Question from a first time buyer - Tahoe or Yukon advantages/disadvantages

[DaveL]

Welcome from SoCal. Congrats on the milestones. A 200k Camry is typical. Expect about 400k from a diesel Tahoe or Yukon. You posted in the right forum for a look into these GM trucks. I especially like the household appliance analogy on sister brands made by the same company.

On getting a new truck now …

The seats: They have gotten firmer and more narrow as stated. Rent a Tahoe, Yukon & Escalade for a weekend drive mini vacation. Put at least 2hr seat time in each one. Compare interior noise specifically noting how loud your conversation has to be with the radio off. THIS is where laminated door glass eliminates pays back every drive.

Lighting, you’ll 100% want to drive at night with these new trucks. Best lighting lowers driving fatigue, heightens safety and longtime vehicle enjoyment.

Drivetrain: “One of America's most beloved turbodiesel engines, the 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax, powering the GM full-size SUVs, has just bid farewell to the car industry for good. GM killed it last week. August 8 was the final day customers could order an SUV powered by the Duramax.“

If you want a 3.0L baby Duramax, consider a preloved Escalade because you’re now kinda committed to preowned inventory. The depreciation will offset the higher price point but the diesel is almost immune to wear.

Drive all of them and consider the long run. Keep in mind you’re likely going to have this truck for a long time so features and options will matter.

I'm not sure where the quote came from about killing the duramax. I watched all the launch videos for the 2025 Tahoe and the 2025 Yukon. They went out of their way to say how the newer version of the Duramax would be available in all of the trim levels including the off road versions. They had to redesign the front end to expand the cooling for the Duramax to make it available in those trim lines.

 

[petethepug]

Sorry, that wasn’t insightful on my part to leave the link out. I do hope it’s not true because I do have my heart set on a diesel too.

The Beloved Duramax Engine Has Just Gotten Killed, What Will GM Use in Its Place?

General Motors has ditched the 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax turbo-diesel engine from the full-size SUV lineup starting this month

www.autoevolution.com

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Sorry, that wasn’t insightful on my part to leave the link out. I do hope it’s not true because I do have my heart set on a diesel too.

The Beloved Duramax Engine Has Just Gotten Killed, What Will GM Use in Its Place?

General Motors has ditched the 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax turbo-diesel engine from the full-size SUV lineup starting this month

www.autoevolution.com

Same link, 2 paragraphs later, says for 2025 and on the enhanced 3l Duramax is in it. The LM2 is phased out and replaced by the LZ0. Pays to read the whole article.

 

[NorthGeorgia]

Hello,
I just purchased a Tahoe 'High Country'. Has most of the 'bells and whistles'. I like the 'auto' running boards. A lot of 'digital' electronic stuff that I haven't learned the half of it. I will admit though I am disappointed about some of the 'hype' they talked about is not really available unless you pay for a subscription to 'OnStar'. GPS may be 'Google' but you will have to pay for it. I use my phone so can still 'navigate'. The one 'accessory' I don't have is the 'Hands free' ability. I would not use it if I had it but if one does have that ability you won't be able to use it unless you have an OnStar subscription. I do have the camera that can read road sign speed limits but it can't do it without an OnStar subscription. I wonder what other 'nice-i-ties' I can't use without OnStar? But, all in all I am satisfied with this vehicle. I am traveling on an extended mileage trip and with this 6.2L engine I am getting as much as 24-25mpg's. Yeah, that is quite astounding.....to me. But, you do have to use 'Premium' gasoline.....anywhere from 50 to 70 cents more a gallon. I did see that one of the posts indicated the GMC version will give you 3 years of OnStar? so you can utilize the 'bells and whistles'??? I have a 2021 Canyon Denali and I can't say it's 'premium' status is all that wonderful.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Hello,
I just purchased a Tahoe 'High Country'. Has most of the 'bells and whistles'. I like the 'auto' running boards. A lot of 'digital' electronic stuff that I haven't learned the half of it. I will admit though I am disappointed about some of the 'hype' they talked about is not really available unless you pay for a subscription to 'OnStar'. GPS may be 'Google' but you will have to pay for it. I use my phone so can still 'navigate'. The one 'accessory' I don't have is the 'Hands free' ability. I would not use it if I had it but if one does have that ability you won't be able to use it unless you have an OnStar subscription. I do have the camera that can read road sign speed limits but it can't do it without an OnStar subscription. I wonder what other 'nice-i-ties' I can't use without OnStar? But, all in all I am satisfied with this vehicle. I am traveling on an extended mileage trip and with this 6.2L engine I am getting as much as 24-25mpg's. Yeah, that is quite astounding.....to me. But, you do have to use 'Premium' gasoline.....anywhere from 50 to 70 cents more a gallon. I did see that one of the posts indicated the GMC version will give you 3 years of OnStar? so you can utilize the 'bells and whistles'??? I have a 2021 Canyon Denali and I can't say it's 'premium' status is all that wonderful.

