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Anyone purchased a new 2019, and are you happy with it?

7.8K views 24 replies 12 participants last post by  centexcad2018  
#1 ·
Getting the itch again to purchase a new Escalade, this will be my sixth one. I believe with the new generation coming out later this year, there will be some good deals forthcoming on the '19 models.

Have you purchased a new 2019, what are your thoughts, comments, and review of it?
 
#3 · (Edited)
I've got an 18' (Same thing essentially as a 2019), owned it for 5 months and put on 21,000 miles, and I am enjoying it. I've owned other luxury brands in the past 8 years such as Infiniti, Volvo and Audi and the Escalade has been the most trouble free vehicle I've owned.

As for the 2020 Escalade, I'm excited for the technology it will hopefully have, having owned my share of first year new generation vehicles and having read all the stories on here surrounding the 2015 and 2016 model year Escalades, I will gladly hold on to my 2018 until Model year 2021 but most likely Model year 2022 so they can get the kinks worked out. I have more things to do with my time than spend it at the dealership quite honestly. That's often where you end up when you want to be the first one on the road with the newest thing from a manufacturer. It's fun having people want to talk about the vehicle and stuff like that, I've had it happen often but when I began to know people at the dealerships on a first name basis and they knew me, yeah, it's just not worth it.
 
#4 ·
I've got an 18', owned it for 5 months and put on 21,000 miles, and I am enjoying it. I've owned other luxury brands in the past 8 years such as Infiniti, Volvo and Audi and the Escalade has been the most trouble free vehicle I've owned.

As for the 2020 Escalade, I'm excited for the technology it will hopefully have, having owned my share of first year new generation vehicles and having read all the stories on here surrounding the 2015 and 2016 model year Escalades, I will gladly hold on to my 2018 until Model year 2021 but most likely Model year 2022 so they can get the kinks worked out. I have more things to do with my time than spend it at the dealership quite honestly. That's often where you end up when you want to be the first one on the road with the newest thing from a manufacturer. It's fun having people want to talk about the vehicle and stuff like that, I've had it happen often but when I began to know people at the dealerships on a first name basis and they knew me, yeah, it's just not worth it.
My thinking exactly, I never buy the first year of a new generation model from GM. Always let them work the kinks out, and purchase a couple of years later. That is why I'm considering a 2019 model, because hopefully all of the issues have been work out. Vibrations, tranny problems, etc.
 
#5 ·
Took delivery of a 2019 Platinum 4WD ESV. So far, so good. The new 10 speed is very responsive when you step on the accelerator and over all is light years better than our 2016 and overall feels smoother and more solidly built. Ours was built on 12/13/18 and we took delivery on 12/31/18. The deal this local dealer was offering us was too good to be true, so we jumped on it before they changed their minds.
 
#21 ·
Its funny you say that. I have a 17 Luxury with 14k miles which was at the dealer recently and they gave me a base 2019 and let me tell you, it is a totally different truck! The transmission is unbelievable, so much better acceleration at any speed. As you mentioned much smoother and definitely more refined. First time I didn't want my truck back from service.
 
#6 ·
I last week I traded my 16 for a 19. The 10-speed tranny seems to be a huge improvement. Also, the finish on this one seems better. Based of the experiences with the past two gens, I am thinking to wait until 21 or 22 on the next gen would be a wise move. I assume the next gen will also have start/stop.
 
#7 ·
I assume the next gen will also have start/stop.

The 6.2 in the new pickups has it as well as more cylinder deactivation modes (can run in some circumstances on 1 cylinder) so yeah, it’s a safe bet. Unfortunately, IMO. Even with the ability to turn start/stop off, I absolutely dislike the feature. If it could be permanently turned off, I’d be fine with that but that is not how it is most often implemented. Having to turn it off after each startup is a complete pain in the ass after a while.

It works well in hybrids like the Prius but in conventional gassers, it’s more annoying then anything.
 
#10 · (Edited)
I agree, should be the same as a 16' but definitely it would be the same as an 18 and I've never had people ride in my vehicles and comment on the ride until my 18 Escalade. The ones who have commented were all impressed with it. I had a 2016 XC90 First Edition previous to the Escalade and it had air suspension, which was a let down. It didn't ride anywhere near how I would have expected a vehicle with air suspension to ride. The Escalade on the other hand fits that bill with its 'magnetic ride'. Firm if you want it while in Sport mode but quite soft and cushioned while in Comfort mode. Feels like riding on air IMO just without the ability to raise and lower the vehicle, which I personally didn't find useful. It was more of a show off thing. In certain instances it could be useful but overall, it was unnecessary.
 
#11 ·
Quick backstory:

I had a very early build '15, and it was very definition of POS. (I know all about first year rules, but lease had expired on my '11). Replaced with '16, which was better mechanically, build still had the horrible ride quality of the '15--the dreaded 'vibrations'...

Now have an '18, and so far its been like my previous Cadillacs, aside from the '15 & '16, oil changes and tire rotations.

I find that my '18 ride is far superior to the '15 & '16, and not just because the '18 doesn't have the dreaded vibrations, it almost "Rides like a Cadillac". It's also significantly quieter than the others, not that they were noisy but they had far too much tire noise even on the smoothest of pavements. On the '16, the dealer traded out the OEM Bridgestones for Michelin Premieres, which help some with ride quality but didn't really do anything for noise. The '18 has the Bridgestones, but they're much quieter.

Whether you follow or not, J.D. Power ranked the Escalade #1 in initial quality in its segment, and I'm sure the '19 will be as well....

I say go for it, and make sure you get a Platinum!!
 
#13 ·
Escalades with 22" wheels have always had Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires. I think at some point they may have switched to the Dueler H/L Alenza PLUS version. But they look very similar. All versions of the Dueler H/L Alenza are generally a quiet riding tire unless they wear funny or have a defect.
The Michelin Premiere that people choose to replace the Brigdestones with are also a great tire.
 
#16 ·
Same here on our 2016! After 20K miles, (rotating them every oil change and staying on top of tire pressure) ours are at 4/32" which is considered to be at replacement tread depth. I will never buy another set of these tires again! Terrible! Next time, I will go with the Michelin Premier LTX tires. I heard they are way better on the Escalade in terms of longevity and ride quality.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Mine is a 2013 ESV Platinum. Just replaced the original factory Bridgestone tires, they had 43,000 miles on them. My tire guy said there was plenty of tread left, but he showed me where they were dry rotting. I had surface/sidewall cracks that were going to eventually create a problem. The tires were rotated on a regular basis, and pressure was checked every two weeks.

So, I replaced them with the same Bridgestone tires that came on it from the factory. The original tires lasted five years and eight months, 43,000 miles.
 
#23 ·
Who knows how many sets that truck went through in 91K miles. There is no way in hell they lasted that long. They were probably just replaced before the dealer put it on the lot for sale. They don't last more than 30K miles no matter how many times you rotate them or no matter how meticulous you are on tire pressure settings.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Have had good luck with bridgestones. Sets had on trucks wore better than some Michelin. On a BMW discount tire (tire warranty) replaced the Dunlops with
Bridgestones, way better tread life. Seeing that don't put miles on a vehicle anymore, Escalades will last till trade. See no reason they
shouldnt be as good as all the others

Tires had good luck are Goodyear Wranglers, Kelly Springfield years ago, Michelin have been 50/50