Test Drove a 26 HC

Saltydog · Mar 10, 2026

So been looking at replacing the Wagoneer and we almost came home in this 26 Chevy Tahoe HC, but price was not quite where I want to be and the wife said it will have to be a GMC....

I will say the ride quality has been improved over the 21 we had and I do like the updates they have made.

Bigburb3500 · Mar 10, 2026

What is making you decide to trade the Wagoneer? Do you have the I6 or V8? The Wagoneer was on our short list for a while before we found a used Suburban we couldn’t pass up.

Protect1989 · Mar 10, 2026

The GMC brand does carry a different status compared to Chevrolet. Not to mention your dealership experience may be completely different too.

I cross shopped the Z71 and the AT4, my preference was on the GMC but I ended up going with the Chevy and here are my personal reasons why:

- The interior of the GMC feels claustrophobic. Something about the raised dash and the vertical screen made the space feel tighter. The horizontal layout in the Chevy flowed better and provided a more open feel to it (extremely subjective opinion)

- The cost of the AT4 optioned out the same as the Z71 was 5k+ more expensive. Not to mention finding one was a nightmare.

- The AT4 came in one interior color and its green. In person its not bad, its more of a grey/green, but still was limiting and not my favorite choice.

Ultimately it was the displays that were the deciding factor for me. Sit in the GMC and look at the dash. It is extremely tall and makes the car feel so much bigger. The Tahoe's lower dash level gives me greater visibility and usability.

The choice is yours and everyone has their own opinions. Just options to consider as you shop around

tjs3922 · Mar 10, 2026

I have had 4 Yukons in the last 8 years. Currently a 26 Elevation with Super Cruise (not much else for options).

My favorite was a 2023 XL Denali with Denali Reserve Package. Hands down the best ride I ever owned. I traded it for a Traverse RS (hated it) and then got into my Elevation. Wish I never traded my 23. We were looking to economize a bit as we are getting near 60.

My point is, get a Denali. (Wife had a 22 Suburban HC and wasnt impressed)

Saltydog · Mar 10, 2026

Bigburb3500 said:
What is making you decide to trade the Wagoneer? Do you have the I6 or V8? The Wagoneer was on our short list for a while before we found a used Suburban we couldn’t pass up.

Well, the wife has not been happy with it and misses having the Yukon. Also our Wagoneer has been a bit problematic....we have the I6 and it sure has the power to move the beast very smoothly and quickly. In fact, the wife mentioned the Tahoe did not have the power that she has gotten used to

Saltydog · Mar 10, 2026

Protect1989 said:
The GMC brand does carry a different status compared to Chevrolet. Not to mention your dealership experience may be completely different too.

I cross shopped the Z71 and the AT4, my preference was on the GMC but I ended up going with the Chevy and here are my personal reasons why:

- The interior of the GMC feels claustrophobic. Something about the raised dash and the vertical screen made the space feel tighter. The horizontal layout in the Chevy flowed better and provided a more open feel to it (extremely subjective opinion)

- The cost of the AT4 optioned out the same as the Z71 was 5k+ more expensive. Not to mention finding one was a nightmare.

- The AT4 came in one interior color and its green. In person its not bad, its more of a grey/green, but still was limiting and not my favorite choice.

Ultimately it was the displays that were the deciding factor for me. Sit in the GMC and look at the dash. It is extremely tall and makes the car feel so much bigger. The Tahoe's lower dash level gives me greater visibility and usability.

The choice is yours and everyone has their own opinions. Just options to consider as you shop around

I have to agree with you on the dash layout, I do prefer the Tahoe over the Yukon.

I think if the Tahoe had been pearl white, I could have talked her into it.

Bigburb3500 · Mar 10, 2026

That was our big concern: reliability… glad we steered away!

Wow! Pearl white over red?? I always loved GM red and am a sucker for it! I have never had the option to buy new so unfortunately I never got the choice of red…

ReaperHWK · Mar 10, 2026

I have also drove both the Yukon and Tahoe. I ended up with a Tahoe. One main reason is the interior just flows better.

