Yukon vs Escalade

There are a few choices when it comes to luxury SUVs, but for the money you absolutely cannot beat the 2024 GMC Yukon. With a choice of gas and diesel engines, regular or longer wheelbase, GM Super Cruise, smart safety tech, the highest grade luxury, and ultrasmart towing features, the question becomes: why would you spend so much money on an Escalade when the Yukon has the same for less?

Base Prices

The 2024 Cadillac Escalade has a base MSRP of $81,895 while the GMC Yukon comes in at $58,200. The big Caddy has more standard luxury than the Yukon, however once you start ticking the boxes to add more amenities, the Cadillac quickly becomes much more expensive than the Yukon. For this argument, we should compare the Yukon Denali with the Escalade. The Yukon Denali has a base price of $77,300. 

Engine Choices

For the $77,300 base price of the GMC Yukon Denali buyers get a choice of a 6.2-liter Eco-Tec V8 that produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Size Differences

If buyers so choose, just like the Escalade, they can option their Yukon as either a standard wheelbase or the long wheelbase XL, which adds space behind the 3rd row from 25.5 cu.ft.in the Yukon to 41.5 cu.ft in the Yukon XL. 

Towing Ability & Technology

The Yukon and Yukon XL are able to tow 8,200 and 8,100 lbs, respectively. Thanks to advanced features, they are the best full-size SUVs for towing. For $465 Yukon buyers can choose the Max Trailering Package, which then gives you the ProGrade Trailering System package for free, and the $750 Enhanced Trailering Technology Package. With these three options the Yukon receives Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, Trailer brake controller, Smart Trailer Integration Indicator, Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, ProGrade Trailering System content, Enhanced cooling radiator, Trailer Tire Pressure and Temperature Sensors, Auxiliary Trailer Camera, Trailering assist guidelines, and Inside/Rear Trailer Camera Input. 

Revised Pricing Comparison After Options

With these available options, the price of the Yukon Denali now rises to $83,065, while the base model Escalade Luxury trim with 4WD is $86,890. 

The Package To Beat All Packages

Adding the $9,615 Denali Reserve Package brings the Yukon Power-retractable assist steps with LED perimeter lighting, Panoramic power sunroof, Rear Camera Mirror Washer, Rear Camera Mirror with washer, Adaptive Air Ride suspension, Premium Capability Package with Active Response 4WD content, Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (eLSD), all of the options from the Max Trailering Package and ProGrade trailering System we showed earlier, wheel locks, 22” bright machined aluminum wheels with premium paint, Super Cruise driver assistance technology, Reverse Automatic Braking, Enhanced Cooling Radiator, Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, the Advanced Security Package that includes Content theft-deterrent system, Inclination sensor, Interior movement sensor, and Glass breakage sensor. 

Updated Pricing

The Yukon Denali with the Denali Reserve Package now brings the price to $93,410. However, to get a similar type of options on the Escalade means that you will have to spend $102,565. 

Fully Loaded Yukon Denali vs Escalade

Just for fun, if you click every optional box for the GMC Yukon Denali that provides something meaningful to the vehicle, you will have a fully loaded price of $103,300, which includes a $2,795 cat-back performance exhaust system and $3,750 for Front 6-Piston Brembo Brake Upgrade with Color Matched Rear Calipers. But, to get a similar level of options on the Escalade, the price becomes $114,250. 

Yukon Safety Features

The Yukon Denali also comes with GMC Pro Safety Plus as standard and includes Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Park Assist, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam auto high beams, Available Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control. 

Does A Higher Price Mean More Class?

No matter how you slice it, the GMC Yukon can be optioned with the same available features as the Cadillac Escalade for quite a bit in savings. While the Escalade is a very nice and classy vehicle, can you say that the Yukon Denali isn’t very nice and classy? It is absolutely just as nice and just as classy but for less. 

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