The 2008 Cadillac Escalade is pretty much the best full-size luxury SUV released in its model year. But, with typical listing prices close to $12,000 for used models that will be lucky to see another 50,000 miles, it’s not the smartest vehicle to be buying right now.
Is the 2008 Cadillac Escalade a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The Escalade really is the most comfortable full-size SUV on the market.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – It’s almost a perfect ten, but some cheap interior trim materials here and there make it more of a 9.95.
- Reliability 7/10 – The Escalade probably won’t give you any major troubles before 200,000 miles, but beyond that point you’re going to be sweating at every clink and clank under the hood.
- Safety 9/10 – Standard safety tech is generous, crash test scores are very good, and the thing is built like a tank.
- Gas Mileage 5/10 – It can’t even do 20 miles to the gallon on the highway. An Escalade is anything but a practical option.
- Value 5/10 – At half the price, the Escalade would still be a lousy deal given the high cost of ownership.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
Consumer Reports described the Escalade as a “luxurious version of the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon.” They report that the SUV sacrifices fuel economy, responsive braking, and sharp handling for towing opwer, acceleration, and comfort.
Kelley Blue Book praised the Escalade’s luxurious interior with endless amenities and generous space for people and cargo. They note that the SUV leans a bit more towards rugged than glitzy. Poor gas mileage and impractical exterior dimensions earned some criticism.
Edmunds liked the classy interior design, but note that this was offset by some cheap plastic trim materials. They had no complaints about the SUV’s powerful V8 engine, tight turning circle (given the SUV’s dimensions and truck-based performance), and comfortable seats.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Have?
The 2008 Escalade has generated just 164 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most of these being for the airbags, at 94 complaints. Drivers report difficulty in getting GM to honor a pair of airbag recalls administered in 2021.
28 electrical complaints point to bad wiring resulting in fidgety instruments and lighting. Most commonly, a control seat module connection may overheat according to a handful of reports.
There are a few structural complaints pointing to door handles and other parts snapping off or breaking after awhile. Some of these complaints are being registered after 15+ years on the road, at which point you have to expect some wear and tear.
The 2008 Escalade has been recalled 4 times in total, which is within the median for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Last?
Drivers typically report the Escalade lasting around 200,000 miles before giving up the ghost. You can push it for a quarter million miles or more if you take excellent care of it, but 200,000 is when the expensive repairs usually start to pile up.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $734, which sounds a bit high, but is typical for a luxury SUV, and lower than some of the Escalade’s premium competitors. Head gasket replacements account for the most expensive repairs, typically costing between $1,672 and $1,860.
We have had no problems regarding reliability with our Escalade. It has been the most reliable car we have ever owned.
My 2008 Cadillac Escalade is extremely reliable. When I drive it I usually take it out of state with no worries about how this truck will perform
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 Escalade is excellent, and not just for the model year. CD/MP3 players come standard, and so does a DVD player and a 10-speaker Bose sound system.
Safety features go above and beyond, too. Anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak, and traction control all come standard. The SUV even packs a rear-view camera and Ultrasonic parking assist, a rarity in 2008.
Is the 2008 Cadillac Escalade a Good Value?
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade is too expensive to be a practical purchase. Fair market prices range from $9,766 to $12,137 with a typical listing price of around $11,752.
These would be fair prices if the SUV was a little younger, but these models already have 150,000 miles behind them. If you’re willing to spend twelve grand for an SUV that might not see the end of the year, you might as well save up a little extra and buy a brand new crossover.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
The 2008 Escalade is offered in rear and all wheel drive models in a single trim level, with standard features including:
- Leather seating
- 14-way power adjust driver seat
- Heated front seats
- CD/MP3/DVD player with 10 Bose speakers
- Tri-zone automatic air conditioning
- Steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls
- Anti-lock brakes with StabiliTrak
What Engines Come In the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
- The 2008 Escalade packs a 6.2L V8 engine delivering 403 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in rear or all wheel drive. The Escalade averages 12/18 miles to the gallon, city/highway, in four wheel mode, or 12/19 in two wheel mode.
What Colors Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade is every bit what its reputation suggests in the comfort department. Suspension is firm but not rigid, seating is generous and comfortable with 60 inches of hip room, and the cabin is first-class in more ways than not, aside from a few bits of cheap plastic here and there. The Escalade can tow up to 8,000 pounds, which would be impressive for a full-size truck, let alone a luxury SUV.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Have?
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade packs 17 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, or 109 with the seats down. This puts it in league with minivans like the Sienna and the Odyssey.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2008 was the second model year in the Escalade’s 2nd Generation, which ran from 2007 to 2014.
2006: New body color options and a redesigned satellite navigation system were the biggest changes for 2006.
2007: The Escalade was overhauled with a bigger cabin, a more powerful V8 engine, and a power-folding second row for 2007.
2008: Rain sensing windshield wipers were new for 2008, as were xenon headlights and etched Cadillac logos.
2009: A Cashmere/Cocoa interior color scheme was dded for 2009, and the SUV got one-touch windows and a power-tilting steering wheel.
2010: The 2010 Escalade is marginally more fuel efficient, but there are no big changes beyond that.
How Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Compare to the Competition?
A Lincoln Navigator offers a comparable experience to driving an Escalade, but with typical listing prices around two thousand dollars less. The Escalade is the more powerful of the two, by far, but the Navigator’s 300 horsepower engine is still more power than most drivers need.
The 2008 Chevy Tahoe costs about the same as an Escalade, it’s dependable, and it’s likely to last around 50,000 miles longer with adequate maintenance. It’s not as luxurious as an Escalade, but it’s far more likely to still be running this time next year.
A Cadillac Escalade really is the best full-size luxury SUV released in 2008. But if it’s gonna be scrap metal 50,000 miles after you drive it off the lot, so what? If you’re willing to spend ten, twelve thousand dollars on a luxury SUV, you might as well spend a little more and buy something newer.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
The Escalade has been a great car for us. It is comfortable, even on long trips. We have driven cross country twice, and have had no issues whatsoever.
Yes, my vehicle is in great condition. It is well taken care off. I use premium fuel and synthetic oil at every scheduled oil change. It is washed and waxed weekly and garage kept.
