Have to replace my 2015 Yukon XL Denali

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

SpyShops212

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Posts
400
Reaction score
376
Look at the 2018-2020 Escalade Luxury. The Luxury doesn't have the problematic electric side steps nor the problematic ACC cruise radar sensor. I have a 2018 Luxury that has the 10-speed. Only get the 2018-2020 Escalade, RST, or Denali with the 6.2 10 speed. I see some dealers offer lifetime powertrain warranty which you will have to change the oil every 4k miles. The Escalade has 360 camera, tour/sport mode, rear camera mirror, bigger side mirrors, nice interior, LCD cluster, heads-up display, auto parking, CUE radio, killer 16 speaker Bose, solar windsheild/side windows, LED headlights/tail-lights and much more.



level suspension.jpeg
 

Seamus

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2019
Posts
298
Reaction score
398
Location
Palm Beach
I have had power floor boards and adaptive cruise ever since it was offered years ago on all my trucks. My truck is 4 yrs old and my wifes is now 7 yrs old and never one issue with either. All of my trucks were Florida trucks I would never own anything from up north with salt, potholes and cold starts. Issues with floorboards and adaptive cruise is really salt and frozen ice and snow in boards. No issues in southern hot states. And my wifes truck is opened and closed 100 times a day, so those floorboards get quite a workout! Its one motor if there ever is an issue so its a small one.
 
OP
OP
S

StephenW

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2016
Posts
71
Reaction score
13
Look at the 2018-2020 Escalade Luxury. The Luxury doesn't have the problematic electric side steps nor the problematic ACC cruise radar sensor. I have a 2018 Luxury that has the 10-speed. Only get the 2018-2020 Escalade, RST, or Denali with the 6.2 10 speed. I see some dealers offer lifetime powertrain warranty which you will have to change the oil every 4k miles. The Escalade has 360 camera, tour/sport mode, rear camera mirror, bigger side mirrors, nice interior, LCD cluster, heads-up display, auto parking, CUE radio, killer 16 speaker Bose, solar windsheild/side windows, LED headlights/tail-lights and much more.



View attachment 446290
We had the power running boards on our Denali, they were temperamental. But spent a lot of time in New England.

Never had an issue with the adaptive cruise.
 

tooleyondeck

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Posts
408
Reaction score
791
Location
Northwest FL
Definitely opt for the 18-20 w/ 10spd. I recently tested a 20 Denali and a 19 Esky Platinum and I will just say the Esky was nice but I didn’t like that all of the controls were one giant haptic feedback type panel, no physical controls for the radio/AC/etc so if that thing goes out you’re screwed so definitely get an extended warranty if you go Esky.
 

SpyShops212

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Posts
400
Reaction score
376
Definitely opt for the 18-20 w/ 10spd. I recently tested a 20 Denali and a 19 Esky Platinum and I will just say the Esky was nice but I didn’t like that all of the controls were one giant haptic feedback type panel, no physical controls for the radio/AC/etc so if that thing goes out you’re screwed so definitely get an extended warranty if you go Esky.
The AC is set on AUTO which does have physical buttons. I always use the steering wheel controls. I don't have any issues with my CUE in my 2018 Escalade. The 2015-2017 had screen issues where it would crack. The 2018-2020 corrected the problem. I owned a 2016 Tahoe LT from 2016-2020 and now a 2018 Escalade and I think the Escalade has better graphics and is more modern. If the CUE goes out you can fix it for $100 for the screen or $300 to replace. My 2016 Tahoe didn't have a magnetic ride and I hated driving it the whole lease term. It was supposed to be a replacement for my 2008 Escalade which I ended up driving more then my 2016 Tahoe. I will never buy a GM truck again without a magnetic ride or some kind of computerized suspension.

Here is my 2008 Escalade road sensing suspension, 2016 Tahoe LT conventional shocks & 2018 Escalade Luxury magnetic ride.

The difference between the 2008 road sensing suspension & 2018 magnetic ride is when driving on the highway the truck stays in control at 60 MPH and up. I was able to compare the three trucks for a few years. The 2016 Tahoe's conventional suspension sucked.

IMG_3759.JPG
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,557
Reaction score
16,448
Location
Richmond, VA
The AC is set on AUTO which does have physical buttons. I always use the steering wheel controls. I don't have any issues with my CUE in my 2018 Escalade. The 2015-2017 had screen issues where it would crack. The 2018-2020 corrected the problem. I owned a 2016 Tahoe LT from 2016-2020 and now a 2018 Escalade and I think the Escalade has better graphics and is more modern. If the CUE goes out you can fix it for $100 for the screen or $300 to replace. My 2016 Tahoe didn't have a magnetic ride and I hated driving it the whole lease term. It was supposed to be a replacement for my 2008 Escalade which I ended up driving more then my 2016 Tahoe. I will never buy a GM truck again without a magnetic ride or some kind of computerized suspension.

Here is my 2008 Escalade road sensing suspension, 2016 Tahoe LT conventional shocks & 2018 Escalade Luxury magnetic ride.

The difference between the 2008 road sensing suspension & 2018 magnetic ride is when driving on the highway the truck stays in control at 60 MPH and up. I was able to compare the three trucks for a few years. The 2016 Tahoe's conventional suspension sucked.

View attachment 446686
I like this. The correct combined number of GMT900 or K2xx rigs to own for personal use is indeed three. Well done, sir, and please carry on.
 

lbenson

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2021
Posts
79
Reaction score
54
No significant issues with my 2018 Denali with the 10-speed. 123k miles on it now. Most expensive repair has been the front struts at 90k and rear shocks at 105k (ordered the OEM parts online for both repairs and had my dealer install, they wanted nearly $1000/strut but found the same OEM parts for less than $500 each). Engine mounts were another expense (110k miles). Otherwise normal wear and tear items too. But overall very reliable and has never left me stranded.
 

Bigkevschopshop

Full Access Member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Posts
817
Reaction score
2,045
Location
Northside H-Town
17 Esky here, trans can have a little clunky at 1-2 shift when cold, once warm butter. And I like the extra acceleration of the 8 speed when giving her the coals.

No issues really to speak of. Preventative trans flushes are key I think also. Mine had front struts replaced at 50k by PO, and rears are leaking now but still work fine. I replaced the cue screen when it was having a mind of its own. 145 bucks and 1 hour of my time, FIXED.

I will say the Platinum gets you massaging seats, and its a feature you didnt know you wanted. I love the black headliner and pillars also. That was the selling point for me getting a platinum. Currently sitting at 83k, and still no major issues.

My 2015 Suburban LTZ had lifter failure at 77k, and had struts replaced under X warranty. Traded it in a 98k miles, was still running stellar.

10 Speed is more dialed in than the 8 speed so If your going for 6.2 then go 18 to 20. If you want a bit cheaper then I would stick to 17 area since the 15 and 16 both have some issues they were working out still and I can tell the difference from Mag ride between 15 to the 17 is night and day.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
133,144
Posts
1,880,518
Members
98,150
Latest member
dph1994
Top