Do You Regret: Short-Body vs Long-Body

[AZCreeker]

We got a 15 Suburban 4 months ago, here is some of the reasons:

-we have 3 young children and probably one more on the way soon, along with the neverending baby seats and gear, sports gear also demanding space wise.

-Our Garage can fit the suburban with room to walk in front and rear, even with garage door closed.

-Rear doors are bigger and make ingress easier.

-3rd row room is better in Suburban allowing for more people space, we Always have at least 2 in the third row and really often another of their friend and even adults

-Look Wise I do like the long block shape of the suburban espacially on our white color

-a bit easier to resale, as my experience here in AZ, there are less of them compared to tahoe, I think for every 1 long wheel base they sell 3 to 4 short wheel base truck.

here is a pic:

 

[TxChevyz71]

I have a Yukon Denali XL. I have 3 kids under 5yrs of age. With small kids, the Tahoe and Yukon were out because with the 3rd row in use, I could not fit the a double stroller (inline or tandem) in the cargo area of the Shorty. Muchless I could not fit a cooler back there either. I'm talking a cooler like the size of Yeti 65 or 75 in the back.

Also when I look at the amount of space between the 3rd row and the lift gate on a shorty I always thought that if something hits it (car accident) the people in the 3rd row are goners.... just not much room back there. I'm sure it's just me but....

Just my opinion

 

[AZCreeker]

I have a Yukon Denali XL. I have 3 kids under 5yrs of age. With small kids, the Tahoe and Yukon were out because with the 3rd row in use, I could not fit the a double stroller (inline or tandem) in the cargo area of the Shorty. Muchless I could not fit a cooler back there either. I'm talking a cooler like the size of Yeti 65 or 75 in the back.

Also when I look at the amount of space between the 3rd row and the lift gate on a shorty I always thought that if something hits it (car accident) the people in the 3rd row are goners.... just not much room back there. I'm sure it's just me but....

Just my opinion

this is basically my routine too, and we have the gm accessory rear cargo black rubber liner, its amazing at keeping still some low items that would otherwise shift.

 

[Miami-Dade]

. I do feel the LWB looks a little odd with the 18" base wheels but the 20's and 22's look awesome.

I agree..I think both the LWB and the SWB just look better with the 20's and 22's..Mine had the 20's on it when I bought it.

 

[Rdr854]

While I have driven a Tahoe at work, I found that it was too small to carry cargo/luggage if three rows of seating were required. Now that the kids are young adults and going off to college, I find that the Suburban is the right sized vehicle to pack a dorm room into without having to use a roof carrier or tow a trailer. For the extra $1,500 or so out the door, it is well worth it. As far as looks go, both vehicles look just fine. The ultimate question is . . . What best fulfills your needs, wants and desires.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

I am in a similar situation. I am torn between the 2 as well. I have experience with both an currently own one of each. The lwb lease is up soon. I ordered one of each with the features and color I want. I am leaning towards the swb tahoe. I don't need the extra room too often and can't reach all the way in anyway. I can tell you that you will appreciate the extra room when you move your 15 yo to college.
The Tahoe is easier to drive and park. I've had 4 suburbans and feel this will be the last. The ride is better in the burb but is slightly under powered compared to the Tahoe.

 

[Fifty]

My take is the swb is not a small vehicle. So you are not getting a more maneuverable or easier to park vehicle.

With the lwb, you get full sized rear doors AND a bigger "trunk". Both are pluses for adult entry and exit, and for me personally, it's easier for me to get the kid into and out of the baby seat.

The larger trunk allowed us to fit 5 adults and a baby in a baby seat PLUS luggage and drive to the airport. If we had the swb, Everyone would have a seat but there would be not nearly enough space for luggage.


Also, I tow a race car (or more recently a problem 4600 lb sedan back and forth to the dealer) etc on a 20ft aluminum trailer. The longer wheel base makes the tow that much more stable.

The only way I'd get a swb, is if gmc came out with a 2 door yukon. I'd get that in a heartbeat! Bring back the blazer!

 

[nj16yukon]

I have 3 kids under 5yrs of age. With small kids, the Tahoe and Yukon were out because with the 3rd row in use, I could not fit the a double stroller (inline or tandem) in the cargo area of the Shorty.

This. If 3rd row carseats are a part of your reality, the LWB makes much more sense.

That said, as an XL owner, I think the SWB looks a tad better. Just seems like a more proportioned SUV when I see them on the road.

 

[hosseface]

My first one was a shorty Yukon - 2 kids. Its great for around town but any traveling = zero room. It gets worse, take in-laws or 2 extra people and need the 3rd row seating - you have absolutely zero storage. I carried one of those hitch extenders with a weatherproof luggage bag on a trip and it was a nightmare.

I traded that thing in for a Yukon XL last year and LOVE the extra room. HIGHLY RECOMMEND an XL or Suburban for anyone with kids.

If its just you and the wife, a shorty will do.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I have one daughter and a second row bench in my Tahoe. I can put 2/3 of the bench down for plenty of extra cargo space, and she is still very comfy in the passenger side rear seat. Love the shorty for parking lots and garages. Never needed any extra cargo carriers even for 2 week trips.