I decided to purchase a 2018 Escalade Luxury w/ ebony interior that had 48k miles for 55k with 4/48 extended GMPP warranty. I owned my 2008 Sport since it was brand new. I put 207k miles in 14 years. I had to replace the transmission at 150k & engine at 192k. I can say the truck was good to me and got allot of use out of it. I went for the 2018 because of the 10-speed, improved suspension and some other improvements. Also there is no difference between the 2018-2020 except some colors and a lift gate light to see where to kick to open. I do have to say that the best mpg I ever seen on my 2008 was 17.1 mpg in 14 years. Now the best I seen on my 2018 is 36 mpg. Overall I can say that the 2018 is 20-30 percent better on gas. This is based on driving in Houston. I ran a check and the truck has never seen the dealer except for maintenance items. The dealer sold me the 2018 with new Goodyear Touring tires which lasted me 23k miles which I think is terrible. I currently have 72k miles and decided to put the Michelin Defender LTX which is a great and comfortable tire. I only had to change the transmission fluid which for the 10-speed only uses Dexron ULV only. The dealer charges only $250 to change it so it is better to let them do it than trying yourself or going to a independent shop. I changed the armrest since the previous owner must have put all his/her weight on it. I did notice that the rear view camera mirror is not so good at night so I changed the license plate lights to T15/921 Sylvania LED which works great. I also tinted the front windows using ceramic 15%.
Things I like about the 2018 over the 2008.
1/ Quiet when driving at 90mph on the highway
2/ 10-speed works flawlessly
3/ CUE system technology which my kids love the 4g
4/ Hidden safe with glovebox combo lock
5/ Power 3rd row seats
6/ Acceleration 0-60 and is governed at 112mph. EcoTech 3 engine with 420hp/480lb. torque.
7/ 5x USB data ports which I can keep a flash drive, iPod, iPhone and more connected at the same time and could go through the sources on the fly.
8/ Gauge cluster that can be customized
9/ Heads-up display with 4 different selections
10/ Door storage for the front, 2nd row and some storage in the 3rd row. Also hidden storage in the rear cargo area.
11/ 12v plug for 3rd row and 115v plug for 2nd row
12/ Apps on the cue like Pandora, i-Heart, CarPlay, Android Auto, My Cadillac which updates the car and more.
13/ The navigation screen shows the weather on graphics depending on weather and with 3D buildings.
14/ Don’t need to ever remove the key from your pocket & push button start.
15 / Kick to open lift gate
16/ All windows are express and you can lock the rear doors for child safety with a switch. No need to manually do it at the doors.
17/ Multiple cup holders in the doors. I wish there was cupholders in the middle like the last generation.
18/ Lighted door sills and handles.
19/ Power folding mirrors by remote also can put windows down by remote.
20/ Pretty light accent on the doors and in the handles.
21/ Solar windshield as well as acoustic for the front windows.
22/ 4-way telescopic steering wheel.
23/ Suede on the dash, chairs and door.
24/ Bose center-point speakers 16x which sounds way better than previous gen.
25/ Oil psi, Battery voltage, navigation directions, radio controls, speed limit posted and gas mpg on the gauge cluster
26/ LED headlights that show the road well at night, so well that you don’t need fog lights since the LED lights up perfect.
27/ No gas cap
28/ 2nd generation mag ride with Tour, Sport and Winter modes.
29/ Electronic steering
30/ Motion detector inside also tilt alarm and backup battery on alarm siren.
31/ Cadillac app is more informative and reliable that the previous.
32/ Lane assist, auto front/rear brakes, ACC cruise control and seat belt tightening.
33/ 360 degree cameras w/ auto park assist.
34/ Real wood on the dash, doors and center console.
35/ Wireless charger
36/ Blu-ray player, USB drive for RSE.
37/ Direct injection
38/ Sunglass or storage by the front cup holders.
39/ Tire fill alert
40/ Camera rear view mirror with separate camera and washer fluid washer.
41/ Kona brown interior choice
42/ Messaging seats for the platinum and refrigerator in the center (heard it’s doesn’t keep the drinks as cool).
Things that the 2008 had that is missed.
1/ Dolby Digital/DTS surround also DVD-Audio
2/ You would hear the engine purr through the muffler.
3/ 6 DVD/CD changer
4/ Tilt navigation screen
5/ Audio system for 2nd row passengers.
6/ The rear camera had way better picture quality, especially at night.
7/ You could remove the 3rd row if needed.
8/ Came with roof rails
9/ Two separate compartments for the center arm storage.
10/ Cup holders in the middle for 2nd row.
11/ Better quality leather seats
12/ Wood on steering wheel
13/ Fog lights which was nice because you could put yellow or your choice of lights.
14/ Heated washer fluid
15/ Power fold for second row on overhead panel in the front
16/ Parktronic leds on the passenger rear pillar.
17/ Ashtray and cigarette lighter.
18/ Keylock for glovebox
19/ Heated/Cooled seats where better and no vent to blow heat on the 2nd row passengers.
20/ Outside temp in the rear-view mirror.
21/ Triple Diamond White which only the 2015 has. They should have made it a color choice instead of eliminating it completely.
22/ Heated/Cooled cup holders for the platinum.
Now if anyone else wants to chime-in and add please do so. I am probably missing something’s that may be important to others.
The 2015-2020 was pretty much the same truck and GM had to come out with something quick since they didn’t change the 2007-2014 Escalade for 7 years. When the 2015.5 came out with the 8 speed it was a disaster. The suspension was terrible as well. Many people flocked away from the Escalade from 2015-2017. When the 10-speed came out, customers started to flock back to the Escalade after hearing that they fixed the suspension issue and transmission issue. Now the new body style is great but I am not going to get it yet. I don’t like that it’s bigger on the outside and not as sleek. I feel they did that for the IRS which hangs low from the back. The front of the new Escalade looks the same as the GMC and Chevy also looks like a bus from the side, especially the sport editions. The 2008-2014 Platinum & 2015-2020 headlights looks like jewelry, so freaking beautiful and unique. The engine configuration bet. The 2018-2020 is the same exact spec. like the 2021 and up Escalade so I am not missing out on that. I do love my 2018 Escalade and very happy with my purchase. I plan on keeping it for many years and maybe as long as I kept my 2008. I probably wouldn’t have gotten rid of it but it needed 10k in body work to make it acceptable to me. I also didn’t like that OnStar was shutting down there 2g/3g network. The 2007-2014 didn’t have Bluetooth audio or HD radio. My new Escalade is well taken care of and gets waxed every 3 months. I don’t know if I am going to ceramic coat it yet. I did the clay-bar and applied ceramic spray.
If anyone can recommend anything please let me know.
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