We’ve now had this vehicle for a year. It’s about to turn 36,000 miles. We just returned from a 1,200 mile round trip so thought a review was in order.
Pros:
- New platform is very refined for a pickup/body-on-frame SUV. There are no rattles, it’s quiet, and suspension is relatively well controlled for a beam axle truck with a lot of unstrung weight.
- Styling is conservative but appealing: GM has done it better than competitors.
- Towing capacity and range are very good. I didn’t expect the 5.3 to be much better than our 4.8’s, but it towed a 6,000# trailer with a lot of windage without issue.
- My wife and daughters like being up above traffic (except for other SUV/Pickups).
-I personally like the infotainment center compared to Ford, Honda and Subaru.
- Many friends have towed a bunch with over 100K so longevity/durability seems a strong point. Knock wood ours has been trouble free.
Cons:
-really high load floor.
- shortest family member is 5’8 and no one wants to sit in the 3rd row. After a 600 mile return trip with the two shortest back there, they were ready to walk home. IRS equipped Crossovers have much more room there.
- Getting in and out is a step, even with running boards.
- Ride and handling compared to any IRS Crossover is lousy. Pushing this vehicle on twisty roads results in a lot of body roll, understeer, numb steering and low cornering limits.
- I consider fuel economy neutral. It’s not very good: 13-14 in the city, 17.5 on the way back at 72mph with a Yakima roof box. But it is what we expected. Trip computer is haunted: from dead nuts accurate to 16% optimistic compared to actual se. Our MPG is right in line with Fuelly averages.
Our boat trailer can be stripped down to 5,000-ish lbs. I’ve suggested we look at Traverse or another three row Crossover. My wife and kids are undecided. As they drive it most of the time, I’ll let that dog sleep.