Yes, there is a big diff. between the two as far as options. The Espresso is the semi-custom line, less choices for color and door style, as opposed to Cabico Cuisine where you can customize doors and even have a custom color.
Espresso comes in stock sizes i.e. 15, 18, 21, 24:, etc. where Cabico Cuisine is fully customizable. If you need a 13 1/2" wide, it can be done. Height, width and depth can be custom sizes.
Espresso has a 1/4" reveal where the side panel meets the faceframe (the faceframe extends 1/4" past the side edge) where Cabico Cuisine doesn't -- it's completely flush. This is only noticeable on ends;
Cabico Cuisine has blumotion hinges, Espresso has similar, but both have lifetime guarantee;
Cabico Cuisine has over 100 door styles (fully customizable), Espresso has limited;
Cabico Cuisine allows you to choose your sheen, where Espresso has only a mid (25%) sheen;
Espresso has 16 door styles, 12 stains, 3 paints and 5 glazes;
Cabico Cuisine comes frameless, overlay and inset. Espresso only frameless and overlay.

Espresso is the way Cabico used to make their cabinets. They upgraded their technology, but kept the old to fill that niche.
You're saving money by having a limited number of skews, but both are quality cabinets. You can also mix Cuisine and Espresso in your design.
I hope this helps, and if you need any more info., I would be happy to help!

wow, thanks! Can you tell me the difference between the cabinet construction? I actually picked out a door style available in both espresso and cabico cuisine lines so Im torn.

Cabico Cuisine:
Box - Plywood or engineered wood
Back - 5/8" full plywood
Drawer Box - 5/8" dovetail, solid wood, 3/8" bottoms; full-extension under-mount slides, soft-close and Blumotion
Faceframe - 3/4" solid hardwood
Shelves - 3/4" particle on particle cabs. and plywood on plywood

Espresso
Box - Plywood or engineered wood
Back - particle = 1/8" masonite; plywood = 1/4" plywood, both with full width hanging cleats
Drawer Box - 5/8" dovetailed solid wood, 1/4" drawer bottoms, full-extension under-mount slides, soft-close
Faceframe - 3/4" solid hardwood
Shelves - 3/4" shelves, particle on particle, plywood on plywood
HTH!

which do you recommend?

That depends on budget and design. If your layout will support standard sizes, then Espresso is way more economical. If you're using inset, you can only go with Cuisine. Espresso only offers 2 types of hood mantles. As far as value, you really can't loose either way.
I'm doing a kitchen right now that incorporates both lines. It came down to budget, but I didn't want to skimp on the design.
And finally, what does your KD feel about this?

He thinks for long term the cuisine line may be better if we can afford it because of the thickness of the back on it, which makes me a little nervous to get the espresso. But the price is really good on the espresso.

You gave me a thought though - Im not loving the island he is showing me, I wonder if cuisine has more options. I wish I could see them without having to keep going back and forth with him.

The advantage to the 5/8" plywood is for extremely heavy objects in extremely wide cabinets. (i.e. 39" or 42" and larger). Ultimately, if price were not an issue, go with Cuisine. On the other hand, Espresso is still a quality cabinet.
The reason behind the 2 diff. Cabico lines is because Cabico lost it's factory in 2005 (due to fire) and replaced the Espresso technology and upgraded to Cuisine, instead of having 2 factories with the same stuff. And, they saw a need in the market for a line like Espresso.
I sense, like many people I talk to, that your KD is steering you in a direction based on their bottom line. Obviously people need to make a profit. But, I can let you know cost-wise some options for saving if you have either a parts list or a layout. And, since the doors are the same, mixing the lines is probably do-able.

should I just do the cabico espresso in plywood or is that a waste of money?

Is Espresso a waste of money? Absolutely not.
You can also save money by not using plywood with Cuisine. So...
There are so many variables from one kitchen to another. And without more info, I can't tell you which line is better for you. I would not be afraid to go back to your KD and raise some of these concerns with him/her. That's what they're there for.

Okay, thank you!

Do you know the available configurations of the islands in the espresso line vs. cuisine?

Ah, okay. Im really starting to question my kitchen designer/design.

I'm sorry to hear that. If you need any more help, let me know.

This is a shot in the dark, but is paintergirl 94 around? I have a question about mixing finishes in the Cabico Cuisine line.
Our main color was Maple Columbia in the espresso line. I was thinking of doing the island in a light cream color with a glaze and I was wondering if you had any suggestions?

Thanks.

Are you doing the island in Espresso or Cuisine? Obviously more choices w/Cuisine. But, I think mixing the 2 finishes will look great.

Oh, great! Doing the island in cuisine.