Anybody else less than enthusiastic about the direction Chevy is taking with the Tahoes and suburbans?

[tooleyondeck]

In regards to OP, Have you seen a pickup truck lately? They’re station wagons with a bed. Everyone round my way has a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Every truck is optioned out to max, these trucks never go off the pavement and nobody tows squat.

Ouch lol, that's me. I went with a new HD because I need 6 seats and they're the only GM V8 offering without DFM and AS/S. I will likely never tow anything other than a car trailer maybe once a year. So far I am very happy with my L8T, and now that these swaps are gaining some popularity I may consider that when I'm ready to get a newer SUV again. My 03 isn't going anywhere anytime soon though.

 

[GMCChevy]

I need to measure my cargo space because I feel my 99 has offered the most since 06. Maybe I’m just not ready to start shoving stuff into the back of my 15 until the trim starts coming off. They ail be able to remove the U in SUV soon, or at least lower case it. SuV for less utility.
My understanding is that CAFE still exists but the fines have been reduced to zero.

You are right. Upto 07 you only had the seat bottom reducing length. Then they started flipping the whole seat. And 2015 added that storage box thing in the back making the floor higher.

 

[PPV_2018]

If you haven't noticed, MOPAR is all in on taking advantage of this new found freedom and will be stuffing 426 Hemis under everything with a hood soon.

In all of what, the 2 models they’ve got left with ICE? Now if they brought back ICE powered Charger & Challenger, I’m game

If it can change so quickly once it can happen again.

exactly.

I think that, among other reasons, guys like big trucks and SUVs because they're the last vehicles that haven't been force-shrunk around us.

joe

Interesting perspective. So run and buy 100,000$ work truck, 4x4, with capabilities you’ll never need and a pain in the butt to drive and park in the city? These guys are the new soccer mom minivan drivers.

for clarity i’m talking about high trim level 3/4 ton and up pickup trucks that are mall crawlers, not actual work trucks or large SUV’s.

Ouch lol, that's me. I went with a new HD because I need 6 seats and they're the only GM V8 offering without DFM and AS/S. I will likely never tow anything other than a car trailer maybe once a year. So far I am very happy with my L8T, and now that these swaps are gaining some popularity I may consider that when I'm ready to get a newer SUV again. My 03 isn't going anywhere anytime soon though.

It’s not personal. People can buy and drive what they choose, I support that 100%. But when you’ve got a city full of 2500 and 3500 trucks and guys have a fit over a scratch in the paint I just laugh. It’s a work truck, not a Porsche, even if they had the same price tag,

It’s cool not wanting DFM and As/s.. understandable, but I’d rather buy defeat devices than get beat to death with the rough ride of a 3/4 ton for making groceries.

 

[tooleyondeck]

But when you’ve got a city full of 2500 and 3500 trucks and guys have a fit over a scratch in the paint I just laugh. It’s a work truck, not a Porsche, even if they had the same price tag,

Pretty much every day I see lifted HDs (mostly Denalis and HCs) with 24"+ negative offset wheels and those God awful wheel lights, so i get it.

 

[Sparksalot]

Pretty much every day I see lifted HDs (mostly Denalis and HCs) with 24"+ negative offset wheels and those God awful wheel lights, so i get it.

Good luck keeping your teeth off-road with those rubber bands.

 

[vcode]

The fact that you have to get a sunroof to get the tow package is absurd......

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Is anybody less than thrilled with the direction Chevy is taking with the Tahoes and suburbans.?
I mean the designs are looking less truck like. If I wanted my truck to look like a traverse or equinox, I’d get one. The technology is nice but with the new tech, they’ve taken away the things I bought the trucks for. The locking diff is no where near what it used to be. The internal tech is not always reliable. The engine and lifter issues are a disaster. The navigation system was better with the SIM card. Ground clearance, haha. The gas tank has the capacity of a large sedan. They are imho becoming more like station wagons. No tow hooks or a means to put them on? Except for z71, ridiculous. Mandatory sunroofs with towing packages!
Maybe I’m wrong.

As @swathdiver stated above, these changes are driven by what GM perceives that its customers want.

For those of you who are over 45, think for a few moments what the typical full size truck (Tahoe, Yukon, etc.), now called 'large SUVs', driver looked like 25 years ago, and what the driver looks like today. For me, being 72, this is what I saw then and what I see now:

25 Years Ago:
Almost always male
Usually dressed in work gear with a baseball hat
Usually had the windows open, unless it was winter or unbearably hot outside
Design emphasis on payload carrying capacity, suspension compatible with construction site travel, and capable off-roading
Little emphasis on driver creature comforts, except for perhaps a cup holder

Today:
~70% male, ~30% female
~50% dressed in work gear with a baseball hat, ~50% either a male in a dress shirt and tie, or a woman in daily clothes
Windows mostly closed, regardless of conditions outside
Design emphasis on quiet interior, smooth ride, additional comfortable seating, fancy trim, and lots of tech
Prioritized emphasis on driver creature comforts, up to and including massaging seats

I'm not saying right or wrong between now and then, I'm just saying very significantly different. As such, it is logical to expect that the truck would evolve over time, as the customer/driver base evolved.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

The fact that you have to get a sunroof to get the tow package is absurd......

I could have liked this a hundred times over

 

[Blueinterceptor]

As @swathdiver stated above, these changes are driven by what GM perceives that its customers want.

