Looking To Join The Club... Denali, or Escalade??

[Not_Far_From_Par]

Looking to get into a comfortable, yet reliable DD to replace my TJ Wrangler...
I searched for a while before purchasing the TJ, but it's just not for me...
Guess i'm getting too old for such an uncomfortable rig!
Plus I'd like to be able to pull my enclosed trailer with a DD, instead of my Superduty...
So to those that have a good break down of each... which is the way to go??
Denali looks to be a hair cheaper, but price is hardly the issue...
I've settled on the 03-06ish years of either...
Possible 07+ for the right deal to gain 6.2l
Would love to hear what you seasoned owners have for feedback!!


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[adventurenali92]

The Denali and the Escalade are both capable vehicles! It really boils down to what you can’t live without in a vehicle. Do you have to have that extra wood trim? Lol If you’re looking at the GMT800 platform(2003-2006 Escalade and Denali) there aren’t a lot of major differences in the two, except the engine option. The Denali has the LQ4 6.0 and the Escalade has the LQ9 6.0, a tad more powerful but not a major difference. I’ve always wanted an Escalade, but when I bought my Denali at 23 I decided I didn’t absolutely need an Escalade at 23. So I went Denali and I don’t regret it at all. I’ve added a lot of Escalade like features, and even some of the features that were factory optioned only on the Escalade, like the roof rack, third tail light, the gauge cluster and such.

 

[RRWW]

I've had an 04 Denali XL, 04 Escalade base, and now have a 12 Escalade Platinum I like the creature comforts and a smooth ride.

Most differences between the two are cosmetic on the 02-06. Tad more power with the Escalade but the XL Denali towed better because of wheelbase.

I ran the 04 Escalade up to 225k miles and the Denali up to 285k miles. I'd call both vehicles reliable with normal repairs for the milage nothing major.

There is a world of difference moving up to the 6.2 as far as towing it's wayyy better. Transmission also helps this.

12' Escalade with factory 22's rides considerbly better then the older body style.

How big of trailer are you going to tow?

If you live in the Frozen North heated steering wheel is nice on the newer trucks. The cooled seats also are quite nice in the summer.

Both are great vehicles - can't go wrong either way

 

[adriver]

The denali is AWD, The escalade is RWD or AWD. They are both also cosmetically improved inside and out, which do you like?
As for a DAILY, basing this only off what I have read, and I have never been in an 07+, I hear the 99-06 has better seats.
The 07+ Tahoes can be found pretty cheap under many govt auctions if thats your type and know how to search to find em. The 6.2 is about 30 lb ft and 30 hp more than the escalade 6.0. You can equal that out with a tune.

 

[Not_Far_From_Par]

I actually really like the look of the Denali up to 07... always have
Not too concerned with the slightest of power difference, as i'm only going to pull a small 12x7 aluminum enclosed trailer which I keep my golf cart in

I already own a 6.7 Superduty & pull a 41'Toy Hauler with it

Denali seems to be the route to go for me
Problem in my neck of the woods (E.Washington desert) is finding one that IS NOT an XL

Hoping to pick something up within a few weeks



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[adventurenali92]

As mentioned above, the GMT800 Escalade did have a rear wheel drive option but I think those were only made in 2002. I think from 2003-2006 they were all AWD, and if it was a RWD vehicle there were only a handful and few and far between. That being said my AWD is quite capable. Also to put it out there, the longer wheel base has better ride quality and is also a lot more stable while towing. Just my opinion.

 

[Not_Far_From_Par]

As mentioned above, the GMT800 Escalade did have a rear wheel drive option but I think those were only made in 2002. I think from 2003-2006 they were all AWD, and if it was a RWD vehicle there were only a handful and few and far between. That being said my AWD is quite capable. Also to put it out there, the longer wheel base has better ride quality and is also a lot more stable while towing. Just my opinion.

Agreed, but my trailer being only 12x7 & aluminum, only weighs 970 lbs dry...
Cart is appx 1k lb
So the long wheelbase IMO is not necessary
But I will test drive one to see if I like the ride quality better, as I am going for comfort

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[Doubeleive]

2010-2014 Denali is a good choice, I am not sure if someone was confused above or if I was in reading the comments but the 07+ Denali is available in 2wd or AWD

 

[mikeyss]

The 6.2 is about 30 lb ft and 30 hp more than the escalade 6.0.

