Comparative Automotive Research has identified no less than 45 advantages that the Cadillac Escalade ESV AWD has over the GMC Yukon 4WD.

Engine

The standard engine in the Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 is more powerful, with more horsepower than the standard engine in the Yukon 4WD 5.3L V8, 403 HP vs. 320 HP.

With 417 lb-ft of torque, the standard engine in Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 has more low-end power than the standard engine in the Yukon 4WD 5.3L V8, which has 335 lb-ft of torque.

The Escalade ESV AWD, with it's standard engine, has a lower power-to-weight ratio than the Yukon 4WD with it's standard engine, 14.8 to 17.2. Power-to-weight ratio illustrates the relationship between curb weight and horsepower (Curb Weight / Horsepower). As a rule, the lower the ratio, the faster the vehicle.

Reliability

The standard engine in the Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 has an larger displacement than the standard engine in the Yukon 4WD 5.3L V8, 6199 cc vs. 5328 cc. Engines with larger displacements can produce more power, with less stress, reducing wear and prolonging engine life.

Stop and go traffic, towing and driving in hot weather all cause additional stress on you engine, increasing the engine oil temperature, reducing its ability to lubricate, cool and prevent premature component fatigue. The Escalade ESV AWD combats these problems by providing a Standard engine oil cooler. Such a cooler is Optional in the Yukon 4WD.

The Escalade ESV AWD features a Standard emergency reduced engine power, or "limp home", system, that allows the engine to continue to operate (for a limited distance and reduced power levels) if coolant is lost or a critical engine sensor fails. A "limp home" system is Not Available in the Yukon 4WD.

Basic Warranty

Cadillac's basic warranty provides better coverage than GMC's. It covers everything except items subject to wear and tear (oil filters, wiper blades, etc.).

			Basic Warranty Months		Basic Warranty Miles
	Escalade ESV AWD		48		50000
	Yukon 4WD		36		36000

Corrosion Warranty

Cadillac's corrosion warranty provides better protection than GMC's. This warranty protects against rust-through (sheetmetal perforation).

			Corrosion Warranty Miles
	Escalade ESV AWD		Unlimited
	Yukon 4WD		100000

Fuel Economy and Emissions

The Escalade ESV AWD has a larger fuel tank than the Yukon 4WD, 31.0 gal. vs. 26.0 gal. This may give it a greater range before having to stop to refuel.

Airbags

Both the Escalade ESV AWD and the Yukon 4WD feature Standard driver and passenger air bags.

Restraints

The Escalade ESV AWD has Standard height-adjustable shoulder belts which allows the best fit for the greatest variety of drivers and passengers. Better fitting shoulder belts translate into higher seat belt usage rates. Height adjustable seat belts are Not Available in the Yukon 4WD.

General Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, heavier vehicles are safer in collisions and less affected by crosswinds than lighter vehicles. The Escalade ESV AWD is heavier than the Yukon 4WD, shown below by trim level and transmission type:

			Curb Weight AT
	Escalade ESV AWD		5,963 lbs.
	Yukon 4WD		5,567 lbs.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, longer vehicles can protect you better in both single and multiple-vehicle crashes because they have longer crumple zones, which can reduce damage to the internal safety cage and spread the crash forces. The Escalade ESV AWD is longer than the Yukon 4WD, 222.9 in. vs. 202.0 in.

The Escalade ESV AWD features the following available engine drive types, shown by trim:

			Driveline
	Escalade ESV AWD		AWD
	Yukon 4WD		4WD-SEL

Adjustable foot pedals, Standard in the Escalade ESV AWD, provide for a more comfortable reach to the pedals and allow the driver to sit at a safe distance from the steering wheel and airbag. This feature is Optional on the Yukon 4WD SLE-1.

High intensity discharge (HID) headlights are Standard on the Escalade ESV AWD but Not Available Yukon 4WD. HID headlights offer several advantages - increased visibility due to significantly brighter light, longer lasting/more durable bulbs and much lower energy use.

Perimeter lighting improve safety by illuminating the area around the vehicle while entering and exiting at night. This feature is more common in the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD, as shown below:

			Perimeter Lighting
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

Interior Space

The Escalade ESV AWD has more interior space than the Yukon 4WD in the following areas:

Hip Room, Front

Head Room, 3rd row

Hip Room, 3rd row

Leg Room, 3rd row

Hip Room, Rear

Leg Room, Rear

Shoulder Room, 3rd row

Head Room, Front

Escalade ESV AWD

60.5 in.

