When it comes to full-size luxury SUVs, the Cadillac Escalade is hard to beat, frequently taking the top spot in its segment with regard to sales volume. Nevertheless, the segment is becoming more and more competitive by the minute, and to that end, GM is seeking to retain its position at the top of the heap with an extensive mid-cycle refresh for the Escalade set to launch in conjunction with SUV’s 2025 model year. That said, it now looks like the Escalade will have yet another rival to contend with as Audi gears up to launch the new Audi Q9.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the forthcoming Audi Q9 will top the German brand’s SUV lineup, slotting in above the Q7 and Q8 as its latest luxury SUV flagship – exactly what the brand needs to take the fight to the Cadillac Escalade.
Although Audi has focused primarily on expanding its all-electric offerings via the e-tron lineup over the last few years, lower-than-expected demand for EVs has forced the brand to shift strategies. That includes the delayed launch of he Audi Q6 e-tron, and while the forthcoming Q9 was originally expected to be the last ICE-powered model from Audi, it appears as though that will no longer be the case.
Regardless, Audi will find plenty of competition in the full-size luxury SUV space, in particular from the Cadillac Escalade. Looking over the latest numbers, the BMW X7 appears to be the top-dog in this space with 28,797 units sold during the 2023 calendar year, as compared to the 26,257 units sold for the Cadillac Escalade during the same time period. However, when one includes sales of the extended-length Cadillac ESV, which sold 15,432 units all on its own, it’s clear that the Escalade remains the undisputed segment leader:
| MODEL | YTD 23 / YTD 22 | YTD 23 | YTD 22 | YTD 23 SHARE | YTD 22 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X7 | -6.22% | 28,797 | 30,706 | 18% | 22% |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE | +8.10% | 26,257 | 24,290 | 17% | 18% |
| MERCEDES-BENZ GLS-CLASS | +15.36% | 24,056 | 20,853 | 15% | 15% |
| LINCOLN NAVIGATOR | +32.89% | 17,549 | 13,206 | 11% | 10% |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER | +50.34% | 15,989 | 10,635 | 10% | 8% |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV | -3.29% | 15,432 | 15,957 | 10% | 12% |
| INFINITI QX80 | +76.19% | 12,696 | 7,206 | 8% | 5% |
| JEEP GRAND WAGONEER | -9.53% | 10,618 | 11,736 | 7% | 8% |
| LEXUS LX | +91.08% | 6,959 | 3,642 | 4% | 3% |
| TOTAL | +14.56% | 158,353 | 138,231 |
The question then becomes this – will the new Audi Q9 have what it takes to eat away at the Escalade’s lead? We’ll find out when it launches for the 2025 model year, but until then, subscribe to GM Authority for more GM competition news, GM business news, Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Extra comfort for rear-seated passengers.
Filings made in 24 countries, so far.
The sweepstakes closes on December 22nd and the drawing will take place on December 28th.
At a time of year when luxury car ATP usually rises.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
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Why is Mazda CX-90 not mentioned? Have you ever driven one?
Do you really think Mazda is in the same category as Cadillac ? A brand that doesn’t know if it’s premium or luxury shouldn’t be mentioned at all.
yeah everybody should drive fiat unos (look it up)
or better yet, fiat 124 (look that up too).
how dare people drive anything bigger than what you determine
I guess folks with pickup trucks shouldn't leave the house without a bed full of stuff.
i drive F550 with 12" lift on 48" mud tires with straight pipes and quad turbos with 0 emission controls. just idling is literally rolling coal. when i hit the gas, 6000 trees die in the amazon instantly.