Gallonly
Menu

Theme

Chevrolet Tahoe vs Cadillac Escalade: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Chevrolet Tahoe is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $3,900 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Tahoe, 17 MPG combined), against $4,790 for the Cadillac Escalade (Escalade, 17 MPG combined). That is $890 a year, or $4,450 over five years.

Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Chevrolet Tahoe

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Tahoe

17 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
City
20 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$3,900

$26.00 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Cadillac Escalade

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Escalade

17 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
City
19 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$4,790

$31.93 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Chevrolet Tahoe$3,900 a year · $26.00 per 100 mi
  • Cadillac Escalade$4,790 a year · $31.93 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$890

Chevrolet Tahoe costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$4,450

$890 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Chevrolet Tahoe Cadillac Escalade
Lowest-cost configuration TahoeEscalade
Powertrain GasGas
Combined rating 17 MPG17 MPG
City rating 15 MPG15 MPG
Highway rating 20 MPG (better)19 MPG
Annual fuel cost $3,900/yr (better)$4,790/yr
Cost per 100 miles $26.00 (better)$31.93
Annual cost range, all configurations $3,900–$4,930$4,790–$6,180
Configurations in MY2026 63
EPA class Standard SUVsStandard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade
Powertrain Chevrolet Tahoe Cadillac Escalade
Gas 17 MPG · $3,900/yr Tahoe 17 MPG · $4,790/yr Escalade
Diesel 24 MPG · $3,960/yr Tahoe Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Chevrolet Tahoe

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $3,900 vs $4,790
  • Higher highway rating: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG
  • Offers diesel configurations in MY2026; the Cadillac Escalade does not

Cadillac Escalade

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Level on: combined rating (17 MPG), city rating (15 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade
Model year Chevrolet Tahoe Cadillac Escalade
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 16–24 MPG $3,900–$4,930 13–17 MPG $4,790–$6,180
2025 16–24 MPG $3,900–$4,930 13–17 MPG $4,790–$6,180
2024 16–24 MPG $3,880–$5,110 13–23 MPG $4,100–$6,060
2023 16–24 MPG $3,880–$5,110 13–23 MPG $4,100–$6,350
2022 16–24 MPG $3,880–$5,140 16–23 MPG $4,100–$5,140
2021 16–24 MPG $3,630–$5,180 16–23 MPG $4,050–$5,180
2020 17–18 MPG $3,710–$4,760 17 MPG $4,680–$4,850
2019 17–18 MPG $3,710–$4,760 17 MPG $4,680–$4,840
2018 17–19 MPG $3,410–$4,730 17 MPG $4,680–$4,820
2017 18–19 MPG $3,510–$3,660 17 MPG $3,770–$3,930
2016 18–19 MPG $3,530–$3,660 17 MPG $3,760–$3,870
2015 18 MPG $3,530–$3,660 16–17 MPG $3,760–$4,080
2014 17 MPG $3,810 14–16 MPG $4,180–$4,520
2013 17–21 MPG $3,100–$3,810 14–21 MPG $3,070–$4,520
2012 17–21 MPG $3,100–$3,860 14–21 MPG $3,070–$4,520
2011 17–21 MPG $3,100–$3,860 14–21 MPG $3,070–$4,520
2010 17–22 MPG $2,970–$3,840 15–22 MPG $2,970–$4,360
2009 14–21 MPG $3,110–$4,670 14–20 MPG $3,270–$4,670
2008 14–21 MPG $3,110–$5,740 14 MPG $5,740
2007 16–17 MPG $3,840–$4,080 14 MPG $5,740
2006 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670 13–14 MPG $5,740–$6,180
2005 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670 13–15 MPG $4,360–$6,180
2004 14–15 MPG $4,360–$4,670 13–14 MPG $4,670–$5,030
2003 13–15 MPG $4,360–$5,030 13–14 MPG $4,670–$5,030
2002 14–15 MPG $4,360–$4,670 12–14 MPG $4,670–$5,440
2000 13–15 MPG $4,360–$5,030 13 MPG $5,030

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Tahoe or the Cadillac Escalade?

The Chevrolet Tahoe is cheaper: about $3,900 a year against $4,790 for the Cadillac Escalade, a difference of $890 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Chevrolet Tahoe save over five years?

About $4,450 ($890 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Tahoe or the Cadillac Escalade?

Both are rated 17 MPG combined. City: 15 MPG vs 15 MPG. Highway: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Cadillac Escalade in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles