Looking to upgrade to a 2017 Denali from a 2012 Eski

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.

FatDog

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Posts
183
Reaction score
112
Well, as it states I'm looking to upgrade our 2012 Eski Premium to a 2017 Denali.

We have loved our Eski and honestly part of me says just keep it but.....I think its just time to upgrade again as I just love the new body style. So we'll be going from an Eski Premium Package that has about 65K on the clock and is seriously like new to possibly a 2017 Denali with the ....Ultimate package, I believe??? At any rate its a loaded out Denali.

I've read through several threads and watched some some videos on a few things to look for. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has anything else to add? Thoughts, experiences, advice, I'm truly open to it all !!

I may also post up our current Escalade for sale on her as well, so if anyone is interested hit me up and I can send more info on that.

So "thanks" in advance guys!!
 

pwtr02ss

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Posts
10,212
Reaction score
20,522
Location
Tennessee
Well, as it states I'm looking to upgrade our 2012 Eski Premium to a 2017 Denali.

We have loved our Eski and honestly part of me says just keep it but.....I think its just time to upgrade again as I just love the new body style. So we'll be going from an Eski Premium Package that has about 65K on the clock and is seriously like new to possibly a 2017 Denali with the ....Ultimate package, I believe??? At any rate its a loaded out Denali.

I've read through several threads and watched some some videos on a few things to look for. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has anything else to add? Thoughts, experiences, advice, I'm truly open to it all !!

I may also post up our current Escalade for sale on her as well, so if anyone is interested hit me up and I can send more info on that.

So "thanks" in advance guys!!

I would opt for 2018 up, simply for the 10 speed transmission. I waited until 2019 to buy, because I heard so much bad about the 8 speed, and wanted to wait until the 10 speed had been out long enough to judge. As far as I can tell, the 10 speed is a solid transmission.

If I were choosing denali or escalade, I would choose escalade. I was buying new and couldn't justify the "excessive" premium for the escalade over the denali, but in the used market, they are priced similarly
 

Boatguy272

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
135
Reaction score
105
I went from an Escalade to a RST Tahoe also. We looked at a new Esky first but got screwed over by Naperville Cadillac and went and checked out the Tahoe Premier RST. It was still 80K. These things are out of control in pricing but we are very happy with it.
 

07 Denali

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Posts
105
Reaction score
45
I agree with @pwtr02ss , opt for the 2018 because of the 10-speed. Your '12 Esky is about as bullet proof of a vehicle that GM has ever made! With only 65k miles on the clock, that thing is just getting broken-in! Having had many 5.3s and 6.2s mated to the 6-speeds and now the 10-speed, go '18+ or keep the Esky!
 

sealandsky

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Posts
510
Reaction score
251
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Well, as it states I'm looking to upgrade our 2012 Eski Premium to a 2017 Denali.

We have loved our Eski and honestly part of me says just keep it but.....I think its just time to upgrade again as I just love the new body style. So we'll be going from an Eski Premium Package that has about 65K on the clock and is seriously like new to possibly a 2017 Denali with the ....Ultimate package, I believe??? At any rate its a loaded out Denali.

I've read through several threads and watched some some videos on a few things to look for. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has anything else to add? Thoughts, experiences, advice, I'm truly open to it all !!

I may also post up our current Escalade for sale on her as well, so if anyone is interested hit me up and I can send more info on that.

So "thanks" in advance guys!!
Another vote for finding a 2018 model for the transmission improvement. It's a BIG improvement!
 

yates ™

Resident Apple hater
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Posts
24,408
Reaction score
6,416
Location
Iowa
I may be in the minority but I also noticed the Escalade and Denali were similarly priced so made it a point to test drive them and was disappointed in them. Maybe it was just the ones I drove but was a lot happier with the Denali.
 

G00se

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Posts
104
Reaction score
54
Location
Newport Beach
Things I'd consider:
  • See if there is a pricing impact on previous generations once newest generation (2021) is fully released.
  • 10 speed > 8 speed. But a transmission tune is easy to do (Blackbear) and it made a huge improvement on my truck. I've put 200-300 miles on a 2020 Escalade and there wasn't a noticeable difference compared to my truck.
  • Used Denali vs Used Escalade - nearly identical mechanically, personal preference on aesthetics.
 
OP
OP
F

FatDog

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Posts
183
Reaction score
112
Thanks again guys for all the feedback!! Decided to pull the trigger on it, I just couldn't pass up the price and everything seemed to fall together.
 
OP
OP
F

FatDog

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Posts
183
Reaction score
112
Things I'd consider:
  • See if there is a pricing impact on previous generations once newest generation (2021) is fully released.
  • 10 speed > 8 speed. But a transmission tune is easy to do (Blackbear) and it made a huge improvement on my truck. I've put 200-300 miles on a 2020 Escalade and there wasn't a noticeable difference compared to my truck.
  • Used Denali vs Used Escalade - nearly identical mechanically, personal preference on aesthetics.

I'll definitely have to check into the transmission tune. I know the 18 with the 10 speed may be better but after talking to a GM service manager friend of mine, I think it will be fine. I looked at the Eski's and the Denali's and there both great but came down to the right price this time.

We went from an 08 Denali to a 12 Eski and now a 17 Denali........
 
Top