Considering Diesel

[Pro299]

Haven't driven a 6.2 so i can't say. I've had similar motors in other GM vehicles and they're quite strong. I feel the Duramax is plenty at posted speeds, but once it's past 70 or so it's more leisurely. Hills are no problem either. None of the annoying shifting up and down to get up a grade like most smaller engines tend to do. If the 6.2 and Duramax went head to head I'd expect the diesel to hang in there in the 1/8th but by the 1/4 mile the 6.2 would be long gone. Maybe someone will try it sometime and we'll find out. For most uses the diesel is strong enough and the mileage is far better. For max performance the 6.2 is the way to go.

 

[Chloe_21]

I have been trying to find some information on the new Yukon diesel Duramax from people who own them.

There are many videos out there but mostly from dealers. Some say their good and some say their bad. Not to get the diesel.

I want to try to find some information from people who own them how they perform what they do under a load towing.

My own dealer says don't buy it he's never sold one or ordered one for anyone that wanted it. It's a mistake you

will have a hard time trying to get rid of it later.



I've had two excursions with the 7.3 diesel. I know this is nothing like that.



I want to order a 2022 Yukon with the Duramax but I'm on the fence right now trying to decide.

A friend of mine knows somebody with a 2021 Tahoe Diesel, the Diesel had to be towed to the dealership because it went into limp mode. The reason was because she didn’t drive it enough and they had to flush out the DEF fluid as well.

 

[TollKeeper]

Make no mistake, the BabyMax is a fantastic engine.. But its a drivers engine, not a commuter engine.

If your driving less than 40 miles a day, this is not the engine for you.

The dozer will get clogged, the SCR will get clogged, DPF, DEF heater lines, and a few other things, that the warranty MIGHT not cover, as it could be considered driver negligence, or lack of maintenance.

I know of a few people that have the BM, pushing 50k miles (Oversize escorters for a windmill company in my town). One had a tie rod end failure (driver error), the other has had zero problems. They arent driven hard, but are driven distances. They drive to the decided stopping point, pick up the drivers from the semi trucks, go to a hotel, and go to bed. Do the same thing the next day. Depending on routes, 300-500 miles a day.

They dont drive them back home, they load them up on a trailer, and ride in the semi.

The biggest thing they love about them, they can actually go a daily distance WITHOUT having to stop to fuel up. The biggest thing they hate, truck drivers/Escorts typically are not what I would call thin, the seats suck (I agree with them).

One guy is trading his BM off for another (when it gets built), and the trade appraisal was much higher than he was expecting.

 

[Stbentoak]

Agreed, but this is my 3rd diesel vehicle and we do all kinds of mixed driving. We go weeks at a time only going 5-10 miles a day, but other times going 50-100 miles 2-4 times a months. Never had a DEF or SCR related issue on any of them. 2K miles on my Dmax with the same cycles, not a hint of a problem yet..#1 benefit... RANGE. Usually go 2 weeks on a tank at home. When traveling, If we fill up the night before, we can do 600 miles on a tank no problem the next day....
My last EcoDiesel Jeep needed a new DPF at about 70K miles as its useable life was basically shot. Replaced free under emissions warranty. Continued to work well past 100K when I sold it. My wife's 4 cyl Jag Ingenium Diesel averages 42-45 MPG on the highway and rolls right along at 80 with the best of them... Highly impressed with this vehicle also.
If you truly just drive around the block every day, ya, the Dmax may not be for you. But I'm saying they are more tolerant of short trips if you can get them out on the road every few weeks or so.
We are at the end of the line on diesel SUV's etc, so I'd snap one up now if this piques your interest. An EV Denali just doesn't trip my trigger like a Dmax Denali.....

 

[playadude]

I love my diesel. It's an engineering marvel, and the Tahoe has desperately needed it for years.

The concern is the emissions requirements placed on it.

So, the real question is the warranty.

My service manager told me he is not having very many come in with problems. He said to just drive it and have fun (which I do).

It's way better than a gasoline engine in the Tahoe. (Massive amounts of torque, tons of horsepower, even at Altitude here in Colorado).

Any normally aspirated motor will have significantly less torque and horsepower at 5,000 - 10,000 feet above sea level.

The diesel doesn't lose either because it's turbocharged.

It's frankly a fantastic machine.

(The new Tahoe suspension is equally impressive)

It's an incredible vehicle.

 

[Jeremie]

I agree that the diesel is an amazing engine. We've put over 5000 km and it drives awesome, has awesome mileage, and just feels great to drive. Nevermind the huge distance you can get with it.

 

[gregtay]

What does the diesel drive like compared to the 6.2? Does it feel quicker or accelerate faster off the line with the line?

The Duramax has better initial punch, so around town driving is awesome, you always have power. If you lined the two up next to each other and drag raced the Duramax will likely have a better launch, but after a short bit the 6.2 will will out. I have the Duramax in my Escalade and it is brilliant. So much better than the 6.2 which I thought was lazy and dull (and I was coming from a 6.4 SRT Durango... which was SOOO much better than the GM 6.2)

 

[Stbentoak]

I would have bought a Diesel Escalade, but they were even more rare than Dmax Denali's. No one in our area EVER would order one for stock.. GMC or Cadillac. Had to go a ways to get one. So far, fantastic. One of the best features of the vehicle so far... Hopefully it hangs in there !

Also, yesterday, I had to make an emergency 350 mile run in mine... best avg 29.7 MPG @ 80 MPH 90deg F. Pretty happy....

 

[Seamus]

I would have bought a Diesel Escalade, but they were even more rare than Dmax Denali's. No one in our area EVER would order one for stock.. GMC or Cadillac. Had to go a ways to get one. So far, fantastic. One of the best features of the vehicle so far... Hopefully it hangs in there !

Also, yesterday, I had to make an emergency 350 mile run in mine... best avg 29.7 MPG @ 80 MPH 90deg F. Pretty happy....

I am a new B Duramax owner in the Sierra Denali. Love it and did the same research most of us do. It is a fantastic engine. I have owned the rocketship 6.2 in prior generation. Loved that motor. But this 3.0 and ten speed is crazy good. I only have 2100 miles on her. I dropped the oil at 1200 miles and did the rear diff at 1400 miles. Very surprised at how dirty the rear diff oil was. Happy I changed it out as I will be towing interstate later this month. But here in Florida its tough to drive under 80 mph. You will get run over!! I average 76-80 mph with AC on and can only muster 23.6-24.8 mph??? I am easy on the pedal and at 80 mph cant get near 29 mpg. City is 20-22 mpg. This is driving very nice and no idling. How many miles do you have on your presently, and did you notice an increase in mileage at some point??? I have seen all the videos and heard all the stories of 30 mpg. I can only do that on slower roads at 55 mph and only for 50-60 miles then starts ticking down.

 

[Stbentoak]

I cleared my mileage before I left and left it on 50 mile increments. It jumped between 26 and 29.7 thru the 350 miles. I'm saying overall on the 350 it prob got 27 as an overall average. It hit 30.3 previously on a 150 mile run.
I'm saying on a Yukon, 30 MPG is potentially attainable, but probably at this big boxes top end. For as big a vehicle as it is and all it can haul and do, I'm elated at anything above 25. Many crappy 4 cyl cars don't get 25...
The key for me is dependability and longevity. If I can get both from this combination with reasonable maintenance I will be more than happy. So far still in honeymoon stage and all is great!