Cyprus grey for the win for color! My wife loves it….

BacDoc · Mar 10, 2026

Tahoe dashboard and infotainment is very nice design wise. I like the way it flows across the dashboard.
The GMC big central screen is similar to what the Ford Expedition had but I think Ford is moving towards the Chevy design.

The new Expedition has a tailgate which is very nice and I wish GM would have the split tailgate with hatch and tailgate - that is a very versatile design!
You can haul oversized cargo with the tailgate down.

LegalBrief · Mar 10, 2026

That expedition.navigator tailgate, is a dirt trap, it’s not well designed like the r or b…. The giant iPad in isn’t Yukon is claustrophobic, every one who rides in the the Tahoe HC. Loves it..

Having had a GW they are horrible.l reliability is none existent… our was out of service more then in service… beautiful interior, ride was great… just didn’t run..

BacDoc · Mar 11, 2026

I have not seen the Expedition tailgate in person but it looks pretty good on the videos.

Two reasons I like a tailgate -
It’s a great place to sit and hang out after activities with friends

The second reason is if you want to haul anything that sticks out past the rear door, say decking boards that are a foot longer than the back of the hatch closed, you can flag it and get the cargo from the lumber yard to your house without difficulty or damage to the interior.

lost1wing · Mar 11, 2026

Saltydog said:
So been looking at replacing the Wagoneer and we almost came home in this 26 Chevy Tahoe HC, but price was not quite where I want to be and the wife said it will have to be a GMC....

View attachment 480202

I will say the ride quality has been improved over the 21 we had and I do like the updates they have made.

I love my 2026 HC in that same color!

Saltydog · Mar 12, 2026

Bigburb3500 said:
That was our big concern: reliability… glad we steered away!

Wow! Pearl white over red?? I always loved GM red and am a sucker for it! I have never had the option to buy new so unfortunately I never got the choice of red…

I have so much I can go into with regard to Wagoneer reliability. I could write a book between ours and my mother's Wagoneers.....

As for the Red, the wife loves Red, however, the neighbor has a Red 2025 Yukon, so the wife cannot have a Red GM....

Saltydog · Mar 12, 2026

BacDoc said:
The new Expedition has a tailgate which is very nice and I wish GM would have the split tailgate with hatch and tailgate - that is a very versatile design!
You can haul oversized cargo with the tailgate down.

So I actually really like the styling of the new Expedition and my bro n law works for a Ford dealer, so he can get whatever we want a good price.

So the biggest issue with the Expedition is the new dash and control layout. Just to adjust the steering column, you have to go through a menu and it takes way too many steps. That is just one example. They tried to make it Tesla like and I do not like it, I just want to get in and adjust as needed and move along. Even getting the cruise control on was frustrating.

Next is the screen layout is nice, but its almost to faraway from the driver, so trying to see the information on speed and other items is a bit of a strain. No heads-up display either. They have a really cool side-view camera with turn signals, but its almost too far away on the dashboard to be really useful.

Minor grip, the ride is very boat-like and floaty.

Overall, a great package and i can get used to most of the quirks, but the touch pad on the steering wheel, I just can't. It should not be that unintuitive to adjust the steering column.

Funny note, both myself and bro n law could not figure out how to turn on the headlights manually. There is a small icon on the very right side of the main touch screen to get the headlights on......

BacDoc · Mar 12, 2026

Saltydog said:
So I actually really like the styling of the new Expedition and my bro n law works for a Ford dealer, so he can get whatever we want a good price.

So the biggest issue with the Expedition is the new dash and control layout. Just to adjust the steering column, you have to go through a menu and it takes way too many steps. That is just one example. They tried to make it Tesla like and I do not like it, I just want to get in and adjust as needed and move along. Even getting the cruise control on was frustrating.

