Even a spate of price hikes cannot dim the popularity of the Cadillac Escalade. This comes as no surprise, though, as the big Caddy is chock full of luxury and gadgets, offers plenty of space for large families, and even comes in handy when something needs to be towed. What's more, it's got enough presence to keep even the most discerning influencer satisfied.
The Escalade competes in a segment bristling with talent and yet it still manages to best the competition when it comes to the all-important sales race. In the first quarter of 2022, Cadillac delivered a staggering 10,505 examples of the full-size SUV to customers. Even though it's a newcomer, the Grand Wagoneer performed well with 3,169 units sold. But the surprise comes in the form of the Navigator - a mere 2,148 examples were sold over the same period.
The Navigator's poor sales represent a decline of nearly 56% when compared to the same period last year. This has nothing to do with the car, but most likely the crippling chip shortage which continues to hamper supply. The Japanese alternatives trail behind their American counterparts, with Infiniti managing to move just 1,064 examples of the elderly QX80.
Elsewhere, the talented Lexus LX performed poorly. Like the Navigator, it's unlikely that this is a reflection on the LX's capabilities, but rather the chip crisis. Lexus also missed out on nearly a month of sales, only launching the new LX at the end of January. Lexus shifted just 558 units in the same period. Interestingly, it's the German alternatives that pose the biggest threat to the Escalade.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and BMW X7 may not be as large or rugged as their body-on-frame counterparts but strike back with superior on-road comfort and refinement. The sales figures reflect this.
Stuttgart's largest SUV flew out of the showroom, with 6,203 GLS-Class models sold in the first quarter of 2022. But BMW did better still, the X7 outselling its rival by just 259 units, for a total of 6,462. Will the Cadillac be able to retain the sales crown in the coming months? It's possible, but the new Range Rover will undoubtedly woo buyers away from the all-American SUV. Then again, the Escalade-V is also set to arrive very soon.
What's more, as the chip crisis hopefully subsides and supply stabilizes, other manufacturers may have the inventory needed to keep up with supply. It's also worth noting that the GLS, previously only available in 450 guise, is now reportedly available to order with a V8, which will certainly attract more customers. For now, the Escalade remains the top dog and, in total, represents 34,8% of the total market.