38.1 in.

49.4 in.

34.9 in.

61.8 in.

39.5 in.

64.7 in.

41.1 in.

Yukon 4WD

60.3 in.

37.9 in.

49.1 in.

25.6 in.

60.6 in.

39.0 in.

61.7 in.

40.3 in.

Cargo Space

The Escalade ESV AWD has 45.8 cu. ft. of cargo volume compared to 16.9 cu. ft. in the Yukon 4WD. The additional cargo space means more room to store and transport packages, luggage, etc.

Standard front fold-down armrests provide the driver and front passenger a place to rest their forearms for added comfort and reduced driving fatigue. Front fold-down armrests are Optional in the Yukon 4WD SLE-1.

The Escalade ESV AWD features a Standard third row folding seat for increased cargo space. A third row folding seat is Not Available in the Yukon 4WD.

Payload and Towing

The Escalade ESV AWD has a higher towing capacity than the Yukon 4WD, meaning it can pull a larger total weight - trailer and contents.

			Tow Capacity, Std
	Escalade ESV AWD		7,700 lbs.
	Yukon 4WD		5,200 lbs.

An automatic load-leveling system compensates for the increased load placed upon the suspension during towing by adjusting the vehicle's suspension height for the best possible ride and handling. This feature is more common on the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD, as shown below:

			Automatic Load-Leveling
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

General Suspension

An adaptive variable suspension electronically senses and adapts to changing road surface conditions to provide optimum vehicle handling characteristics. An adaptive variable transmission is more commonly found in the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD, as shown below:

			Adaptive Variable Suspension
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

Chassis

The Escalade ESV AWD's wheelbase is longer than the Yukon 4WD's, 130.0 in. vs. 116.0 in., producing a smoother ride and more stable handling.

Wheels and Tires

The lower profile tires (aspect ratio) that come standard on the Escalade ESV AWD may provide better handling capability than those on the Yukon 4WD. Details below:

			Tire Aspect Ratio
	Escalade ESV AWD Base		65
	Escalade ESV AWD Luxury		45
	Escalade ESV AWD Platinum Edition		45
	Escalade ESV AWD Premium		45
	Yukon 4WD		70

The Escalade ESV AWD (Luxury, Platinum Edition) features Standard chrome-plated wheels, for improved looks and increased value. Chrome-plated wheels are Optional on the Yukon 4WD.

Additional Features

A front power memory seat is a convenience feature that allows the driver to store their customized seating position then conveniently activate it when they get into the vehicle. This feature is more commonly found in the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD, as shown below:

			Front Power Memory Seat
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

Power front lumbar support gives the occupant precise control over their lower back support. Power front lumbar support is a more common feature in the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD, as shown below:

			Front Power Lumbar Support
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

A heated front seat is Standard in the Escalade ESV AWD, providing additional comfort in very cold weather. This feature is Not Available in the Yukon 4WD SLE-1.

Cooled front seats offer increased comfort, on very hot days, by reducing the temperature of the seating surface. As shown below, they are more commonly found in the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD.

			Front Cooled Seats
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

Leather seating is a much sought after feature for new car buyers, offering exceptional luxury and style, superior comfort, ease of maintenance and improved resale value. Leather seating is Standard in the Escalade ESV AWD but is Not Available in the Yukon 4WD SLE-1.

A navigational aid system provides drivers with information such as maps, driving directions and location assistance. A navigation system is a more common feature in the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD, as shown below.

			Navigational Aid
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

The Escalade ESV AWD features Standard genuine wood interior trim, made from real wood veneers. Real wood interior trim is Not Available in the Yukon 4WD.

With a Standard power sunroof, a touch of a button is all Escalade ESV AWD (Luxury, Platinum Edition, Premium) owners need to let the sun or the stars shine in. In contrast, bringing in the great outdoors will be more difficult in the Yukon 4WD as a power sunroof is Optional.

A power trunk lid is a nice convenience. A power trunk lid is more commonly found on the Escalade ESV AWD than Yukon 4WD, as shown below.

			Power Trunk Lid
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional

A passenger-side exterior mirror automatically tilts downward when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, improving the driver's rear vision. A tilt-down exterior mirror is a feature more commonly found on the Escalade ESV AWD than the Yukon 4WD.

			Automatic Tilt Down Exterior Mirror
	Escalade ESV AWD		Standard
	Yukon 4WD SLE-1		Not Available
	Yukon 4WD SLT-1		Optional