You are correct, that to use the included onboard apps, you need an active data connection...If you have ATT, you can add your vehicle to your cell phone plan for something like $10/month. If not, you have to get the data via onstar (although some have reported you can turn your phone into a hotspot, connect your infotainment system to it via wifi, and get data that way, but it is clunky at best). The "app access" plan which will give your infotainment system apps life from OnStar is $14.99/month ($180/year). FWIW, the old DVD based navigation systems update disk was around $300 and it came out annually...so $180/year to have up to date Google maps is a relative bargain...but agree, you can use CarPlay/Android Auto to get many of the same features via those platforms.

FYI, the camera does not read road signs, the dash and HUD speed limit sign display takes its info from the Google Maps...so if you don't have the data active, it doesn't work. Turn it off in the cluster settings if you are annoyed at seeing it blank.

This is the new GM strategy, subscription services...but you are correct, in the GMC's and Caddy's, you get 3 years of these services included in your purchase...helps justify the higher price tag. Used buyers are SOL...sometimes OnStar gives some free trials for used car buyers...check the web site.

 

[petethepug]

Very happy I’m misinformed by not reading the entire article. Sorry about pulling everyone
into their click bait with me.

 

[BacDoc]

If you have IPhone or Android phone (not completely sure about Android as I have iPhone) you can get all the google mapping services through carplay without any excess charges. Carplay enables your infotainment system to do most of what your phone does. You can access google if you have the google app on phone. I just had the Data Gateway update done and had to re sign in to google. This can be done with out any subscription fee if your phone is Bluetooth connected through carplay.

I got GM WiFi connection which is $25/month but I think I got a discount for paying year subscription. It is pretty good IMO. If you use certain apps the WiFi connection is mostly better than cellular in my area.

 

[NELLY1947]

I have been waiting 20 years to buy a Tahoe or Yukon. I am finally to the point to treat myself after paying for 10 years of college.

I want a 2025 with the newer diesel in it (so I have plenty of time to decide).

My question is, besides styling/personal preference, is their any benefit of a Tahoe over a Yukon or Yukon over Tahoe?

Examples would be material quality, build quality, reliability, long term maintenance costs, etc.

I'm assuming that in general, both of them would be basically the same but I wanted to ask.

I'm also assuming that their are going to be lemons on both sides.

We keep our vehicles until the doors fall off so long term maintenance costs are important to us. We have been very lucky with the vehicles we have owned in the past.

My son is getting my current vehicle when we purchase and we can retire our 2007 Toyota Camry with almost 200K miles on it.

My wife and I are going to be using it as a mostly a highway cruiser. I'm retired now and we are going to be doing a lot of road trips in it, so I want the magnetic ride control and the air ride.

The center dash seems to be where the interior styling differs the most. Every month I go back and forth on which one I prefer.

Now this is only my opinion . Years ago a GM and a Chev were 2 different classes. And I find in some cases still stands with the options and trimmings. Also if you have the space get an XL. The hiway ride is 10 times smoother. Also make the dealer swap out the tires for Michelin Defender 2 and make sure there is a charge for them that way you paid for them and get the Michelin warr. And don't forget Road Force Balancing.
Good Luck

 

[DaveL]

Now this is only my opinion . Years ago a GM and a Chev were 2 different classes. And I find in some cases still stands with the options and trimmings. Also if you have the space get an XL. The hiway ride is 10 times smoother. Also make the dealer swap out the tires for Michelin Defender 2 and make sure there is a charge for them that way you paid for them and get the Michelin warr. And don't forget Road Force Balancing.
Good Luck

What is road force balancing?

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

What is road force balancing?

Method for balancing tires, there are two ways.
one is the classic spin balance method (tire/wheel on a banancer, spin it, apply weights as directed by machine)
One takes this a step further and puts a load on the tire to simulate it as it is in use, then add weights to balance it out. Usually results in a smoother ride than just a spin balance.