To 2018 Yukon owners, especially Denali

[swathdiver]

I don’t have a bad back at all but an hour in my yukon and I’m uncomfortable/in pain.

Keep adjusting them until the pain goes away. Had to do this to mine, took a while (days) to find the sweet spot and save it to memory! I miss the pillow top seats in my Olds Cutlass!

As for power, come on now, those Gen V 5.3s make over 350 horses and complaints are few with the older motors with even less horsepower.

 

[sickk23]

Seat comfort is subjective, that’s pretty obvious. But these seats are pretty straight forward with a simple shape and good amount of padding now. No doubt that the 2015 my buddy has, has less padding. The mulitcontours in my bimmer were the worst. Brick hard and shaped weird. Felt like I was sitting in a curvy lumpy hard mess.

 

[cardude2000]

Keep adjusting them until the pain goes away. Had to do this to mine, took a while (days) to find the sweet spot and save it to memory! I miss the pillow top seats in my Olds Cutlass!

As for power, come on now, those Gen V 5.3s make over 350 horses and complaints are few with the older motors with even less horsepower.

I’ve adjusted it for 2+ years. They simply aren’t comfortable. I don’t need cushy. Wifes merc has very firm but endlessly comfortable seats. I wouldn’t trade those for my pillow-top 88 royale brougham seats. Though I’ll admit those were pretty comfy...!

As for the engine, I’m not saying they don’t have ‘enough’ power, I was just confirming what he asked...That most of the automotive press agrees the 5.3 isn’t a particularly strong engine in this 5,000Lb+ vehicle...After test driving multiple 5.3’s I agree. It’s acceptable but not compelling. Times change and at one time 350hp in these was more than sufficient. Now it’s simply ‘acceptable’.

 

[Tahoe14]

Come ride with me and then decide if the 5.3 is down on power. LOL

 

[cardude2000]

Come ride with me and then decide if the 5.3 is down on power. LOL

Can I pull up next to you in my 6.2 and then decide 5.4 seconds later?

 

[adventurenali92]

To the OP, I own a 2006 Denali and I absolutely love my seats! They are so comfortable compared to the numerous vehicles I’ve been on roads trips in, in the last 6 months. My moms 11 grand Cherokee limited seats are terrible... lol. The worst I think though was the 17 Subaru Legacy limited that we rode in to mammoth a couple weeks ago. I was dying to get back in my truck after 6 hours back from mammoth ski area to where I live in SoCal. Anyways, my best friends parents had a 2011 Escalade esv and those seats were pretty damn comfortable. I never hesitated to saying to yes to rides in that caddy. Lol. Their 2015 that they upgraded to from that one is still pretty comfortable. I don’t think the seats are as plush as they used to be but still far better than the alternatives. I’ve only ridden a couple 15+ burbs and Yukon’s but the seats were fine. As for the 6.2L V8, it’s an absolute beast. I love it! Driven the 15 esv a few times over the last few months and its awesome. There’s no lack of power by any means. It goes when you want it to!

 

[cardude2000]

I don’t think the seats are as plush as they used to be but still far better than the alternatives.

Which mid/full size luxury SUV alternatives, specifically, are you talking about?

I’ve found the x5, a5, JGC, Q, Sequoia Rover and Durango to have pretty comfortable seats.

 

[muncie21]

I have had both the 5.3 and the 6.2. The 5.3 is sufficient unless it is fully loaded with people and bags or if you're pulling a modestly heavy trailer. I was pulling an open car trailer with a 99 Grand Prix strapped to it. On flat roads the 5.3 did well, however it struggled going up hills. The 6.2 is much better in this situation

 

[gonatee]

Had 2017 denali xl with 2nd row bench.
The back seats are pretty simple and flat.
The second row bench does recline a bit which is nice but still sits a little high. The leg room is nothing to write home about but the firmness isn't too hard IMO although I never had anyone spend a bunch of time in them.

The third row seats are very basic, not much cushioning and and not meant for an adult. You're knees will be in you're chest.

I would say the front seat was decent as far as comfort. I'd last about 5 hrs before getting a little restless. The most uncomfortable thing was the seat belt. The lap belt portion is constantly tightening and the way it's designed you have to pull slack on the shoulder strap before you dig the lap belt off you're waist. It's super annoying and on road trips very uncomfortable.

As far as ponys im sure it depends on the person. The 6.2 works pretty well for size of the truck, I wouldn't say it's slow but it ain't a rocket ship either.

The 8 speed tranny is horrible when it comes to non hwy driving. It's always bogging the motor down cause it's in too high of gear and you basically have to use the manual shifter if you don't wanna wear ur tranny out. It wants to be in 5th n 6th gear at 40 mph I'm pretty sure it's just gm trying to get better mpg specs even tho its bad on the motor and tranny.
Hopefully they fixed that with the 10 speed but honestly feel the 8 would be fine if the truck was just tuned right.

Here's the most important thing I never really thought about until being involved a major head on collision.
I can honestly say it saved my life. This vehicle can take a hit and it will protect you! No other complaints about the vehicle matter when it comes to a major accident.
Safety will be my number one factor when purchasing my next vehicle an rt now the denali is on the top of the list.

Good luck w you're purchase and God Bless

 

[Doubeleive]

I went from a cloth seat 2000 5.3 that I drove for 12 years, to a 6.2l 2012 leather seat, I kicked myself in the butt for not originally getting a 6.0 at the time, the difference in engines is significant the 6.2 is stronger/faster, (transmissions have been improved as well) the cloth seat was perhaps slightly more comfy than the leather seat but by no means is the leather seat uncomfortable I can sit in it for very long drives just fine, if you test drive or get the awd model it's awesome as well. handling is very comparable with the awd having better capability because the front wheels have power and will show it in certain situations. the only caveat I can truly express going from a 00 to 12 is the interior space is slightly smaller, there is more interior plastic around the rear windows and pillars which reduces the view a little which is one thing you may notice right away, but it's not a deal breaker. have fun shopping!