Compared: 2023 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe

How two full-size SUVs differentiate luxury from mainstream.

James Tate | 

Mar 12, 2024 | 3 min read

Chevrolet | Cadillac

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Tahoe share a platform and a couple of powertrains, but they serve different customers. The Tahoe is a relatively attainable family hauler available with some high-end features, whereas the Escalade is synonymous with luxury.

Both three-row SUVs see few changes for the 2023 model year, although Cadillac has introduced a high-performance Escalade V-Series that tops $150,000.

Chevrolet

Price for the Escalade Is Much Higher Than Tahoe's

The rear-drive-based Tahoe is available in six trims. The entry-level LS starts south of $56,000 with a 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower. That engine comes standard in all but the range-topping High Country, which opens around $77,000 with a 420-hp 6.2-liter V8.

Only the mid-level off-road-oriented Tahoe Z71 includes four-wheel drive (4WD); the feature costs an extra $2,000 to $3,000 on every other trim. The Z71 is also the only model not to offer Chevy's Duramax 3.0-liter turbo-diesel.

Cadillac

The Escalade's pricing picks up where the Tahoe's leaves off, starting at $86,000 for the Luxury trim. Rear-wheel drive and the same 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 found in the Tahoe are standard across the line until you reach the top-dog performance-focused $155,000 Escalade-V, which is available exclusively with 4WD and a 682-hp supercharged and direct-injected version of that engine.

All other models offer 4WD and the aforementioned 3.0-liter turbo-diesel as options.

Chevrolet

Features Available Are Similar in the Tahoe and Escalade

The Tahoe LS is fairly basic, featuring cloth seats, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, and a 4.2-inch display in the gauge cluster. All other trims provide some leather upholstery, a 10.2-inch screen in the center stack, a sound system with nine or 10 speakers, and a 12.0-inch digital instrument panel.

For $2,000, buyers of trims LT or better can add 12.6-inch monitors to the backs of the front-seat headrests and keep the kids entertained on road trips. Those who want the Chevrolet's optional adaptive air suspension will need to choose the Z71 or top-line High Country trim.

Cadillac

The Escalade is all flash. The base model sports 22-inch wheels — far larger than the base Tahoe's 17s — a 19-speaker AKG sound system, and a 38-inch curved OLED infotainment-and-gauge display that stretches across most of the dash.

Apart from those details and some nicer leather options, the Escalade isn't all that different from the Tahoe inside. For instance, Cadillac offers the same $2,000 rear-seat media system and active air suspension as Chevrolet on all but the entry model.

Chevrolet

The Tahoe and the Escalade Don't Just Sip Fuel

You'll be less than shocked to discover that neither of these behemoths is a fuel-economy champion. Tahoes with the 5.3-liter require regular gasoline, whereas models with the 6.2-liter need premium. At best, the 5.3-liter returns 15/20/17 mpg city/highway/combined, while the 6.2-liter sees up to 14/20/16. The supercharged Escalade-V boasts an egregious EPA rating of 11/16/13 mpg.

Cadillac

Buyers who have some concern for efficiency might want to choose the turbo-diesel Escalade. Rear-drivers average 21/28/24 mpg with that engine, and those with 4WD see 20/26/22.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

James Tate

James Tate has been writing about cars professionally for 15 years and he remains obsessed with them. He enjoys digging into the incredible technology of new vehicles as much as he likes the tactility and the driving experience of yesterday’s cars. He has written for a variety of legacy automotive magazines and websites.