2017 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2017 GMC Yukon Denali: Which is Best?

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs 2017 GMC Yukon Denali ・ Photo by General Motors

Comparing the 2017 Cadillac Escalade to the GMC Yukon Denali is like pitting brother against brother—quite literally. Both brands are subdivisions of General Motors, and the Escalade and the Yukon Denali share much of the same DNA; in fact, they are basically the same vehicle under the skin. One might expect the Cadillac to be the more luxurious of the two—after all, isn’t GMC a truck brand?—but GMC developed the Denali sub-brand to appeal to buyers who wanted the best of the best. There are differences between the Cadillac and the GMC, some of which are significant, and in fact the two vehicles are aimed at subtly different buyers. Let’s dive in and sort out the differences between the Escalade and the Yukon Denali so you can figure out which one is best for you.

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Pricing and Trim Levels

Cadillac sells the Escalade in three trim levels: base (called simply “Escalade”), Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum, with list prices (including destination) ranging from $74,590 to $96,390; the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV is priced $2,375 higher. All are well equipped, as you would expect, with leather seats and a high-end Bose stereo. The features keep piling up as you make your way through the trim levels: Safety alert features and a high-end alarm for the Luxury model, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, and rear seat entertainment for the Premium Luxury, and an upgraded interior for the Platinum. With all the options—and there aren’t many—the Escalade tops out at an eye-watering $101,210. By comparison, the GMC Yukon Denali seems a bit more reasonable. Since the Denali is a trim level of sorts—GMC makes lesser and less-expensive versions of the Yukon—it is essentially a single model, price at $67,260 for the short wheelbase version and $69,960 for the long-wheelbase Yukon XL. With all the options, the Yukon Denali tops out at $84,490.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Options

Since these two vehicles are largely the same, many of their available options are also similar; it’s the delivery method which differs. Cadillac bundles many of the Escalade’s upmarket options exclusively with higher trim levels; by contrast, the Denali offers most of its options in bundles, though many of the high-end features—most notably the premium interior materials used in the Platinum version of the Escalade—are not offered in the GMC. Note, however, that options offered on both Escalade and Yukon Denali may have different prices. For example, both Cadillac and GMC charge extra for most paint colors (on all Escalades save the Platinum, only black and silver are offered at no extra charge; for the Yukon Denali, it’s black or white). Most of the colors cost $395 on the GMC and $595 on the Cadillac. If you want your Yukon Denali in red, it’ll cost you $495; a similar shade on the Escalade costs $995.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Powertrains and Efficiency

Both the Cadillac and the GMC share their sole engine choice: A 6.2 liter V8 that produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both the Escalade and Yukon Denali come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel-drive or a four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case. We like the four-wheel-drive system used on these trucks because it includes selections for two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, and an automatic setting that automatically distributes power as needed for foul-weather traction. EPA fuel economy estimates should be identical for both vehicles, but in fact they differ slightly. Both long- and short-wheelbase Escalades are rated at 15 MPG city/22 MPG highway with two-wheel-drive and 15/20 with four-wheel-drive. The Yukon XL Denali is rated at 14 MPG city/20 MPG highway; other ratings are the same as the Cadillac.

Photo by Cadillac

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Stand-Out Features

If you like an upscale cabin, the top-of-the-line Escalade Platinum is bound to impress with its semi-aniline leather upholstery, faux-suede headliner (it’s actually made of microfiber for increased durability), and a leather-lined dashboard. The Platinum also gets standard feature that are optional on lesser Escalades and the Yukon Denali, such as illuminated door sill plates and power-retractable running boards. One of the biggest differences between these two vehicles is the infotainment system. The Escalade gets Cadillac’s Cue system, while GMC gets a system called Intellilink. We actually prefer the GMC’s system: The icons are more distinct and the overall system is easier to use, and Intellilink’s matte screen isn’t a fingerprint magnet like the Cue’s glossy screen.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Exterior Design

