The Escalade is Cadillac's premium, luxury full-size SUV with its roots dating back to 1999. Famous as a family hauler and carrier for VIPs, the Escalade is no stranger to being driven through many miles. But how long exactly do these vehicles last? We have scoured the internet and asked the experts to give you the right answer on the expected life span of the Escalade.
The estimated lifespan of an Escalade is 200,000 miles. But this number is subject to multiple factors, like the vehicle's use, proper maintenance, driving habits, and whether it has experienced an accident. You can easily have your Escalade exceed this average by taking good care of your car, and it will surely last you a decade or more.
Interested to learn more details about how long Cadillac Escalade can potentially last you? Continue reading as we discuss more details about the car’s reliability, maintenance costs, and why it is the car of choice for influential people.
Are Cadillac Escalades reliable?
Given that the national annual average of travel for vehicles in the United States is 14,200 miles, a Cadillac Escalade can easily reach up to 13 to 14 years on the road. Your Escalade can easily last more than the average with constant care and frequent tune-ups.
Although some Escalades reach as much as 300,000 miles, the majority will not reach this mark without any major repairs being needed.
The reputation of the Escalade precedes itself as one of the favorite vehicles for high-profile individuals like athletes, celebrities, and musicians. The Escalade throughout the years has become a status symbol of wealth and luxury, with the 2021 base model starting at $77,490 and increasing to $115,000 for the top-spec trim.
Cadillac's reliability is approved by the White House
The choice of car for the President of the United States is a Cadillac. The presidential car, also known as "The Beast" or "Cadillac One" is a modified Cadillac that uses Escalade emblems and also the Cadillac CTS customized into a limousine.
Cadillac is owned by General Motors (GM), the same company that owns Chevrolet and GMC. They have been producing the Presidential car since 1984. Although there is no specific model of Cadillac used for the President's car, its grill is the same as the Escalade, making it look like an Escalade that's converted into a limousine.
Reliability ratings
The Escalade also tops reliability ratings in the full-size SUV segment scoring an 82/100 rating done by JD Power. It also ranks in the top six rating of Repair Pal with a score of 2.5/5, making it one of the most reliable options in its segment.
Also, check out one of our previous articles about full-size and mid-size SUVs titled, "What SUVs Have Blind Spot Detection?" Here we list SUVs with features to assist you in those blind spots and avoid any accident while driving or parking your vehicle.
Are Cadillac Escalades expensive to maintain?
According to data from CarEdge, the cost for maintenance of an Escalade is $12,993 for its first ten years. Comparing this to its competitors like the Lincoln Navigator, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe, it beats their averages by more than $2,500. This means that not only is the Escalade reliable but also cheaper to maintain.
Maintenance is an integral part of making any vehicle last long; it helps quickly diagnose any potential problems and stops them from getting any worse.
Following the schedule of changing your car fluids such as your engine oil, transmission fluids, and brake fluids enable these parts to function well. As they say, take care of your car and it will take care of you.
For insurance, the average cost at about $2,200 a year; this would round up to about $11,260 after five years. These numbers provided by CarEdge assume that the sticker price of your Cadillac is at $87,000, so numbers are expected to change with other prices.
This is also true with its resell value. We recommend that you talk with your insurance agent regarding the cost, but the ballpark figure will not be very different from the given numbers above.
Do Cadillacs hold their value?
Cadillac Escalades hold their value at 47% after five years from buying. Some Escalades like the Escalade ESV hold a better depreciation value at 52%. This is because it offers more space and is a bigger vehicle than typical Cadillac Escaldes.
Compared to its competitors, Escalade also has a lower price than other manufacturers' models. A lot of luxury features like its infotainment also come standard with it and enhanced automatic emergency braking and automatic rear emergency braking.
Compared to full-size trucks, full-size SUVs generally maintain a better value over time. This is because pick-up trucks are usually more beaten up and are more used as work trucks, whereas SUVs are typically used as family haulers.
We also made a list of SUVs that come with lane keep assist, "Which SUVs Have Lane Keep Assist?" To help you choose the available list of vehicles that has this added safety feature on the road, and of course, the Escalade is one of them.
What are some common problems of a Cadillac Escalade?
One of the most common reported issues with the Escalade is trouble with its engine and suspension. Owners reported shaking at high speeds, particularly at 50 mph to 70 mph. The shaking comes with no error found even after diagnosis and no warning light on the dashboard during the incident.
Another problem is with its transmission. Some users report engine struggle during downshifting. These problems are all significant in the 2015-2020 model years, particularly the 2016 ones.
Some owners also reported problems with the Escalade's electrical system, such as lights staying on even when the car is already turned off and parked. Door handles breaking has also become one of the biggest problems of some Escalade models and is the most common issue complained by some owners.
Cadillac Escalade Warranty
New Cadillacs come with a standard four-year warranty or 50,000 miles. Cadillac also offers an extended limited warranty for six years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first. According to Cadillac, the warranty can also be transferred if you sell your vehicle while it is still under warranty.
The warranty also includes:
- bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
- powertrain limited warranty
- corrosion protection
- parts warranties
- roadside assistance
- courtesy transport program
With the extended warranty, you can wait until your original warranty expires to buy the extension Cadillac offers. Another offer from Cadillac is its pre-paid maintenance, which helps cover the cost of your car's needed and recommended maintenance.
In summary
Your typical Cadillac Escalade can reach you up to 200,000 miles. With proper care and proper maintenance, you can easily surpass this mark. The Escalade was once dubbed as the "King of full-size SUV." Although it has had some problems in its recent model years, the Escalade continues to be one of the top choices in its class.