What's the best year 2015-2020

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.

Bigkevschopshop

Full Access Member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Posts
812
Reaction score
2,038
Location
Northside H-Town
What about 2017 GMC Yukon Denali about 84,000 miles . ?
Check it out completely. I bought a 17 Esky, 8 speed and as long as the service records are good, check it and drive it, see how you like it, then drive a 18 to 20 with 10 speed. Personally if the 8 speed is good, the driving experience is better and it pulls harder and I believe is actually faster 0-60.
 
OP
OP
Woodblocker55

Woodblocker55

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2019
Posts
656
Reaction score
419
Check it out completely. I bought a 17 Esky, 8 speed and as long as the service records are good, check it and drive it, see how you like it, then drive a 18 to 20 with 10 speed. Personally if the 8 speed is good, the driving experience is better and it pulls harder and I believe is actually faster 0-60.
Would you buy one with over 100,000 miles ? 2017 6.2L Yukon ?
 
OP
OP
Woodblocker55

Woodblocker55

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2019
Posts
656
Reaction score
419
What motor and transmission is be the most reliable. A 2017 5.3 L 6 speed or a 2019 6.2L 10 speed. Both looking at around are at 100,000 miles . And would like to put another 150,000 miles on it. Please advise . Shopping.
 

Bigkevschopshop

Full Access Member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Posts
812
Reaction score
2,038
Location
Northside H-Town
What motor and transmission is be the most reliable. A 2017 5.3 L 6 speed or a 2019 6.2L 10 speed. Both looking at around are at 100,000 miles . And would like to put another 150,000 miles on it. Please advise . Shopping.
Both the 6.2 and 5.3 are pretty equal in reliability, its the gadgets and gizmos that are a bit different on higher trim vehicles.

I lean to the 5.3 and 6 speeds myself as they are cheaper to rebuild in case of failure.

Bulletproofing 101 here..... a 100k mile 5.3 with 6 speed, I would do a cam lifter swap to get rid of DOD and do a torque converter swap to save the trans from the dreaded converter failure.

End of the day there are folks here with 200k plus on both power plants and the 10 speeds are starting to get up there also, but tons more 6 speeds at over 200k mark for sure partially due to production numbers and years produced. Service records are key, look for transmission service, and regular oil changes. Honestly you can get by with turning off the DOD with a tuner or Range device and prolong the motor failure and help the Torque converter also.

All GM transmissions, FLUID SERVICES are crucial in longevity. Plus cooler bypass modification also. The trans temps need to stay as low as you can get em...
 

B-train

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2022
Posts
2,151
Reaction score
3,681
I have a 2017 Denali with the 6.2 and 8 speed. I bought it used at 41k, now has almost 160k on it. I have AFM tuned off, I've only used 5w-30 full synthetic since my ownership every 5k, and I really don't mind the 8 speed trans. I did the dipstick retrofit and it was super easy and worth the $$.

I would agree with a lot of the above statements about gadgets and gizmos that can fail. Road manners are great, just avoid the 22 inch wheels - look nice but I hate them for the ride on bad roads.

I'm not a fan of electric steering and a vacuum brake assist pump (this can be deleted BTW). But, both systems work well. The DIY is limited to basic maintenance and repairs, not much you can do computer wise without a subscription.

I have a 2008 6.2 Denali as well and would buy that again no sweat. Your 2006 is the last run of a good generation, so that is something to consider if it's rust free. But, I totally understand the wanting something newer/change it up routine.

I won't buy anything 2021 and newer. I will probably look for a 2017-20 unit in a couple years to update the wife's ride and I'll take the high mileage 2017 and run it some more.

Maintenance on these is key, more so than older generations. But, fluids and filters are cheap in the long run. The 2017 with 84k has a lot of life left in it.......I'd buy that one. It'd be like trading in an old lady for one half her age :mwah1:
 

Joseph Garcia

Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
7,082
Reaction score
9,459
Would you buy one with over 100,000 miles ? 2017 6.2L Yukon ?
I purchased my 2007 Yukon XL Denali with 125,000 miles on it. I'm at 165,000 miles now, and the only significant item that I've replaced due to failure is the front differential. I replaced it with a front differential from a junkyard with 90,000 miles on it.
 

B-train

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2022
Posts
2,151
Reaction score
3,681
I would buy a 2017 over 100k as long as I had verified maintenance records, or a really **** guy like myself that did his stuff on time and not half-assed
 
OP
OP
Woodblocker55

Woodblocker55

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2019
Posts
656
Reaction score
419
Found really nice looking 2017 Tahoe premiere. 5.3 with 6 speed . Only thing confusing is . What's the Z82 trailering package I don't see a tranny cooler unless I'm looking at the wrong spot. and what's with the Z95 shocks rear shocks only have an airline going to them. Front ones have a wire going to them.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
131,225
Posts
1,847,174
Members
95,232
Latest member
Beniskickbutt

Latest posts

Top