For those of you who are over 45, think for a few moments what the typical full size truck (Tahoe, Yukon, etc.), now called 'large SUVs', driver looked like 25 years ago, and what the driver looks like today. For me, being 72, this is what I saw then and what I see now:

25 Years Ago:
Almost always male
Usually dressed in work gear with a baseball hat
Usually had the windows open, unless it was winter or unbearably hot outside
Design emphasis on payload carrying capacity, suspension compatible with construction site travel, and capable off-roading
Little emphasis on driver creature comforts, except for perhaps a cup holder

Today:
~70% male, ~30% female
~50% dressed in work gear with a baseball hat, ~50% either a male in a dress shirt and tie, or a woman in daily clothes
Windows mostly closed, regardless of conditions outside
Design emphasis on quiet interior, smooth ride, additional comfortable seating, fancy trim, and lots of tech
Prioritized emphasis on driver creature comforts, up to and including massaging seats

I'm not saying right or wrong between now and then, I'm just saying very significantly different. As such, it is logical to expect that the truck would evolve over time, as the customer/driver base evolved.

Evolve yes Degrade no.

 

[swathdiver]

In all of what, the 2 models they’ve got left with ICE? Now if they brought back ICE powered Charger & Challenger, I’m game

They're coming.

 

[PPV_2018]

They're coming.

Well, if that is the case I’m all for it. Especially since I’m a huge fan of how the new gen Charger looks. I mean I think it looks sweet. But I hate EV. If it was ICE I probably would already have one.

 

[vcode]

Well, if that is the case I’m all for it. Especially since I’m a huge fan of how the new gen Charger looks. I mean I think it looks sweet. But I hate EV. If it was ICE I probably would already have one.

Well they brought back the Hemi......

 

[PPV_2018]

Well they brought back the Hemi......

Not exactly, but just looking it up it looks like the 2026 models will have a 3.0 inline six, which is good enough for me to consider looking at one ..

So then I stand corrected. Though one has to wonder, is that because of loosened regulation … or a total deadweight fall in sales because nobody wants the EV. Maybe a little of both.

 

[vcode]

Not exactly, but just looking it up it looks like the 2026 models will have a 3.0 inline six, which is good enough for me to consider looking at one ..

So then I stand corrected. Though one has to wonder, is that because of loosened regulation … or a total deadweight fall in sales because nobody wants the EV. Maybe a little of both.

Actually, it was due to customer demand. Ram admitted they didn't realize how loyal customers were to the Hemi.

 

[GMCChevy]

Actually, it was due to customer demand. Ram admitted they didn't realize how loyal customers were to the Hemi.

Ignoring their customers.. forums and legitimate reviewers had been saying for several years they'd loose majority of their sales if they didn't at least have a V8 of some sort.

 

[Padraig]

I have had Suburbans and Yukon XL since rmthe early 90s. I was disappointed in my 2013 as the second and third row seats did not lay flat and you lost a couple of feet of space. This was important to me as I often travel to dog shows with three Irish Wolfhounds and luggage. I also often tow a boat. The 2023 Suburban that I now own has seats that lay flat and has a diesel engine that runs beautifully. Life is good and it is a beautiful vehicle.

Padraig

 

[headwest]

I could have liked this a hundred times over

Am switching over from a 1500 to a Yukon '26. Was looking at Denali trim but due to having to get pano roof and rear entertainment I'm now looking at the AT4 with air ride. Can get towing and most other options individually. My dealer thinks the ride and quietness will be quite similar after I switch out tires as I no longer do off-road other than gravel. Am waiting for the '26 build page to come out to see if packages have changed. According to the published vehicle order guide does not look like much effecting the AT4. Very disappointed that sunroof and rear entertainment cannot be deleted on the Denali. My dealer will recheck this on the '26 custom orders. I do like the looks of the AT4 a little better - still concerned if ride too harsh but many say they are very close. I do road trips in summer.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Evolve yes Degrade no.

Evolution is caused by outside factors. Degradation is caused by inside factors, and GM owns this.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Well they brought back the Hemi......

They did not bring back the Hemi due to any deregulation efforts. This was purely a financial decision, as Stellantis saw their sales crater deeply, as a result of their failed policy to shift away from muscle power and focus on other 'greener' and more fuel efficient areas.

 

[Protect1989]

Am switching over from a 1500 to a Yukon '26. Was looking at Denali trim but due to having to get pano roof and rear entertainment I'm now looking at the AT4 with air ride. Can get towing and most other options individually. My dealer thinks the ride and quietness will be quite similar after I switch out tires as I no longer do off-road other than gravel. Am waiting for the '26 build page to come out to see if packages have changed. According to the published vehicle order guide does not look like much effecting the AT4. Very disappointed that sunroof and rear entertainment cannot be deleted on the Denali. My dealer will recheck this on the '26 custom orders. I do like the looks of the AT4 a little better - still concerned if ride too harsh but many say they are very close. I do road trips in summer.

I am building out a very similar rig and have driven the refreshed AT4 with Air ride, its smooth and quiet. Could be argued that its even smoother than the denali given its 20" wheel compared to the 22"-24" that comes the Denalis.

Even if you did not change out the tires, I think you will get a very comfortable on-road cruiser. Every reviewer on youtube talks about how the AT4 w/air ride is the perfect combination of off-road looks with on-road composure.