2015 Denali vs 2016 Tahoe

[AZ18D]

Looking between buying a 2015 Yukon Denali, 55k miles or a 2016 Tahoe 45k miles. Both single owner and good carfax history. Scared about the many issues the 2015 Yukon’s have. Looking for some advice. Thank you!

 

[dpollak81]

Not sure if the Tahoe is fully loaded but definitely a difference in equipment between the 2.

If the Denali has the 8speed I’d probably stay away or make sure you have a solid warranty. If the Tahoe is fully loaded you’ll get some pretty solid updates like Apple car play, full auto braking and smart cruise control (if it has that package) that all came for 2016 and a better transmission.

But the Denali is intoxicating with the 6.2. It has a lot more power and feels it.

 

[MrMonte]

Prices are dropping, if you can wait get a 2018 - 2020 Denali. I have a 2018 (6.2L/10 speed) & my son has a 2015 (6.2L/6 speed). Last week we both our Denali's on a 400 mile road trip & both loaded about the same. I got 26mpg, he got 19.5mpg & we both have our AFM turned off. My lifetime avg with 67K miles is 20.7mpg with plenty of sitting idling & traffic.

2 weeks after buying his 2015 used with 130K miles he had the dreaded AFM lifter failure but cam was good. Also all 4 shocks needed to be replaced. After that it has been a great rig.

 

[AZ18D]

Not sure if the Tahoe is fully loaded but definitely a difference in equipment between the 2.

If the Denali has the 8speed I’d probably stay away or make sure you have a solid warranty. If the Tahoe is fully loaded you’ll get some pretty solid updates like Apple car play, full auto braking and smart cruise control (if it has that package) that all came for 2016 and a better transmission.

But the Denali is intoxicating with the 6.2. It has a lot more power and feels it.

Thanks man. The Tahoe is an LT fully loaded. All the options the LTZ has. Captain seats, DVD player, etc. The Denali is in fact the dreaded 8 speed tranny, single only and only serviced at the dealership. It’s beautiful and I would really like the 6.2, but I’m scared after reading many reviews.

 

[AZ18D]

Prices are dropping, if you can wait get a 2018 - 2020 Denali. I have a 2018 (6.2L/10 speed) & my son has a 2015 (6.2L/6 speed). Last week we both our Denali's on a 400 mile road trip & both loaded about the same. I got 26mpg, he got 19.5mpg & we both have our AFM turned off. My lifetime avg with 67K miles is 20.7mpg with plenty of sitting idling & traffic.

2 weeks after buying his 2015 used with 130K miles he had the dreaded AFM lifter failure but cam was good. Also all 4 shocks needed to be replaced. After that it has been a great rig.

Thanks for the reply. I can’t wait unfortunately, my wife totaled her 2015 suburban LTZ in a flood last week and we need to turn in the rental the insurance provided on Wednesday. Also considering an escalate. What seems strange is the 2015 escalate doesn’t seem to have the same bad reviews yet has the same 8 speed tranny and 6.2 V8. The Denali I’m looking at is a single owner and only serviced at the dealership, 55k miles. My budget is 40k which limits me a bit

 

[zbad55]

I would just decide on which features fit you best as well as the color and the looks. I have a 2016 Tahoe and the wife has a 2015 Yukon and the yukon drives way better than the tahoe IMO. I'm sure the Denali has more options but you will have to decide which one you want. You don't mention price so this would also be a factor.

 

[AZ18D]

I would just decide on which features fit you best as well as the color and the looks. I have a 2016 Tahoe and the wife has a 2015 Yukon and the yukon drives way better than the tahoe IMO. I'm sure the Denali has more options but you will have to decide which one you want. You don't mention price so this would also be a factor.

They are both about the same price. 40k out the door. The main difference is the engine, Tahoe comes fully loaded, leather, DVD player, etc. Both white…my main concern is the 8 speed transmission on the Yukon, got me scared after looking on the inter webs. The Yukon is local which is a big plus, the Tahoe I’ll have to fly to pick it up. I would prefer the looks of the Yukon and the bigger engine, the tranny is what has torn and undecided.

 

[Tonyv__]

Looking between buying a 2015 Yukon Denali, 55k miles or a 2016 Tahoe 45k miles. Both single owner and good carfax history. Scared about the many issues the 2015 Yukon’s have. Looking for some advice. Thank you!

So I did buy a 2015 Yukon Denali in 2020. Had 52k miles then. Has about 66k now. I’ll break down my experience for you. We bought it impulsively. It was over budget and barely on the lot for less than a day. We found it online while driving home from another lot that left us disappointed in the Yukon they had..

So the pros.

- That 6.2 is a monster IMO
- I’m fairly certain I have the 6 speed. - All the features work

Things I’ve added
- factory apple car play from some website. So I have a totally factory OEM system. It’s sourced from newer Yukons. Then you can sell your equipment on eBay
- factory power running boards. The truck is equipped to have running boards. And a member on here can sell you a high quality harness. It’s as close to plug and play as you can get

Cons
- the drivers tail light has failed on me twice. I’ve opened it and soldered it both times because I refuse to buy a new light when they haven’t corrected the internals.. (I could be wrong but was told by gmc that the taillight hasn’t changed even when replacing under warranty)
- front mag ride shock started leaking earlier this year. Expensive repair
- front wheel bearing went out this year also. But that’s not a Yukon specific problem

Overall I love the damn truck and have zero buyers remorse about it

Good luck in your decision

 

[AZ18D]

So I did buy a 2015 Yukon Denali in 2020. Had 52k miles then. Has about 66k now. I’ll break down my experience for you. We bought it impulsively. It was over budget and barely on the lot for less than a day. We found it online while driving home from another lot that left us disappointed in the Yukon they had..

So the pros.

- That 6.2 is a monster IMO
- I’m fairly certain I have the 6 speed. - All the features work

Things I’ve added
- factory apple car play from some website. So I have a totally factory OEM system. It’s sourced from newer Yukons. Then you can sell your equipment on eBay
- factory power running boards. The truck is equipped to have running boards. And a member on here can sell you a high quality harness. It’s as close to plug and play as you can get

Cons
- the drivers tail light has failed on me twice. I’ve opened it and soldered it both times because I refuse to buy a new light when they haven’t corrected the internals.. (I could be wrong but was told by gmc that the taillight hasn’t changed even when replacing under warranty)
- front mag ride shock started leaking earlier this year. Expensive repair
- front wheel bearing went out this year also. But that’s not a Yukon specific problem

Overall I love the damn truck and have zero buyers remorse about it

Good luck in your decision

Thanks for the breakdown! I think the 6 speed is solid which is the only thing that had me considering the Tahoe. I just found an escalate same year, same miles, same price which is now really making things difficult. I’m going to go test drive the Denali tomorrow, it’s the only one that’s local. I appreciate your input

 

[MrMonte]

The Denali I’m looking at is a single owner and only serviced at the dealership, 55k miles. My budget is 40k which limits me a bit

The key to AFM survival is 5K miles or less oil changes. I bought my 2018 Yukon Denali Ultimate used with 50K miles for $50K on a 1 owner 4 months ago.