Coming from Navigator...what should I buy? Denali Ultimate vs escalade??

[clemsondds]

Hey everyone, a guy hydroplaned and hit us at 70mph and totaled our navigator. I wasn't too impressed with the ride of the navigator and plus I think they are doing a redesign for 2025...so I would rather hold off till then. So I'm thinking of getting either a yukon xl denali ulitmate or an escalade. Really would like massage seats and retractable running boards. Any suggestions? I hate to pay over $110k since my wife is just going to put tons of miles on it...but she is use to the luxury of the navigator and so it will be hard to talk her into going into much less. Will be purchasing new. Seems like there's quite a few issues with the yukons...have most of the problems been worked out for the '23/24 model? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! This will be my first gmc/cadillac. Thanks again!

 

[StephenPT]

What are the features your wife likes most about the Navigator?

Probably best to go to a dealer, sit in both and see what she thinks - Denali Ultimate is a nice rig, but the Escalade takes it to another level.

Yukon issues have been mostly related to OTA updates causing dead batteries, gas engine lifter failures, infotainment glitches and other miscellaneous tech features not working all the time.

 

[Stbentoak]

If I could afford it, the only new offering I would consider is a Duramax Escalade. Other wise....I'd head for another maker.
But of course, these are rare as hen's teeth.....

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Agree, go check them out, there are starting to be some sitting at dealers now. If all you can muster is the lowest trim Escalade, I’d go Denali. If you can get to mid or upper trim Escalade, then I think that is nicer. One thing to check, call your insurance agent and quote both models; I think the Escalade is significantly more costly to insure (is a bigger theft target).

Also, as you are considering value, recall that the Caddi’s have a one year longer and 14,000 mile longer B2b warranty. And a 6 year 70k mile powertrain warranty…may be worth it with the miles wifey puts on.

 

[clemsondds]

Agree, go check them out, there are starting to be some sitting at dealers now. If all you can muster is the lowest trim Escalade, I’d go Denali. If you can get to mid or upper trim Escalade, then I think that is nicer. One thing to check, call your insurance agent and quote both models; I think the Escalade is significantly more costly to insure (is a bigger theft target).

Also, as you are considering value, recall that the Caddi’s have a one year longer and 14,000 mile longer B2b warranty. And a 6 year 70k mile powertrain warranty…may be worth it with the miles wifey puts on.

That's a good point. I was comparing the denali ultimate and the escalade. When building them on their websites, it looks like I would have to get an Escalade platinum in order to get massage seats and retractable steps...that starts at $119k. I got a feeling after my wife puts 60k on it in 4 years...that it will be worth no more than $60k...I just hate losing that much money in a few years. Money isn't an issue really...it's just principle.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Note also that you have to get a package or move to the sport trim on the Caddy to get Magnetic Ride control...
And the lower trim "Premium" Has "Interluxe" seat trim, which is code for synthetic leather. You can get a package that Upbrades you I think, but have to get to Premium Luxury to get real leather...and then even higher to get better grades of leather...

 

[chrisbusnut]

I'd go with the Denali Ultimate. I have the Ultimate on my 2024 Sierra HD, and love the interior. I decided against the Ultimate on my Yukon (I didn't want two identical interiors), so bought the Denali Reserve Package instead, which comes with the power running boards (but no massaging seats). I'm not sure where you are located, but Escalades are still hard to get here, and also very expensive (I believe at least some dealers are still charging mark-up on them). The way it was explained to me, the Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade are all produced on the same assembly line, and for each Escalade produced, a much larger number of Tahoes and Yukons are produced. I had a brand new 2023 Escalade as a rental last summer (it was pretty much a base model, though), and although impressed with it, it just wasn't worth the premium to me over a Yukon Denali. As far as issues go, I'm hoping and assuming that most of the bugs have been worked out for what is assumably the last model year for these vehicles before a mid generation refresh.

 

[Tinbadtin]

Luxury anything and low depreciation doesn’t exist unfortunately. If you want the lowest depreciation on a GM SUV you may need to look at a base model Suburban… your wife will likely disapprove so that extra 40k remember you’re spending on her

 

[tom3]

New Corvette?

 

[mplunk]

The Denali Ultimate is nice, but the Escalade is really a step above when it comes to luxury.

