tow.

If I could have avoided the executive middle row (I was not given the choice), I definitely would opt out of that. These seats are very comfortable, but don't fold down.

 

[JayceeP]

I picked up a '26 Denali Reserve in September. Very happy with it. I would take it over a couple-year-old anything. The suspension is incredible; I pulled a 6200 lb trailer with it, and truck just shrugged it off like no big deal. MPG average is 22 over the 2600 miles I have driven it, including the 500 mile trip with the trailer in tow.

If I could have avoided the executive middle row (I was not given the choice), I definitely would opt out of that. These seats are very comfortable, but don't fold down.

Agreed. Annoying they force captain chairs on this configuration. Would prefer a bench too. Assume you got the diesel.

 

[noob]

Agreed. Annoying they force captain chairs on this configuration. Would prefer a bench too. Assume you got the diesel.

Executive package, is seats like the front. Where they don't fold at all. they recline, heated/cooled massaging. And if it's like the Escalade has a center console with airline style flip out tables

 

[JayceeP]

Executive package, is seats like the front. Where they don't fold at all. they recline, heated/cooled massaging. And if it's like the Escalade has a center console with airline style flip out tables

Oh! I didn’t know that’s an option on the Denali reserve. At least in Canada. I didn’t see it on the build specs for options and that would definitely be a deal breaker for me.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I would also call your insurance man. My gut says the Escalade costs a bit more to insure...it is one of the most stolen vehicles...you might get a surprise after purchase if you don't at least ask.

 

[noob]

I would also call your insurance man. My gut says the Escalade costs a bit more to insure...it is one of the most stolen vehicles...you might get a surprise after purchase if you don't at least ask.

Don't know if it's still accurate, but when I bought my first escalade, it cost more to insure the Tahoe than the escalade. Apparently the reasoning is, the escalade is mostly owned by 60+ year old that drive slow.

 

[JayceeP]

Thanks guys. I’m continuing the factory order discussion. Just need to sort out my trade as I’m being offered much less than what it would sell for. Anyway, typical stuff lol.

Any of you guys stateside in the north east want to buy my Yukon for $60k USD? She’s mint! (Not selling the black wheels)

 

[ducfan]

Agreed. Annoying they force captain chairs on this configuration. Would prefer a bench too. Assume you got the diesel.

Yes, I only wanted the LZ0. The only option made available to me was color.

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

Don't know if it's still accurate, but when I bought my first escalade, it cost more to insure the Tahoe than the escalade. Apparently the reasoning is, the escalade is mostly owned by 60+ year old that drive slow.

My memories of the Escalade are it was the favorite of the rap-music crowd for quite some time.

The newer ones I see in my rural area are driven by middle-age women.