Quite simply, do you get better quality/reliability from a Cadillac vs a Chevy? Cadillac (being a luxury car line) has alwys had more prestige, and I suspect that they are of better assembly quality. Is this borne out by the facts-e.g.-is an Escalade better than a Tahoe?
In terms of reliability, I don’t think so – cars like the Tahoe/Escalade are (I believe) basically mechanically the same vehicle. The changes are mainly cosmetic and “luxury-based” (interior, luxury options, etc.) I don’t know if build quality in general is any different, although you might have nicer interior materials that result in better fit and finish inside the Escalade.
But that example is specific in that the vehicles are very similar and the differences are mainly cosmetic – comparing a Cadillac CTS to a Chevrolet Impala might bring about a different answer.
As reliability goes, a luxury car does not a greater than average chance of being more reliable than a lower priced car made on the same platform. Most US and Japanese luxury cars are built on the same platform as mainstream brands. Many of the mechanical components on a Cadillac are identical to those on a Chevrolet. Those that are not are designed and manufactured by the same suppliers that furnish the Chevrolet components. No additional attention is given to longevity when the parts are being drafted.
The manufacturers assume that if you can afford the car then you can afford to maintain the service schedules and won’t delay getting something fixed to the point that it affects other systems. Regular service gives the appearance that a higher priced brand is more reliable, but that service can cost more in the long run than waiting until there’s a problem. There is also a reluctance on the part of luxury car owners to admit that their vehicle is less than envious in some regard.
Cadillacs are quieter. They are tuned for a smoother ride. Higher quality materials are used in the interior. Luxury cars are often used as the testbed for new electronics and options. Those features can be difficult to use or be less reliable than proven systems in cheaper cars, but the service dept is likely to treat you better than the cheaper alternative.
The Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe are all built on the GMT920 platform. The top-of-the-line Tahoe LTZ will cost $10K less than the base Escalade and be functionally equivalent. All consumer GM trucks and SUVs are built from the generic 900 platform.
I was just meeting with a former GM Detroit female engr yesterday…she has both a new Tahoe and Escalade. I will email her and ask her.
She is the most nit picky person I know; she’d complain if she was about to be hung by a frayed rope. She also worked in Quality at GM for many years. Now with a GM supplier doing same
No.
Luxury versions of basic models just have a lot more doo-dads to break.