Try again...
LQ9 6.0 was 345 horsepower, 380 lb ft
L92, L9H, L94 6.2, all have 403 horsepower, 417 lb ft

 

[Tide]

Looking to get into a comfortable, yet reliable DD to replace my TJ Wrangler...
I searched for a while before purchasing the TJ, but it's just not for me...
Guess i'm getting too old for such an uncomfortable rig!
Plus I'd like to be able to pull my enclosed trailer with a DD, instead of my Superduty...
So to those that have a good break down of each... which is the way to go??
Denali looks to be a hair cheaper, but price is hardly the issue...
I've settled on the 03-06ish years of either...
Possible 07+ for the right deal to gain 6.2l
Would love to hear what you seasoned owners have for feedback!!


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Either will do what you need.
What trim is your 6.7? I just got out of a lariat and wished I had gotten a platinum/KR from the get go. With that mentality the cadi is a no brainer over the Denali.


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[Not_Far_From_Par]

Either will do what you need.
What trim is your 6.7? I just got out of a lariat and wished I had gotten a platinum/KR from the get go. With that mentality the cadi is a no brainer over the Denali.


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I just have a Lariat
Had all I needed
Going to look at a few rigs today on my way home, but i'm actually leaning towards the Denali over the Escalade, unless something really jumps out at me

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[adriver]

Try again...
LQ9 6.0 was 345 horsepower, 380 lb ft
L92, L9H, L94 6.2, all have 403 horsepower, 417 lb ft

I did a quick search and saw 380hp on the 6.2, but I think that was a projected number.. Ok.

 

[adriver]

As mentioned above, the GMT800 Escalade did have a rear wheel drive option but I think those were only made in 2002. I think from 2003-2006 they were all AWD, and if it was a RWD vehicle there were only a handful and few and far between. That being said my AWD is quite capable. Also to put it out there, the longer wheel base has better ride quality and is also a lot more stable while towing. Just my opinion.

AWD was an option. You can find RWD 2002-2006. When searching though they are more rare than RWD, (from what I see I would guess about 1/4 are RWD). I'm thinking dealers ordered em that way, because its an "ESCALADE!!!!!", and people will pay more for those exclamation marks, and just because. I'm guessing if OP is up in Washington, they probably want AWD anyways.

 

[swathdiver]

I did a quick search and saw 380hp on the 6.2, but I think that was a projected number.. Ok.

The Yukons were rated at 380HP for the first two years while the same engine in the Cadillac was rated for 403. Tuning or marketing? IDK.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

L92, L9H, L94 6.2, all have 403 horsepower, 417 lb ft

Damn. Now I want one.

 

[mikeyss]

I've read up on the 380 horsepower 6.2, but it was found it was just marketing to make the Escalade seem higher class than the Denali back in 07-08 when 6.2 was first coming out. But how they advertised it was 380hp @ 4000 rpm for the Denali sales sheet, and 403hp @ 5200 rpm for the Escalade sheet. Of course at the higher rpm is where peak power is. These aren't exact RPM numbers, I was using it as an example of what the marketers did. That is what I found through a lot of reading, and it makes sense.

 

[mikeyss]

I did a quick search and saw 380hp on the 6.2, but I think that was a projected number.. Ok.

Sorry if I came off like a dick, I was too quick to reply, and forgot that some sources say there were detuned 6.2's out there. They were all rated the same 403hp from the get-go, but in 07-08, GM may have been insecure that people would spend 20k less on a Denali with the same mighty Escalade engine. So they say Escalade made 20hp more at a higher advertised RPM, so that the Escalade would still seem superior. But we all know, they all ride on the same platform and share 98% of the parts.

 

[adriver]

Sorry if I came off like a dick, I was too quick to reply, and forgot that some sources say there were detuned 6.2's out there. They were all rated the same 403hp from the get-go, but in 07-08, GM may have been insecure that people would spend 20k less on a Denali with the same mighty Escalade engine. So they say Escalade made 20hp more at a higher advertised RPM, so that the Escalade would still seem superior. But we all know, they all ride on the same platform and share 98% of the parts.

BIGGEST..... *******...… NO-where... Didn't think it.

Interesting though.

 

[adventurenali92]

Interesting thought. When I was looking to buy, every Denali and Escalade, both standard and long wheel base trucks that I found, were AWD. None that I found down here in Southern California were RWD in the Escalades. Lol

 

[adriver]

Every Denali is AWD AFAIK. I have heard someone on here say that's not true, that the Denalis came in RWD too. I've seen a couple (online) that have been converted to RWD, but I've never seen one that came that way.