In need of a new SUV

[b4z]

We rented a 2016 in January to go to Florida. Very nice truck. Very comfortable and quiet. Had a tire balance issue and at 80 mph it started vibrating at 83 mph it was unacceptable to go at the speed. Afm kicked in at light throttle positions and it felt like it was lugging which would vibrate the truck. Mpg was impressive. 20.7 mpg for the whole trip. Including traffic jams. 23 mpg steady state.

 

[WillCO]

Opinions are all over the place here, which would tell me this is an internet forum with lots of passionate people on either side of the issue. I read between the lines on a few posts and wonder whether the trucks have been put away wet a few times, though I concede the best-built trucks are more tolerant of that than the worst.

There's not a ton of powertrain evolution between the last 2 generations on the 5.3, so I'd discount any advice that sounds like "what you really need is one of the older ones" unless you're after a 6.2 or you are concerned about the 3rd row seat mechanism. The issue with the steering is unfortunate; I'm happy mine doesn't seem to be afflicted.

The Consumer Reports study is suspect because they list the Tahoe/Yukon, the Suburban/Yukon XL, and the Escalade as three separate vehicles each making its own poor showing and each occupying its own space on the bad list. It seems like any rigorous testing organization would conclude that all of those are mechanically equivalent or near enough, and combine them for results purposes. The treatment they did provide smacks of quid-pro-quo.

You have to go in with your eyes open. If you set aside the recent CR article, the reviews of these trucks are widely positive - particularly from JD Power. Here's the 2016 Tahoe page - all scores pegged to the wall.

 

[cardude2000]

Opinions are all over the place here, which would tell me this is an internet forum with lots of passionate people on either side of the issue. I read between the lines on a few posts and wonder whether the trucks have been put away wet a few times, though I concede the best-built trucks are more tolerant of that than the worst.

There's not a ton of powertrain evolution between the last 2 generations on the 5.3, so I'd discount any advice that sounds like "what you really need is one of the older ones" unless you're after a 6.2 or you are concerned about the 3rd row seat mechanism. The issue with the steering is unfortunate; I'm happy mine doesn't seem to be afflicted.

The Consumer Reports study is suspect because they list the Tahoe/Yukon, the Suburban/Yukon XL, and the Escalade as three separate vehicles each making its own poor showing and each occupying its own space on the bad list. It seems like any rigorous testing organization would conclude that all of those are mechanically equivalent or near enough, and combine them for results purposes. The treatment they did provide smacks of quid-pro-quo.

You have to go in with your eyes open. If you set aside the recent CR article, the reviews of these trucks are widely positive - particularly from JD Power. Here's the 2016 Tahoe page - all scores pegged to the wall.

Consumer reports test all platform variants of all cars/trucks. Not sure why that's fishy to you...

Either way, both organizations work in very different ways. It's important to understand how each organization works for sure. Eyes wide open is important.

https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/why-consumer-reports-and-j-d-power-are-so-different/




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[bgsntth]

I rented two Yukons XL's before I purchased my current Z71, and they all vibrate(d) at about 80 - 85mph. I've had my Z71 road forced balanced (Hunter) at a speed shop, which only made it a bit better. I do not think it is a tire balance issue. The only time I go 85mph is on the I5 between NorCal and SoCal, so I have learned to live with it (i.e., drive 82mph). If I was driving over 80mph on a consistent basis, I would probably get the new Discovery 5. Every Land Rover product I have owned cruises at a 100+ mph with (HR rated) AT tires smooth and effortlessly. Better offroad too, but the Suburban has tons of space.

 

[BK76]

So is the 2018 Sequoia changing? I looked online...it was hard to believe its still the same since 2008...but it is. I have seen 2 images for 2018 Sequoia but one looks like the 2017 (and 2008) and another looks like a bigger version of the 4Runner but wasn't sure if it was just a "dream design" or actual design.

Both of these images are for 2018 Sequoia

 

[WillCO]

Consumer reports test all platform variants of all cars/trucks. Not sure why that's fishy to you...

It's not fishy to me that they test them all. It's odd that they report them as separate models when they really aren't. If you have a top 10 list of least reliable cars and 3 of the spaces are occupied by vehicles mechanically identical to each other, you're making a statement, either on purpose or inadvertently. I am not sure which it is. It would seem more reasonable to group them all together, except maybe the Cadillac that has more electronics differences.

Either way, both organizations work in very different ways. It's important to understand how each organization works for sure. Eyes wide open is important.

https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/why-consumer-reports-and-j-d-power-are-so-different/

Very good article, thanks for posting. To sum it up - Consumer Reports is predicted reliability based on previous performance. JD Power is measured reliability based on aggregated tests of vehicles, either for initial quality or 3-year quality depending on which test. It is a different methodology indeed.

 

[cardude2000]

It's not fishy to me that they test them all. It's odd that they report them as separate models when they really aren't. If you have a top 10 list of least reliable cars and 3 of the spaces are occupied by vehicles mechanically identical to each other, you're making a statement, either on purpose or inadvertently. I am not sure which it is. It would seem more reasonable to group them all together, except maybe the Cadillac that has more electronics differences.

Very good article, thanks for posting. To sum it up - Consumer Reports is predicted reliability based on previous performance. JD Power is measured reliability based on aggregated tests of vehicles, either for initial quality or 3-year quality depending on which test. It is a different methodology indeed.

Electronics/interfaces have a lot do with cars these days so it seems reasonable to list them separately. If they had tested and surveyed amazingly nobody would be complaining.

I'd also add that all Toyota/Lexus and Nissan/Infiniti variants were rated individually.

As for the tests...CR tests AND does independent surveys to the tune of 200-400 surveys per vehicle.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/10/consumer-reports-car-reliability-faq/index.htm




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[nj16yukon]

BK76 - This is the 2018 Sequoia from the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. I believe this is the TRD trim. Looks more like your first pic.

 

[WillCO]

^ It's a carryover. Rock solid vehicle, but the interior was dated the day it came out in 2009. The vehicle was a non-starter for me because I didn't want to stare at all that hard, gray plastic whenever I drove it..

 

[hunter991]

Thats correct. They are making no changes to the sequioa.. 2018 will be the same as my 2010. Not interested. Especially when they can't get gas mileage over 17 on the hwy.