It doesn’t take a long look to tell that these two SUVs are closely related. There’s no disguising that big, boxy shape, which is also shared with Chevrolet’s Tahoe and Suburban. But the front and rear views are very distinctive, and it’s difficult to pick which one is better. The Escalade gets tall LED headlights that blend into the fenders and a beautiful slatted grille. But we are equally fond of the Yukon Denali, which gets a bold chrome billet grille (different than the one found on lower-trim Yukons) and wider headlights. Out back, the Caddy gets tall taillights that stretch to the roof, while the Yukon gets squat rectangular lights. Here, we’d say the advantage goes to the GMC: The Cadillac’s rear turn signals are a line of amber LEDs that look like they were added on as an afterthought.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Interior Design

For two vehicles that are mechanically similar, it’s pleasantly surprising to see how different the dashboards are, with unique shapes for the dash top, vents and trim pieces. For pure elegance, the Cadillac wins; it’s a sharper design and the optional leather-lined dash on the Escalade Platinum is lovely. But from a day-to-day usability standpoint, we’d argue in favor of the Yukon. We mentioned the Escalade’s Cue system with its fingerprint-prone glossy touch screen; it also uses a touch-sensitive panel instead of buttons, which can be too touch sensitive—it’s easy to accidentally “press” a virtual button with the bottom of your hand when using the touchscreen. The Yukon’s controls are similar to those of the brand’s pickup trucks, with big (real) buttons and chunky dials that can be used while wearing work gloves. Which is better? It’s a question of form versus function. The Escalade’s interior looks better, but the Yukon’s is easier to use.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Interior Space and Cargo Capacity

Here, the two vehicles are evenly matched: Structures and space are identical. That said, we’re a bit surprised that the second row isn’t adjustable in either vehicle, and that the third-row seat in the extended-length Cadillac Escalade ESV and Yukon XL Denali is as cramped as it is. Tow ratings between the two trucks are nearly identical: Both will tow at least 7,900 lbs, but owing (we surmise) to its slightly lighter weight, the 2WD short-wheelbase Yukon can tow 8,400 lbs, while the short-wheelbase Escalade is limited to 8,300 lbs.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Safety Ratings and Technology

Again, with their common structure, it should come as no surprise that crash test ratings for these two vehicles are identical. Both get an overall rating of four out of five stars from NHTSA, though long-wheelbase models get a slightly lower front crash rating—four stars, as opposed to the short-wheelbase vehicle’s three stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not crash-tested either model. Safety equipment largely overlaps as well, and both the GMC and Cadillac come with GM’s Safety Alert Seat. While most warning systems buzz or beep at you, the Safety Alert Seat vibrates either the left, right or front cushions to warn you of trouble. Nice. Most of the standard safety systems are identical, but the Escalade adds a center airbag that deploys from the front seat, between the front passengers, to provide additional protection in a side collision.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: The Driving Experience

With the same engine and suspension setups, the driving experience between the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon Denali is—you guessed it—very similar. One feature that sets many Cadillac models apart from other GM vehicles is Magnetic Ride Control, which employs shock absorbers filled with a fluid that thickens when a magnetic field is applied. This allows GM to use a softer shock setting and instantly stiffen them if changes require—say, if the driver suddenly turns or swerves or the road surface changes. You won’t find this feature on lesser Yukons, but GMC does fit it to the Denali—so once again, there is little daylight between these two vehicles.

Photo by Cadillac

2017 Cadillac Escalade vs GMC Yukon Denali: Which is best?

When we first set out to compare the Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon Denali, we thought we were embarking on an impossible mission. But in fact, there are differences in the vehicles, though they largely come down to personal preferences. If style and luxury are important—especially in the cabin—the Cadillac Escalade is the better choice, especially in the higher trim levels. The Escalade will surround you with the finest materials and the most elegant design GM’s stylists can come up with. But this form comes at the expense of function; the Yukon Denali is the easier vehicle to use, though that means sharing a control layout not only with lesser Yukons, but with GMC’s pickup trucks as well. And the Caddy’s luxury comes at a price, quite literally—you can spend much more money on the Cadillac than the Yukon. Our recommendation: Test drive both, and decide for yourself if you prefer the elegance of the Cadillac or the user-friendliness of the Yukon.

Photo by General Motors