Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Chevrolet TAHOE VS 2016 Cadillac Escalade Near Scottsdale, AZ

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tahoe LT’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escalade doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Tahoe and the Escalade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tahoe’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Tahoe has a standard 720-amp battery. The Escalade’s 660-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Tahoe’s reliability will be 161% better than the Escalade.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe third among large suvs in their 2015 Initial Quality Study. The Escalade isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 7th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

On the EPA test cycle the Tahoe gets better fuel mileage than the Escalade:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Tahoe uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Escalade requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Tahoe stops much shorter than the Escalade:

The Tahoe LT handles at .77 G’s, while the Escalade 4x4 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Chevrolet Tahoe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade.

The Tahoe offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Escalade can only carry up to 8.

The Tahoe has .1 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Escalade.

The Tahoe’s cargo area provides more volume than the Escalade.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Tahoe. The Escalade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Insurance will cost less for the Tahoe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tahoe will cost $2584 to $4110 less than the Escalade over a five-year period.

The Tahoe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the Tahoe will retain 52.87% to 54.73% of its original price after five years, while the Escalade only retains 45.75% to 50.51%.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Tahoe will be $21641 to $28714 less than for the Cadillac Escalade.

The Chevrolet Tahoe won two awards in Kiplinger’s 2015 car issue. The Cadillac Escalade didn't win any award.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe second among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Escalade isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Chevrolet Tahoe outsold the Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV by almost four to one during the 2015 model year.