2025 Tahoe High Country - 6.2L or 3.0 Turbo Duramax LZ0?

[genestoy]

I would pick the diesel. I currently have a Silverado HC with the 3.0 diesel.
I am waiting for GM to let you get BOTH the diesel and super cruise in a Tahoe.
They sent me an email in March saying I could do that, but every time I go GM's "build & price", as soon as I add super cruise, it deletes the diesel

That is weird, my new 2025 Yukon Elevation has the 3.0 diesel and super cruise.

 

[FatBob]

That is weird, my new 2025 Yukon Elevation has the 3.0 diesel and super cruise.

It might be GM's "Build & Price" website needs to be updated, or GM allocating super cruise to GMC to increase their sales?

For a Silverado, I have to buy the highest trim, HC, to get super cruise.

I'll see if "Build & Price" lets me build a Yukon.

Thanks for posting

 

[238danc]

I once owned a 1993 Suburban LT and currently own a 2002 Suburban LT (love my suburban - great car with low mileage) both with 5.3L engines which have been perfectly satisfactory for my purposes. Both have had 42 and 31 gallon tanks respectively and used 87 octane fuel. I live in N.C. and travel to the beach and the mountains. I plan to buy a 2025 Tahoe High Country to be used as our main traveling car but will still drive in town for errands. I am torn between a 6.2L with premium gas recommended (understand the ‘21-‘24 problems with 6.2L have been addressed) and the new 3.0L turbo Duramax diesel. My son-in law strongly recommends the diesel (for gas mileage) but having never owned a diesel, I am not sure. I doubt I would trailer anything but if did, it would not be very heavy. I will probably average about 9-10,000 miles per year. I must decide between the 6.2L gas engine and the 3.0L diesel engine. I would appreciate any recommendations. Many thanks!

I HAVE A 2021 YUKON XL 3.0 SLT 45,000 ON IT IT IS AWESOME TOTAL AVG MILEAGE SINCE NEW IS 22.5 MPG GOING TO TRADE FOR 2025 SOON YUKON ELAVATION XL 3.0. I HAVE 2 FRIENDS THAT HAVE 1 SUB 1 TAHOE 6.2 HIGH COUNTRY DRIVE BOTH OF THEM ALL THE TIME THEY RUN VERY WELL WITCH ONE IS MORE POWERFUL ? THEY ARE EQUAL IN POWER AN EXCERATION MILEAGE NO THEY DO 13-14

 

[238danc]

That is weird, my new 2025 Yukon Elevation has the 3.0 diesel and super cruise.

U HAVE TO PUT THE PREMIUM PACKAGE TO GET 3.0

 

[genestoy]

U HAVE TO PUT THE PREMIUM PACKAGE TO GET 3.0

No, mine has the "Super Cruise and Trailering" package which was $3495

 

[ChevRGreat]

I have had both the 6.2 and the 3.0 diesel in a Yukon Denali. The 3.0 diesel is by far the best choice from my experience. 6.2 gives about 18 to 20 mpg while the diesel gives 27 to 30 mpg. The diesel is much smoother when accelerating and very quiet and responsive. The 6.2 has more passing power as it accelerates faster but unless you’re racing your Tahoe, you don’t need it. I am trading in my 2023 Yukon Denali diesel on a new 2025 Denali diesel. The 3.0L diesel is a real winner in my opinion!

Thanks!! I am trying to order the diesel now. Appears to be an allotment issue.

 

[KSanger]

I would pick the diesel. I currently have a Silverado HC with the 3.0 diesel.
I am waiting for GM to let you get BOTH the diesel and super cruise in a Tahoe.
They sent me an email in March saying I could do that, but every time I go GM's "build & price", as soon as I add super cruise, it deletes the diesel

Every Package I try to add includes a Sunroof.

 

[olyelr]

Every Package I try to add includes a Sunroof.

So dumb

 

[555hp]

Well, this diatribe will likely get me some negative replies. But it is given based on much experience.

My 6.2 2011 Yukon Denali XL was definitely tuned to provide a noticeable difference when fed premium. That being said, I ran regular gas for 195,000 miles. Then feeling rich on a mountainous road trip, I ran a tank of premium. I was startled by the power increase when passing on two lane roads. Don't let anyone tell you that you must run premium. The engine electronically adjusts to the fuel that you use without problems or consequences.

Now for the fun part. I have a 6.2 mystery motor in my 2023 Yukon Denali XL. I have not checked it out yet but the wife (her car) has scheduled an appointment. I still would order a 6.2. Why?

