M/T large SUV comparo: Escalade vs. QX80 vs. Range Rover, etc., etc.

[GoCougs]

M/T comparo: The Big Test: Large Luxury SUVs.

Escalade handily wins. Of note however was powertrain performance. The Escalade was not only the quickest of the test by a notable margin, of the six it tied for 2nd best mpg @ 16.4. The other two (Land Rover @ 16.4 mpg, GL450 @ 18.3 mpg) were smaller, 300-500 lbs lighter, and were powered by boosted V6s. May GM keep the N/A dream alive!

[SVT666]

I notice that in every single group photo the Lincoln is way at the back where you can't see it's ugly face.  LOL

[TBR]

Maybe I am the only one, but I find the facelifted Navigator to be quite attractive.

Interior is still awful though.

[SVT666]

Ford really fucked up on the interior.  The design isn't that bad, but the materials are shit.  I find it funny that Ford can't get the interior right on the Lincoln's, but they have class leading interiors in their mainstream vehicles.

[GoCougs]

The Navigator is ancient save for the Ecoboost V6, not really a luxury vehicle, and didn't belong in the test.

[12,000 RPM]

Interesting that the Caddy has the best interior. I am telling you, these things are the new S-Classes. Escalade outsold the S Class last year.

[r0tor]

This is so not my style that I can't even imagine being stuck driving one of these fat asses... Probablyb would take the GL or Range Rover if forced.

[GoCougs]

And Jesus, the MSRPs of the Caddy are something else - $95k as tested.

[12,000 RPM]

Kudos to GM delivering the standard of the world in a luxury segment that counts. Having spent a few years a stone's throw from Park Avenue, I can say confidently that Escalades + drivers are the family car of the truly elite.

[MexicoCityM3]

Turbos are everywhere in large part to game regulations, especially the ludicrous european test cycle. The real world efficiency gains are much lower.

Regarding this test, I rented a GL450 a few months ago for a week in Austin. I really liked it. Super solid, very comfortable, reasonably fast (it was the previous V8 I believe) and with excellent ride. The third row seats were useable by adults.

The Escalade may be great, but I'd never get one. In certain areas of the country driving one makes your chances of being mistaken for the local drug lord rise by 10,000%.

[Lebowski]

I'd take either the Range Rover or the GL personally (my brother has a GL, it is nice, I like the looks of the RR better but imagine the GL is the better car). I like the land cruiser as well but in Toyota form.  I can't see myself ever buying an escalade even if I needed/wanted something this size. The Navigator and Infiniti are my least favorite, the latter being IMHO one of the ugliest vehicles made.

[TBR]

Also, that's a remarkably poorly written article.

[Secret Chimp]

Improved interior materials or not, the Escalade is not a $90k vehicle. If I were throwing that much money at a big SUV, I'd buy the Mercedes. I'd feel like one of GM's favorite chumps in an Escalade.

[MrH]

I wouldn't buy the escalade, simply because in three years, I wouldn't want to have to try selling it on the used market to the losers that I really want used ones

The escalade is the car all the 45 year old guys who lived at my apartment complex after college would drive. They would try and pretend they were still in their 20's, going to the young bars in the area and hitting on girls half their age.

[GoCougs]

If you've ever driven or spent time in the GM's large SUVs I think the allure would become apparent. Sure they're boatish but they're quick, roomy, quiet and smooth.

I wouldn't for the Escalade either but I'd totally go for the GMC Yukon Denali (which has the same 420 hp motor).

[Morris Minor]

I like them. I recently had a 200-mile ride in a new Suburban. Nicely built, quiet & a great conveyance for wafting along on interstates.

[Lebowski]

I like the Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban, just not the e
Escalade although I dislike it less than some previous gens.  Thing is even those (Tahoe/Yukon) get pricey, at least as far as sticker prices go.  They're also massive - garage size was/is a deal killer for me vs the 4Runner, which is about the biggest that can comfortably fit in my garage.

[CALL_911]

I'd go for a Land Cruiser before any of these

[Laconian]

Improved interior materials or not, the Escalade is not a $90k vehicle. If I were throwing that much money at a big SUV, I'd buy the Mercedes. I'd feel like one of GM's favorite chumps in an Escalade.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Kudos to GM delivering the standard of the world in a luxury segment that counts. Having spent a few years a stone's throw from Park Avenue, I can say confidently that Escalades + drivers are the family car of the truly elite.

This is true! Although everyone considers them the choice car of Drug Dealers, Rappers and Athletes I see waaaaay more Slades (Current and previous Gen) in upscale neighborhoods than "Round The Way". And yes last time I was in NYC they were EVERYWHERE!!

I like the Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban, just not the escalade all though I dislike it less than some previous gens.  Thing is even those get pricey, at least as far as sticker prices.   

If I were buying new a nicely optioned Suburban would be my choice also. 90 Large for a tarted up pickup is just crazy to me. No matter what badge is has glued to the front!

The Navigator and Infiniti are my least favorite, the latter being IMHO one of the ugliest vehicles made.

I just talked a friend out of buying a used QX! I got him to buy a Q7 instead!

[GoCougs]

Yeah, the QX (Nissan Patrol) is one ugly bastard...

[12,000 RPM]

I feel like a fully loaded Tahoe/Yukon is not very far from $90K.

[2o6]

Have you guys actually driven the latest GM BOF SUV's?


Because they're better than most of the cars in this test. I've spent time with the QX and the LX, and both of those models feel downright cheap by comparison

[r0tor]

Have you guys actually driven the latest GM BOF SUV's?


Because they're better than most of the cars in this test. I've spent time with the QX and the LX, and both of those models feel downright cheap by comparison

Yea... My coworkers Tahoe that blew up 3 years and 1 month into ownership and drank a quart of oil every 1,000 miles

[68_427]

Yea... My coworkers Tahoe that blew up 3 years and 1 month into ownership and drank a quart of oil every 1,000 miles

So no, you haven't.

[r0tor]

So no, you haven't.

No I did, we took driving shifts car pooling to a business conference 2 years ago... It was bleh

[68_427]

No I did, we took driving shifts car pooling to a business conference 2 years ago... It was bleh

So your coworker has a 3 year old MY2015 car?

[Lebowski]

Kudos to GM delivering the standard of the world in a luxury segment that counts. Having spent a few years a stone's throw from Park Avenue, I can say confidently that Escalades + drivers are the family car of the truly elite.

Meh, and 10-15 years ago those same people in NYC were driven in Towncars. 

I'll admit the GM SUVs are great for black car / vip type service (though I still think a simple blacked out suburban is a lot classier looking than an escalade), that doesn't necessarily make them the most desirable choice of the "elite" to own. Plenty of thirty thousand dollar millionaires leasing escalades, though maybe less so now than when the first gen was out.

[2o6]

No I did, we took driving shifts car pooling to a business conference 2 years ago... It was bleh

So you haven't driven one, because the car is all new for 2015.

[12,000 RPM]

Meh, and 10-15 years ago those same people in NYC were driven in Towncars. 

I'll admit the GM SUVs are great for black car / vip type service (though I still think a simple blacked out suburban is a lot classier looking than an escalade), that doesn't necessarily make them the most desirable choice of the "elite" to own. Plenty of thirty thousand dollar millionaires leasing escalades, though maybe less so now than when the first gen was out.

Maybe down there. Up in NYC a privately owned & chauffered Escalade in Manhattan = big money. I dont think they were liverys. ESV washes all its competitors in space and reliability and isnt far behind in luxury IMO. I find the whole segment silly... they all have the vertical interior room of a sedan. But Escalade got it locked