Seat comfort difference - Yukon Denali vs Escalade

[TrybalRage]

Hey everyone. I'm in the market for an occasional use tow rig/road trip type vehicle and have been taking a look at the 07-11 or so Yukon XL Denalis and Escalade ESVs. Why not tow in style, right?

Anyway this weekend we test drove an '08 Yukon, was a nice, comfortable, cushy ride. Unfortunately had a bit more rust than I wanted to deal with (I'm in PA, salt is a killer). We then drove straight to another dealer and drove an '08 Escalade "Luxury" with the retractable steps and whatnot. I was surprised to find that the Caddy seats felt very ******* the back and butt compared to the Yukon we had just driven.

The overall ride was also harder but I'm chalking that up to 20" vs 22" wheels, and the dealer had informed me before I even drove it that the Escalade had a bad front shock that they had ordered a replacement for and was coming this week.

So really I'm just confused about the seats. For anyone who has driven both, have you noticed a difference? They appear similar in construction so I would have assumed they'd feel the same, or that the Escalade should feel better. Or maybe the Yukon seats were just really broken in well from an overweight previous owner, lol?

 

[petethepug]

07-09 have the couch type seating. After 10 they have more lateral support and feel stiffer.

 

[TrybalRage]

Both were '08s, so they should have felt the same then. Weird. Also I notice that my original post was edited for some reason... I didn't swear?

Firm? Stiff? Hard? Can't recall what word I used exactly.

Anyway. Like I said I'm looking at both, and really despise hard seats. If I knew that all caddy seats were harder than the Yukons I'd probably drop them from my search.

 

[petethepug]

It also depends on the condition of the leather. If you're in a Tahoe or Yukon that's never had it's leather treated you're missing out. it gets baked like a long horn steer carcass left in the plains. The couchy'est ride will be the 07-09 Tehama leather that's splattered all over the door pillars, dash, binnacle, and f/r seats. The stuff is tough and it's the one thing that keeps the dash from cracking on any 08-14 Escalade Platinum.

We swapped out 08 YXL Denali for an 09 Esky Platinum ESV last year. That's what I'm using as a barometer. As far as the rim/tire size, the outside diameter is all the same up to 22". If you place the spare 17" next to a Plat or Sport Prem 22" rim they'll be the same height.

There's an entire spread sheet that Shaggy or whoever inherits the job, has to continually update. It's based upon some illuminati guidelines that constantly has to be updated. Sarcophagus (sar cough uh gus if it gets edited) is one we had to add to edits on another forum.

Nuance leather is Cadillac's name for Pigment Dyed Leather, which has a clear topcoat to mask imperfections, as well as provide more resistance to wear and discoloration. The color is applied to base crusts of differing color and the dye is not all the way through, therefore over time wear marks will result in the darker color showing through in the creases.

Tuscany Leather is Semi-Aniline, which is dyed for color with a smaller amount of topcoat applied, which allows the leather to feel softer and show more natural grain, while still providing color uniformity and some protection against wear.

Tehama Leather is Pure Aniline, which is dyed with no pigment or topcoat. This will have belly wrinkles and scars, and will develop a "patina" over time, like a worn-in bomber jacket.

 

[Geotrash]

Hey everyone. I'm in the market for an occasional use tow rig/road trip type vehicle and have been taking a look at the 07-11 or so Yukon XL Denalis and Escalade ESVs. Why not tow in style, right?

Anyway this weekend we test drove an '08 Yukon, was a nice, comfortable, cushy ride. Unfortunately had a bit more rust than I wanted to deal with (I'm in PA, salt is a killer). We then drove straight to another dealer and drove an '08 Escalade "Luxury" with the retractable steps and whatnot. I was surprised to find that the Caddy seats felt very ******* the back and butt compared to the Yukon we had just driven.

The overall ride was also harder but I'm chalking that up to 20" vs 22" wheels, and the dealer had informed me before I even drove it that the Escalade had a bad front shock that they had ordered a replacement for and was coming this week.

So really I'm just confused about the seats. For anyone who has driven both, have you noticed a difference? They appear similar in construction so I would have assumed they'd feel the same, or that the Escalade should feel better. Or maybe the Yukon seats were just really broken in well from an overweight previous owner, lol?

I test drove an '07 Escalade ESV on the same day I test-drove the '07 XL Denali that I ended up buying. I was coming from an '02 Suburban where the seats were soft like a Lay-Z-Boy, and found both vehicles' seats to be much firmer than I was used to, with the Escalade's being even more so. I will say that I got used to the Denali's seats quickly and find both of ours to be the most comfortable long distance vehicles I've ever owned. This, after 3 Land Rovers and a BMW as well.

 

[swathdiver]

Hey everyone. I'm in the market for an occasional use tow rig/road trip type vehicle and have been taking a look at the 07-11 or so Yukon XL Denalis and Escalade ESVs. Why not tow in style, right?

In 2009, GM introduced the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller on the GMC and Chevrolet trucks. It was an option and not standard, even for those with the increased towing abilities. The Escalades did not get this.

In 2009, Bluetooth connectivity was added for your phone to connect to the truck so you can use the steering wheel controls to make calls. There are many, small, incremental features added to this generation over time that this short reply lacks the time for.

In 2012, GM introduced in all models, Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control and improved Powertrain Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking modes.

Inside the glove box is a sticker with the codes specifying how the vehicle came equipped. If there are lines going into the radiator on the driver's side, those are the engine oil cooler lines. Not all Denalis and Escalades have these features or the 700 watt cooling fans.

All Denalis and Escalades (exc Hybrids) have 3.42 gears (GU6). The RWD models have 9.5" 14-Bolt semi-floating rear axles (AXN).
Cylinder de-activation was introduced on the 6.2 engine in 2010 (L94) and is much more reliable from 2011 onwards.
The L92 in those 2008s is not a FlexFuel engine. The mighty L9H of 2009 only is a FlexFuel engine.

KC4 COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE OIL ENG OIL CLG(KC4)
KNP COOLING SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, HEAVY DUTY HVY DUTY TRANS CLG SYS(KNP)
K5L EQUIPMENT ENHANCED COOLING PACKAGE ENHANCED COOLING PKG(K5L)

All of these comments relate to just the GMC Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali and the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.

 

[91RS]

In this body style, the seats are exactly the same in a same year Denali compared to an Escalade. The part numbers are all the same on the cushions and covers (unless the Escalade is a Platinum and the covers are different but I believe the cushions are still the same but I have not verified). My guess is one was completely worn out and the other wasn't. This is why I replaced the seat bottom cushions in both of mine. The seats were changed slightly in 2010, I believe.

 

[Geotrash]

In this body style, the seats are exactly the same in a same year Denali compared to an Escalade. The part numbers are all the same on the cushions and covers (unless the Escalade is a Platinum and the covers are different but I believe the cushions are still the same but I have not verified). My guess is one was completely worn out and the other wasn't. This is why I replaced the seat bottom cushions in both of mine. The seats were changed slightly in 2010, I believe.

That makes sense. The Caddy I test drove had half the mileage of the Denali I bought.

 

[gooffeyguy]

It also depends on how large an ass the previous owner/s had

 

[petethepug]

This! Hahahah. My father in law was 6’4” and 3 large. The bench seat in his 90 DeVille was, well, uh, worn to put it lightly. The electronic level control for the rear did its job quite well with keeping the ballast regulated.