My turbo in my 2011 6.2 never gave me the first inkling of problem. Wait, I did not have a turbo. Turbos are running virtually full time and work ******* an under-powered diesel engine. If you expect to put 75,000 miles on a your new Tahoe then a turbo will likely work out OK. If you expect to put more, I don't understand why an under powered turbo diesel is even part of the discussion.

If your son-in-law thinks you will get more miles out of a diesel, think again. I traded the wife's 2011 6.2 with 203,000 absolutely trouble free miles (except for two broken exhaust manifold bolts, and they cured that problem). It used zero oil between 5,000 mile Amsoil filter changes and 10,000 mile Amsoil Signature 5/30 oil changes. That is precisely why I bought so many of those platforms. I suggest your turbo will not last that long in a 3.0.

Gas is always available at any station I stop. Diesel is not always that available.

My view is colored by my 1984, 1985 (340,000 miles), 1987, and 2001 (340,000 miles) Suburbans. The 2011 6.2 (203,000 miles) was a very welcome addition with a substantial gain in power and luxury. I expect my 2023 6.2 (28,000 miles) to do the same. It may need an engine replacement, but all that means is it will go more miles before I replace it.

I suspect someone's posterior has been blistered for the dumb butt mistake of not inspecting parts they were receiving. Whoever has probably been demoted to a Senior VP position.

Don't let anyone scare you about ordering a 6.2 today.

Your non turbo-diesel argument suggests that the 18 wheeler turbo diesels shouldn't last the million miles that they do.....

The biggest downside for the diesel is repair costs (an item that should be considered for any GM nowadays).

 

[olyelr]

Your non turbo-diesel argument suggests that the 18 wheeler turbo diesels shouldn't last the million miles that they do.....

The biggest downside for the diesel is repair costs (an item that should be considered for any GM nowadays).

Yep. I read a lot of pros about it and people who have had no issues and love it. Just talked to a local in my town with a z71 truck with the diesel. Hes had 3 turbos replaced already, and now are replacing the entire motor. As you can imagine, he thinks its a big pile of dog $h!t.

Same thing with the gasser tho.

Its the luck of the draw these days.

 

[Antonm]

I'm a diesel guy, currently own two diesel trucks and a diesel tractor, even my home standby generator is diesel,, in short, I like me some diesel power.

That said, the baby Duramax is a hard pass for me. Its too small to do the job without being boosted to the moon, and the emissions control systems on it are a complicated nightmare that will fail (not may fail, not likely to fail, but will fail). And to protect the environment, when those emissions systems do fail, it will leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Side note, pretty funny that the new Army ISV (Infantry Squad vehicle) the M1301, which is based off the Chevy Colorado with the baby Duramax, is absent all emission equipment. Apparently it doesn't break down near as much and gets a solid 20% better fuel milage ,,,weird huh.

Then there is that stupid wet rubber belt that drives the oil pump that at the back of the engine requiring transmission removal to change. An oil wetted belt is never a good idea,,,never. Several different companies have tired over the years and all have failed , Ford even had a big recall over oil wetted belts shedding off rubber and clogging the oil sump pickup tube screen. Perhaps they've made it suck-less with new materials, but anything oil wetted needs to be a chain or gear (something metal, preferably heat treated/ hardened metal).

If I had it to do over again, I would've bought an optioned-out Premier or Z71 trim level Tahoe (or the GMC equivalents) with a 5.3 instead of the High Country (with a 6.2) I currently own. But hindsight is always 20/20.
...

 

[Reels]

I have a 23 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2. The dealer has a Denali on the lot with a diesel and asked if I can test drive it. Took it for about an hour test drive, highway and city. Thought, hmmm that seemed pretty strong. I was thinking I would go with the diesel with a 26 order. Better gas mileage, it would tow the boat fine... Got back in mine and when I hit the pedal it threw me back in my seat like a jet fighter, and my wife says.... "Do you really want to give up that acceleration and passing power?" Being honest with myself that I am still a kid inside and drive my sled like I stole it sometimes... I told the dealer to order me the 6.2 when he gets the allocation.

