GMC Yukon vs Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 GMC Yukon aimed to command attention with its extensive use of chrome, especially on the Denali trim. Starting with the base SLE model, chrome accents lent a sense of premium appeal. The Denali raised the stakes with its front end almost entirely covered in chrome, featuring a massive, multi-dimensional grille resembling an industrial cheese grater. This styling choice granted the Yukon a unique and commanding presence. Signature C-shaped headlights flanked the chrome-heavy grille, adding to its bold look. Our test Denali also showcased 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, which complemented the dark Redwood Metallic paint beautifully. The AT4 trim, designed for off-road enthusiasts, sported a distinct dark grille, skid plate, and horizontal red recovery hooks, giving it a rugged appearance.

Inside, the Yukon was spacious and tastefully crafted, accommodating up to eight passengers comfortably, or seven with available second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim offered four exclusive interior design options, with our test vehicle featuring a luxurious Teak/Light Shale color combo. Contrasting stitching and natural wood details further elevated the Denali's interior. The AT4 variant boasted a Jet Black interior with AT4-exclusive Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum details, as well as embroidered headrest badging, reinforcing its bespoke nature.

In comparison, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood tall at nearly six-and-a-half feet and extended up to 19 feet in length, especially in its larger ESV version. Cadillac's design trickery made this behemoth look athletic and trim, with thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights creating a visually narrow profile. The Sport Platinum trim darkened its chrome components, lending it a more composed appearance. Cadillac's design ethos gave the Escalade a proud presence, and six trims with 22-inch wheels added to its grandeur. Also noteworthy was the grand lighting sequence performed by the three-foot-tall taillights when unlocking the SUV.

Inside, the Escalade’s front row appeared exceptionally rich, featuring a curved array of 38-inch screens edged in leather and high-quality wood trims. The base Luxury model had leatherette upholstery, while other trims offered versatile leather combinations, some with intricate perforation patterns. Despite some shared components with cheaper GM models, such as the infotainment controls and flat second-and-third-row seats, the front row provided a luxurious feel. Cadillac offered a wool-like fabric in certain trims, while three grille designs and options like the black honeycomb mesh on the Sport trims further differentiated the variants.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices. The standard 5.3-liter V8 on the SLE, SLT, and AT4 variants produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and utilized fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation technology. The Denali trim and optional AT4 featured a more powerful 6.2-liter V8 generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine was available, except on the AT4, providing 460 pound-feet of torque and excellent fuel economy. This engine, known as the "Baby Duramax," enabled the Yukon to travel up to 648 miles on a tank. A 10-speed automatic transmission paired with all engines, and rear-wheel drive was standard with four-wheel drive as an optional feature. The off-road-oriented AT4 had an approach angle of nearly 32 degrees, thanks to its unique front styling and skid plate.

On the towing front, the Yukon could tow up to 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine, RWD, and the Max Trailering Package. The Denali, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, could tow up to 8,200 pounds. Despite the exhaust note’s hearty growl, it didn’t quite match the sonorous Infiniti QX80’s Endurance V8. The redesigned independent rear suspension improved handling and provided a smoother ride, particularly for third-row passengers. However, our test Yukon exhibited some bouncing over rough pavement, despite an overall smooth and quiet ride on highways. The optional air ride adaptive suspension proved beneficial, allowing the vehicle to raise two inches for better ground clearance during off-roading.

Comparatively, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Despite the muscle-car sound, it provided a relatively gentle cruising experience, with fuel-saving cylinder shutoff helping achieve a combined 16 mpg in the standard length model with optional 4WD. The Escalade's 10-speed automatic transmission performed adequately but lacked the sprightliness found in competitors like the Grand Wagoneer and Navigator. For thrill-seekers, the Escalade-V, equipped with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivered 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque, significantly enhancing acceleration.

Additionally, Cadillac offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, praised for its smooth torque delivery and better fuel economy at 22 mpg with 4WD. The 4WD system in the Escalade, although rudimentary, worked well for off-road conditions. Magnetic dampers and air suspension, available on higher trims, minimized body roll and improved maneuverability.

The redesign of the 2022 GMC Yukon addressed previous deficiencies, particularly in third-row space, increasing legroom from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches. This achievement, alongside maintaining ample cargo volume, resulted from a five-inch wheelbase stretch, additional overall length, and a move to independent rear suspension. Cargo space behind the third row rose to 25.5 cubic feet, up from 15.3 cubic feet previously.

Second-row seats folded flat, with power options easing access to the third row. Our test Denali had power-folding second-row buckets and power-fold-flat third-row seats, enhancing practicality. The Denali also featured a novel power-sliding center console with hidden storage. Power-retractable, illuminated assist steps and pushbutton transmission controls added convenience, albeit with a learning curve for new users.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted superior space efficiency with 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second, and a massive 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The ESV variant offered even more room, maxing out at 143 cubic feet. Generous headroom and legroom across all rows ensured comfort for six adults. The Escalade’s independent rear suspension prevented intrusion into the cabin, optimizing space. Straightforward controls and a smart infotainment system enhanced the driving experience. Optional features included a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps. The air suspension lowered the vehicle for easier loading and unloading, and a separate glass window in the tailgate added convenience, particularly for pet owners.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with a respectable suite of technological features. The 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, positioned between the primary gauges, displayed phone, audio, and navigation information controlled via the steering wheel. Despite some challenges with the roller control, the system presented information logically. A class-leading 15-inch head-up display in the Denali and AT4 provided driving speed, speed limit, audio, and safety information, including an off-road inclinometer.

A 10.2-inch touchscreen atop the center stack housed the standard infotainment system with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and more. However, the Bose 14-speaker audio system underwhelmed in sound quality. The Denali Ultimate Package included a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens, compatible with various media formats but requiring adapters for mobile devices.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured OLED screens across the dash, known for their sharpness and clarity. A high-resolution front camera enabled augmented reality navigation directly within the driver’s view, outperforming similar systems in Mercedes and BMW models. Super Cruise, an option at $2,500, provided the best hands-free driving experience, surpassing Tesla’s system in capability and safety measures. Night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats emphasized Cadillac’s focus on luxury technology. The rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, and the optional air suspension and bright LED headlights added further sophistication.

The 2022 GMC Yukon included GMC's Pro Safety suite with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. The Pro Safety Plus package, available on SLE and standard on SLT and above, added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Safety Alert Seat and adjustable rear camera mirror further enhanced safety. NHTSA awarded the Yukon a four-star overall rating, with specific scores of four stars in front crash protection, five in side crash protection, and three in rollover resistance. IIHS had not tested the Yukon at the time.

Similarly, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection in frontal crashes and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors, a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features like reverse emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, Super Cruise, and blind-spot monitoring expanded safety measures. However, occasional erroneous stops during reverse emergency braking were noted.