2016 or 2018 Yukon Denali - Which Is Better?

If you were purchasing a Yukon Denali, do you recommend choosing the 2016 or the 2018? If there a substantial difference other than the new grill? My lease runs out soon. The purchase price on my 2016 is a good deal so I am leaning towards purchasing.

2018 has the 10 speed trans and the matte wood inserts inside which are pluses IMO.

For me the downside would be the cheese grater grill but you could probably swap a 16 grill in if you want for short $$$.


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In my option they are not different enough to warrant you paying an extra $30k in lease (car) payments to get the 2018. Also, I feel like because of the common issues with these trucks, if you've already found a good one and are happy with it, you should just keep that one.

However, if you did not already own a 2016 that you are happy with, I'd say definitely get a 2018.

Depends on purchase price. If you get a killer deal on a new one, you also get a warranty with that, and can get exactly what you want.

If you buy used, you have to settle for what’s available in your price range. Plus used car financing is usually at a higher rate. But you can save probably 15k from buying new.

The pre 17’s are more prone to having the vibration issues and have less sensors. 17+ has the rear view cam, and 18’s have a 10 speed to replace the troubled 8 sp

noob said:

Depends on purchase price. If you get a killer deal on a new one, you also get a warranty with that, and can get exactly what you want.

If you buy used, you have to settle for what’s available in your price range. Plus used car financing is usually at a higher rate. But you can save probably 15k from buying new.

The pre 17’s are more prone to having the vibration issues and have less sensors. 17+ has the rear view cam, and 18’s have a 10 speed to replace the troubled 8 sp

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16’s have backup cams.

What sensors does the 17 have that the 16 doesn’t?

When I went to buy my escalade, the rear view mirror wasn’t a screen on the 16 like it is on the 17. We have two rear cams, one for backing up, and a wide angle for looking rearward.

Also if you look at the 16 vs 17 rear bumper. The 16 doesn’t have sensors directly to the sides of the front and rear bumpers, the 17 does


Look in this pic, look in front of the rear tire, but before the bumper lights. There is a sensor, the 16 I looked at didn’t have it.



Mind you my experience is limited to the escalade version of the new body style. But figured they make changes across the board, considering they do with all the other features like the 10 speed and rear view mirror camera, and kick feature and remote function to roll down windows.

Not on a Chevy Tahoe Premier or GMC Yukon Denali.

noob said:

When I went to buy my escalade, the rear view mirror wasn’t a screen on the 16 like it is on the 17. We have two rear cams, one for backing up, and a wide angle for looking rearward.

Also if you look at the 16 vs 17 rear bumper. The 16 doesn’t have sensors directly to the sides of the front and rear bumpers, the 17 does


Look in this pic, look in front of the rear tire, but before the bumper lights. There is a sensor, the 16 I looked at didn’t have it.



Mind you my experience is limited to the escalade version of the new body style. But figured they make changes across the board, considering they do with all the other features like the 10 speed and rear view mirror camera, and kick feature and remote function to roll down windows.

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That’s a nice looking Esky. Which trim level is it?

One problem that GM has is that because they don’t differentiate enough between the Esky and the Denali, and subsequently the Suburban, I feel like they purposely hold back features and tech to the higher level trims. For example, the rear vision rear view mirror in the Esky is a common feature in other lesser cars, but they still won’t allow the Yukon Denali to have it. Same with the 360 degree surround vision camera. Esky gets it, and get this the GMC ACADIA gets it too, but not the Yukon Denali. It’s kid of crazy.

Ford/Lincoln have made this issue work for their 2018’s. The Expy is a great truck and has almost every single feature that the Navi does. However, the Navi is totally different on the inside. Everything is different, and much much nicer, to the point that Expy is not threatened by the Navi. It’s very clear which one is top luxury and which one is just super nice utility. Maybe in the next iteration GM will do the same and take the Esky to a much higher level so poor Yukon Denali can get all the normal teach features that other cars half its price get already


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2018 also has real stainless trim inside, different finish on the seats to make them more durable, and it’s been reported that the 2018 rides better and could potentially be more quiet. Go check one out and then maybe it’ll help you decide what you want to do.

noob said:

When I went to buy my escalade, the rear view mirror wasn’t a screen on the 16 like it is on the 17. We have two rear cams, one for backing up, and a wide angle for looking rearward.

Also if you look at the 16 vs 17 rear bumper. The 16 doesn’t have sensors directly to the sides of the front and rear bumpers, the 17 does


Look in this pic, look in front of the rear tire, but before the bumper lights. There is a sensor, the 16 I looked at didn’t have it.



Mind you my experience is limited to the escalade version of the new body style. But figured they make changes across the board, considering they do with all the other features like the 10 speed and rear view mirror camera, and kick feature and remote function to roll down windows.

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Ah the Escalade ok.

16 yukon has all windows down via the remote. 15 does too I believe.