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Cadillac Escalade Sales Continued To Command Segment During Q1 2023

Cadillac Escalade sales decreased in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during the first quarter of 2023.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q1 2023 - United States

In the United States, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 5,523 units in Q1 2023, a decrease of about 14 percent compared to 6,424 units sold in Q1 2022.
MODEL Q1 2023 / Q1 2022 Q1 2023 Q1 2022
ESCALADE -14.03% 5,523 6,424

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q1 2023 - Canada

In Canada, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 691 units in Q1 2023, a decrease of about 4 percent compared to 723 units sold in Q1 2022.
MODEL Q1 2023 / Q1 2022 Q1 2023 Q1 2022
ESCALADE -4.43% 691 723

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q1 2023 - Mexico

In Mexico, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 154 units in Q1 2023, a decrease of about 46 percent compared to 286 units sold in Q1 2022.
MODEL Q1 2023 / Q1 2022 Q1 2023 Q1 2022
ESCALADE -46.15% 154 286

This is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V high performance luxury full-size SUV. The Escalade lineup will receive refresh for 2024.

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

Cadillac Escalade sales during the first quarter of 2023 kept the full-size luxury SUV in clear command of its segment when ranked by sales volume, as it has for over a dozen years now since we started tracking Escalade sales. On a combined basis, the Escalade family – comprised of the regular-length Escalade and extended-length Escalade ESV – saw sales slip 12 percent to 9,228 units. Despite the dip, the Escalade delivered over twice as many units as its next closest competitor. The sales of the Escalade and Escalade ESV are sometimes combined, as they are this quarter, and other times broken out.

The Lincoln Navigator (see running Lincoln Navigator sales) duo – those of the regular-length Navigator and extended-length Navigator L – placed second with a 94 percent jump to 4,170 units. The Infiniti QX80 followed in third with a 199 percent leap to 3,183 units. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer family – comprised of the regular-length Grand Wagoneer and extended-length Grand Wagoneer L – took fourth with a 36 percent drop to 2,044 units. Finally, the Lexus LX finished last in spite of a 182 percent leap to 1,572 units.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q1 2023 - USA

MODEL Q1 23 / Q1 22 Q1 23 Q1 22 Q1 23 SHARE Q1 22 SHARE
CADILLAC ESCALADE -14.03% 5,523 6,424 27% 37%
CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV -9.21% 3,705 4,081 18% 23%
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR +94.13% 4,170 2,148 21% 12%
INFINITI QX80 +199.15% 3,183 1,064 16% 6%
JEEP GRAND WAGONEER -35.50% 2,044 3,169 10% 18%
LEXUS LX +181.72% 1,572 558 8% 3%
TOTAL +15.78% 20,197 17,444

From a segment share standpoint, the Cadillac Escalade duo posted a combined 46 percent segment share, down 14 percentage points. The Lincoln Navigator duo held a 21 percent share, up nine percentage points year-over-year. The QX80 posted a 16 percent share, up 10 percentage points. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer duo earned a 10 percent segment share, up eight percentage points. Finally, the LX posted an eight percent share, up five percentage point.

Sales Numbers - Full-Cadillac Full-Size SUVs - Q1 2023 - USA

MODEL Q1 23 / Q1 22 Q1 23 Q1 22 Q1 23 SHARE Q1 22 SHARE
CADILLAC ESCALADE -14.03% 5,523 6,424 60% 61%
CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV -9.21% 3,705 4,081 40% 39%
TOTAL -12.16% 9,228 10,505

Below, we’ve included sales figures of full-size luxury crossovers for the sake of reference. Though they differ mechanically from the aforementioned body-on-frame SUVs by utilizing a unibody construction, they are typically cross-shopped and considered as alternatives to the regular-length full-size luxury SUVs. Currently, the only full-size luxury crossovers are the BMW X7, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, and Land Rover Range Rover, with Audi rumored to be working on a future Q9 that would slot into this space. Notably, the Escalade duo outsells all of them by a solid margin.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury CUVs - Q1 2023 - USA

MODEL Q1 23 / Q1 22 Q1 23 Q1 22
X7 +4.77% 6,770 6,462
GLS-CLASS -9.38% 5,621 6,203
RANGE ROVER -35.11% 2,920 4,500
TOTAL -10.80% 15,311 17,165

The full-size luxury SUV segment grew 16 percent to 20,197 units in Q1 2023, meaning that combined Escalade sales significantly underperformed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

The drop in Cadillac Escalade sales during the first quarter of 2023 is the result of availability issues, and not so much production issues. The drop enabled the Navigator, Infiniti, Jeep and Lexus to claw share away from the Cadillac, though not a single one came close to dethroning Caddy’s reigning sales king.

About Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade represented a complete overhaul (re-engineering and redesign) of the flagship SUV as the fifth generation of the Escalade nameplate. The all-new model features features an entirely new platform, all-new new exterior and interior designs, new trim levels, and new powertrain options.

Additionally, the luxury SUV features exclusive, first-to-market technology advances including a curved Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screen, the first AKG automotive audio system and GM’s acclaimed hands-free, semi-autonomous Super Cruise driver assistance technology. The 2022 Cadillac Escalade saw only few updates and changes over the initial 2021 model year, including more standard safety features.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade introduces the third model year for the fifth-generation luxury SUV, debuting a variety of important updates and changes, including the includes addition of a new Surround Vision Recorder system and expanded Super Cruise driving coverage.

The biggest news is the introduction of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, a new high-performance variant. The Escalade-V boasts the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine, rated at 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. Output is routed through the same updated GM 10-speed automatic transmission and fed to a full-time four-wheel drive system, yielding a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Prototype of refreshed 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV Sport

A refreshed 2024 Cadillac Escalade is on the way that will bring about mild revisions to the front and rear fascias and a cabin with a new infotainment screen that could be a humongous one, spanning the width of both pillars. We also expect an upgrade to the revised 3.0L LZ0 I6 turbodiesel Duramax. Last spring GM Authority spies caught a 2024 Escalade prototype undergoing testing for the first time. Most recently we spotted the 2024 Escalade ESV testing out in the wild.

Looking ahead, during the GM Investor Day presentation last fall, GM President Mark Reuss confirmed that a future, fully electric, full-size Cadillac SUV is on the way.

Prototype of refreshed 2024 Cadillac Escalade showing updated interior and infotainment screen

About The Numbers

Vince grew up in a GM family, likes manuals, and thinks this is the golden age of the automobile.

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Comments

  1. Your article on SUV comparison sales incorrectly stated that the Jeep Grand Wagoneer sales increased Q1 to Q2. Market share actually decreased 10%.
    The statement doesn’t reflect the chart.

    Reply

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