Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2009 Cadillac ESCALADE VS 2009 GMC Yukon Near Scottsdale, AZ

Both the Escalade and the Yukon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all-wheel drive.

The Escalade comes with a full 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The Yukon’s 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

The Escalade’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Yukon runs out after 100,000 miles.

The Escalade has more powerful engines than the Yukon:

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade V8 is faster than the GMC Yukon:

The Escalade stops much shorter than the Yukon:

For better traction, the Escalade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Yukon (285/45R22 vs. 275/55R20).

The Escalade’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio), which provides a stiffer sidewall than the Yukon’s standard 70 series tires. The Escalade’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Yukon’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Yukon.

The Escalade 4x4 handles at .74 G’s, while the Yukon Denali 4x4 pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Escalade 4x4 goes through Motor Trend’s slalom faster than the Yukon Denali 4x4 (57.2 vs. 56.7 MPH).

The front step up height for the Escalade is 1.5 inches lower than the Yukon (20.2” vs. 21.7”).

The Escalade’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Yukon, and is not be available on all models.

The Escalade’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Yukon’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Escalade’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Yukon’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high-beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Escalade detect other vehicles, which could be blinded and automatically switch to low-beams. The Yukon doesn’t offer automatic dimming high-beams.

The Escalade’s standard heated front seats keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. The Yukon SLE doesn’t offer heated seats.

Insurance will cost less for the Escalade owner. The Car Book rates the Escalade with a number 3 insurance rate while the Yukon is rated higher at a number 8 rate.

The Escalade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that the Escalade will retain 46.31% to 47.36% of its original price after five years, while the Yukon only retains 35.8% to 45.05%.