Same question I ask to myself should I gotten Denali over a Tahoe

Larryjb · Feb 18, 2019

steve45 said:
...
When I was in engineering school, we learned about ergonomics. The goal was to design products that consumers liked. ....

Unfortunately, what consumers like is not always safe or best. I take it that consumers like push buttons instead of dials for climate control. My Tahoe has three dials for climate control, plus a button for recirc, and one to force the AC on or off. I don't need the buttons much, and the three dials are easy to find and adjust without taking my eyes or concentration off the road. That is very well designed. Unfortunately, because it looks dated, GM has moved to more push buttons.

We also have an explorer which has push button controls. For me to simply change the fan speed, I have to look at the controls to make sure I'm adjusting the right thing. If the windshield suddenly fogs up, I have to look at the controls to find the defog button. This, to me, is a very dangerous situation because if the windshield is fogging up, I need to keep my eyes on the road even more, but I have to take my eyes off the road to find the defog button. On my Tahoe, I reach over and zip the right hand side dial fully clockwise. It's easy to find, easy to adjust. But GM messed with that one.

And don't get me started on those big screens in the dash boards. :Rant:

cardude2000 · Feb 18, 2019

steve45 said:
Buy the Denali if you've got money to burn.

AND/OR if you like 420HP 6.2L V8’s, 10 speed transmissions and MRC.

cardude2000 · Feb 18, 2019

Larryjb said:
If the windshield suddenly fogs up, I have to look at the controls to find the defog button. This, to me, is a very dangerous situation because if the windshield is fogging up, I need to keep my eyes on the road even more, but I have to take my eyes off the road to find the defog button.

You HAVE to do this on Tahoe’s and Yukon’s too.

Larryjb · Feb 18, 2019

The new ones, yes. This is all part of manufactures making things look fresh and updated.

If I have one of these when I'm 80, I'll probably just learn to have the climate controls on defog all the time in the cooler weather.

steve45 · Feb 18, 2019

Larryjb said:
Unfortunately, what consumers like is not always safe or best. I take it that consumers like push buttons instead of dials for climate control. My Tahoe has three dials for climate control, plus a button for recirc, and one to force the AC on or off. I don't need the buttons much, and the three dials are easy to find and adjust without taking my eyes or concentration off the road. That is very well designed. Unfortunately, because it looks dated, GM has moved to more push buttons.

We also have an explorer which has push button controls. For me to simply change the fan speed, I have to look at the controls to make sure I'm adjusting the right thing. If the windshield suddenly fogs up, I have to look at the controls to find the defog button. This, to me, is a very dangerous situation because if the windshield is fogging up, I need to keep my eyes on the road even more, but I have to take my eyes off the road to find the defog button. On my Tahoe, I reach over and zip the right hand side dial fully clockwise. It's easy to find, easy to adjust. But GM messed with that one.

And don't get me started on those big screens in the dash boards.

EXACTLY! Pushbuttons are DANGEROUS, and I've never talked to anyone that prefers them to knobs. Buttons are CHEAPER, especially the touchscreen 'soft' buttons that can perform a bunch of different functions. Knobs work if you're wearing gloves. Knobs don't show fingerprints.

When I was teaching flying, I made my students sit in the airplane and learn where all the controls were. Before night flight, they had to be able to put their fingers on each control with their eyes closed. Distracted driving is killing a lot of people these days, and it's not just cell phones. Poorly designed instrument panels and lack of standardization contribute to the problem. I have an '93 Cutlass that has 41 discreet buttons! That is ridiculous!

WillCO · Feb 21, 2019

I don't find the controls in these to be inferior at all, the layout obviously shares parts with many other GM designs, but it seems to work well for me. The MMI screen functions well and the MyLink software is quite good, but the screen needs to be larger to be competitive.

I do agree that you can pay too much for one of these vehicles. A nicely optioned Tahoe LT can be had between $55K and $60K, which seems fine. If you're paying in the $70s for a Denali, or even more than that for an Escalade, you're in a different cross-shopping zone and I'm not sure the vehicles stand up as well in that zone.

I wonder why Toyota hasn't updated the Sequoia in ten years. Seems like if they wanted to, they could kill the category with a fresh design.

Miami-Dade · Feb 21, 2019

Larryjb said:
We also have an explorer which has push button controls. For me to simply change the fan speed, I have to look at the controls to make sure I'm adjusting the right thing. If the windshield suddenly fogs up, I have to look at the controls to find the defog button. This, to me, is a very dangerous situation because if the windshield is fogging up, I need to keep my eyes on the road even more, but I have to take my eyes off the road to find the defog button. On my Tahoe, I reach over and zip the right hand side dial fully clockwise. It's easy to find, easy to adjust. But GM messed with that one.

Since I bought my Tahoe in 2016 I never had the windshield fog up. Same for my other GM vehicles. In cooler weather [which is very rare here in Miami or when I am in the other areas of the country in spring or winter] I just leave the climate control setting in the bi-level position all time. Even the regular A/C setting [like right now here in Miami with jungle humidity even in February with the dew point in the 70's] it keeps the windshield clear. The thing is NOT to shut the a/c system off when you get to where you are going. Just leave the system on all the time. I just set it and forget it.

That is just me. To each their own.

Larryjb · Feb 21, 2019

My only point is that controls for systems that can affect driving must be easily accessible while driving.

For the radio, at least the on/off button should be easily accessible. Other buttons should be large, which for the most part, auto manufacturers do. Aftermarket radios are impossible to use when wearing gloves. Some HVAC systems require the use of a touch screen, which is even worse than the multiple push buttons. I absolutely hate what Ford has done on their climate controls. They used to be a leader in ergonomics.

In our part of the continent, weather conditions can change rapidly as you move around the region. This can require changing settings several times. I often like to use the recirculation because of a smelly vehicle in front of me, but then I have to switch to defog when the windshield fogs up.

I can see that, in Miami, you don't need to worry about your windshield fogging up much. I doubt GM is going to make trucks for different climates in the regular market.

Miami-Dade · Feb 21, 2019

Larryjb said:
I can see that, in Miami, you don't need to worry about your windshield fogging up much.

Actually they do fog up after the daily monsoon rain everyday [several times a day] from May-October. The dew point in the summer here is close 80.

Jorge1313 · Feb 22, 2019

I don’t know for most of you on your thought about buttons on the dash . But I will say I been in a lot of luxery vechiles. And for a truck like suv it very attractive dash board I’d say nicer than most boring Mercedes suv I been in .I’ll say my Tahoe looks better inside . Looks more presidential classy American black tie event deal. hard to explain the feeling.

Same question I ask to myself should I gotten Denali over a Tahoe

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