 

[KMeloney]

The various design cues that differentiate the Denali from the Escalade are... pretty different. Personally, I prefer the look of the Denali over the Escalade, from the front end treatment to the chrome/accent pieces behind the second row window and the extension of the chrome over the rear widows [on the Denali]. By the same token, I know that plenty of people hate the massive Denali grill, might be more concerned with the interior vs the exterior, etc.

Certainly you've got a preference as to the appearances, right?

 

[blackelky]

I'd get a certified escalade. Let someone else take the depreciation hit.

 

[ninjaplumber]

I have both, a 21 Escalade and a 23 Ultimate. Both have exact same drivetrain and suspension.
Escalade: I hate the shifter. The only thing I dislike is the center console. The shifter takes up to much room and leaves very little storage space.
Things I love. The center cooler works great. I always have a 6 pack of cold water! LOL
The speaker system sounds great in my opinion.
Ultimate: Stereo does not sound nearly as good. Comfort exactly the same. I bought the car because my wife said she loved it. Now she says it is to big. What the real problem for her is it seems to sit higher but I believe it is the way the front hood is made. It is harder for her to see over.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I have both, a 21 Escalade and a 23 Ultimate. Both have exact same drivetrain and suspension.
Escalade: I hate the shifter. The only thing I dislike is the center console. The shifter takes up to much room and leaves very little storage space.
Things I love. The center cooler works great. I always have a 6 pack of cold water! LOL
The speaker system sounds great in my opinion.
Ultimate: Stereo does not sound nearly as good. Comfort exactly the same. I bought the car because my wife said she loved it. Now she says it is to big. What the real problem for her is it seems to sit higher but I believe it is the way the front hood is made. It is harder for her to see over.

Sitting those things side by side, I just love how the Denali looks...way meaner, way more in your face, way more "I'm a big bad truck." Some don't love the Denali grill, and thats cool..but if you showed me both those side by side, I'd pick the Denali every time...I also know I am in the minority these days, but I really don't like the blackout look, and Esclade seems to be all about the blackout...but hey, this is why they make 31 flavors of ice cream, we don't all love the same things.

 

[Marty_S]

Yukon Denali approaches the luxo cocoon my 98 Land Rover Discovery wrapped me in. It never left me stranded but did pour water through both sunroofs in the ride along car wash.

 

[Marty_S]

Sitting those things side by side, I just love how the Denali looks...way meaner, way more in your face, way more "I'm a big bad truck." Some don't love the Denali grill, and thats cool..but if you showed me both those side by side, I'd pick the Denali every time...I also know I am in the minority these days, but I really don't like the blackout look, and Esclade seems to be all about the blackout...but hey, this is why they make 31 flavors of ice cream, we don't all love the same things.

Gnarly Yes, Truck No, it is a wagon.

 

[charheep]

Denali you can find with a second row bench. Cadillac I believe it is not an option. I love my bench Denali, I just dont like captain chairs

 

[Doubeleive]

That's a good point. I was comparing the denali ultimate and the escalade. When building them on their websites, it looks like I would have to get an Escalade platinum in order to get massage seats and retractable steps...that starts at $119k. I got a feeling after my wife puts 60k on it in 4 years...that it will be worth no more than $60k...I just hate losing that much money in a few years. Money isn't an issue really...it's just principle.

that's par for the course,
just think you could buy almost 6 new 2025 sedans for the same price, almost one for every day of the week lol
you'll have to excuse me i'm poor, I have buy mine at 5 years old after they have lost 50% or more of there value already
good luck! happy wife happy life

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I have both, a 21 Escalade and a 23 Ultimate. Both have exact same drivetrain and suspension.
Escalade: I hate the shifter. The only thing I dislike is the center console. The shifter takes up to much room and leaves very little storage space.
Things I love. The center cooler works great. I always have a 6 pack of cold water! LOL
The speaker system sounds great in my opinion.
Ultimate: Stereo does not sound nearly as good. Comfort exactly the same. I bought the car because my wife said she loved it. Now she says it is to big. What the real problem for her is it seems to sit higher but I believe it is the way the front hood is made. It is harder for her to see over.

Hey Ninja, just cuirious, is there a difference in insurance cost between the two?

 

[PPV_2018]

that's par for the course,
…
you'll have to excuse me i'm poor, I have buy mine at 5 years old after they have lost 50% or more of there value already
good luck! happy wife happy life

Some may say “poor”
Others may say “wise”