 

[BacDoc]

I have a 23 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2. The dealer has a Denali on the lot with a diesel and asked if I can test drive it. Took it for about an hour test drive, highway and city. Thought, hmmm that seemed pretty strong. I was thinking I would go with the diesel with a 26 order. Better gas mileage, it would tow the boat fine... Got back in mine and when I hit the pedal it threw me back in my seat like a jet fighter, and my wife says.... "Do you really want to give up that acceleration and passing power?" Being honest with myself that I am still a kid inside and drive my sled like I stole it sometimes... I told the dealer to order me the 6.2 when he gets the allocation.

Exactly the way I feel about my Tahoe with the 6.2l, it’s the feel, the sound and the beautiful quad exhaust.
It’s basically a corvette engine in a land yacht and if you are a motor head you know there’s no replacement for displacement!

 

[CTown Duramax]

Get the diesel. Get the diesel. It's plenty fast in a 6,000lb 4WD. It is in no way underpowered. Modern turbodiesel are just better engines. The Europeans have been using these four cylinder and six cylinder turbodiesel for years with great results. Turbo failures are not an issue. For some reason, the half liter cylinder produces the best performance and efficiency, so VW, Mercedes and BMW all have 2.0 liter fours and 3.0 liter sixes. The higher end versions have bigger turbos with higher output than the LM2/LM0. Those engines come at a higher acquisition price but are considered stronger and more durable. And there are millions of them. My GM dealer/importer friend says the diesels are trouble free, the naturally aspirated gassers not so much. I have a 44k mile 2021 LM2 with no issues - fantastic engine. Do not hesitate. The fuel cost of the diesel is way lower than the gas - especially the premium thirsty 6.2 - even at higher diesel prices. My engine was one of the first and the main seal had to be replaced under warranty - 3 day turnaround with a loaner - but the leak was very small and slow. That was only an issue with the early 2021's. Compared to the gassers, that's nothing. I love GM V8's, had many of them, but this diesel is something above and beyond. You'll never look back.

 

[genestoy]

I bought a new 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300SD with the 5 cyl 3 liter turbocharged engine, fantastic engine and was a great car. Drove it for many miles and ended up selling it for what I paid for it several years later. Love my new 2025 Yukon 3.0 LZ0 diesel!

 

[olyelr]

Get the diesel. Get the diesel. It's plenty fast in a 6,000lb 4WD. It is in no way underpowered. Modern turbodiesel are just better engines. The Europeans have been using these four cylinder and six cylinder turbodiesel for years with great results. Turbo failures are not an issue. For some reason, the half liter cylinder produces the best performance and efficiency, so VW, Mercedes and BMW all have 2.0 liter fours and 3.0 liter sixes. The higher end versions have bigger turbos with higher output than the LM2/LM0. Those engines come at a higher acquisition price but are considered stronger and more durable. And there are millions of them. My GM dealer/importer friend says the diesels are trouble free, the naturally aspirated gassers not so much. I have a 44k mile 2021 LM2 with no issues - fantastic engine. Do not hesitate. The fuel cost of the diesel is way lower than the gas - especially the premium thirsty 6.2 - even at higher diesel prices. My engine was one of the first and the main seal had to be replaced under warranty - 3 day turnaround with a loaner - but the leak was very small and slow. That was only an issue with the early 2021's. Compared to the gassers, that's nothing. I love GM V8's, had many of them, but this diesel is something above and beyond. You'll never look back.

While most likely not a common issue, the turbos do fail. Guy in my town has had 3 replaced so far on his half ton silverado.

 

[Antonm]

I bought a new 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300SD with the 5 cyl 3 liter turbocharged engine, fantastic engine and was a great car. Drove it for many miles and ended up selling it for what I paid for it several years later. Love my new 2025 Yukon 3.0 LZ0 diesel!

The Mercedes OM617 turbo is one of the best diesel engines ever made,,,,but it sure wasn't a rocket ship/ power house.

According to google, it managed to power a 3500lb car from 0-60 in 14 seconds,,, painfully slow by even the standards of the 1980's.

While modern diesels are a little better in the power department, they still don't compete with the gassers (and I'm a diesel guy, so its dis-hearting to admit that). Even the base 5.3 will run circles around the baby Duramax (won't be getting the same MPG while doing it though).
...

 

[brkoom]

I own a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali diesel with 60,000 miles. It’s been in the shop nearly a dozen times for DEF system repairs or cleanouts. When the issue hits, you have to take it in immediately or the vehicle limits your speed. It’s now been in the shop for two weeks while they diagnose a faulty turbo. I’ve had four Denalis since 1999 with almost no problems. My father-in-law worked for GM for 43 years, but I’m likely done with GMC after this one.