Next is the screen layout is nice, but its almost to faraway from the driver, so trying to see the information on speed and other items is a bit of a strain. No heads-up display either. They have a really cool side-view camera with turn signals, but its almost too far away on the dashboard to be really useful.

Minor grip, the ride is very boat-like and floaty.

Overall, a great package and i can get used to most of the quirks, but the touch pad on the steering wheel, I just can't. It should not be that unintuitive to adjust the steering column.

Funny note, both myself and bro n law could not figure out how to turn on the headlights manually. There is a small icon on the very right side of the main touch screen to get the headlights on......

Thanks for this!
The Expedition is interesting but IMO not as good of a truck as the GM version.

I do like the tailgate idea but the fact that it has no V8 and the handling (I rented a 2025 Expedition in Utah mountains for a week) is not as solid as the Tahoe I own.

As you mentioned the infotainment system and access to common operation can get complicated. Fortunately GM retains manual controls for the most used features.

The seats on the expedition felt more plush and comfortable but not enough to make me go for the Ford.

vcode · Mar 17, 2026

Saltydog said:
So I actually really like the styling of the new Expedition and my bro n law works for a Ford dealer, so he can get whatever we want a good price.

So the biggest issue with the Expedition is the new dash and control layout. Just to adjust the steering column, you have to go through a menu and it takes way too many steps. That is just one example. They tried to make it Tesla like and I do not like it, I just want to get in and adjust as needed and move along. Even getting the cruise control on was frustrating.

Next is the screen layout is nice, but its almost to faraway from the driver, so trying to see the information on speed and other items is a bit of a strain. No heads-up display either. They have a really cool side-view camera with turn signals, but its almost too far away on the dashboard to be really useful.

Minor grip, the ride is very boat-like and floaty.

Overall, a great package and i can get used to most of the quirks, but the touch pad on the steering wheel, I just can't. It should not be that unintuitive to adjust the steering column.

Funny note, both myself and bro n law could not figure out how to turn on the headlights manually. There is a small icon on the very right side of the main touch screen to get the headlights on......

My brother's GMC Canyon headlight switch is touch screen only.

Saltydog · Mar 20, 2026

So we are looking at getting this 26 Yukon Denali, hopefully we will get all the paperwork settled today. The dealership has not been super great, but the wife loves this one. So far, most of the GMC dealers I have called and spoken with are not very motivated and very mehhh. One even said to me, "we arnt worried, it will sell to someone else."

In comparison to the Infiniti dealers, who are much better in conversations and willing to work a deal. If I could convince the wife on the QX80, it would have been in our driveway already.

GMC Yukon Denali w/ Reserve pk
Window Sticker

Been having a difficult time finding a loaded Yukon in Glacier White Tri with black interior.

Protect1989 · Mar 20, 2026

Saltydog said:
So we are looking at getting this 26 Yukon Denali, hopefully we will get all the paperwork settled today. The dealership has not been super great, but the wife loves this one. So far, most of the GMC dealers I have called and spoken with are not very motivated and very mehhh. One even said to me, "we arnt worried, it will sell to someone else."

In comparison to the Infiniti dealers, who are much better in conversations and willing to work a deal. If I could convince the wife on the QX80, it would have been in our driveway already.

GMC Yukon Denali w/ Reserve pk
Window Sticker

Been having a difficult time finding a loaded Yukon in Glacier White Tri with black interior.

Laura Buick GMC

You should check out Laura Buick GMC. Very well known, easy to deal with, lots of out of state deals. The link above is to a white denali with supercruise for 94k.

Have no idea if its exactly what youre looking for but theyll be far more willing to work with you then your dealer (it sounds like)

ReaperHWK · Mar 20, 2026

At over 100k you might want to look at an Escalade……

Saltydog · Mar 20, 2026

ReaperHWK said:
At over 100k you might want to look at an Escalade……

I thought the same thing, but I can't find one under 120k.

Test Drove a 26 HC

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