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

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ducfan

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I have been trying to get on the allocation list for a Denali diesel since March. And I am friends with the dealership owner. Mary Barra making it very difficult to spend money.
 

Johnny Fr

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I have been trying to get on the allocation list for a Denali diesel since March. And I am friends with the dealership owner. Mary Barra making it very difficult to spend money.
Question…if you wanted the 6.2, does that change the allocation situation?

Our scenario is we want to order a HC with one option, HC deluxe. Thx
 

Canadiansteelman

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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 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!
 

Canadiansteelman

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Thank you!
The diesel has just as much torque as the 6.2 so no problem towing with it. I towed a car trailer with my car on it back and forth to Florida from Ontario. Engine had lots of power and still gave 18 mpg towing the car at 70 mph on expressways.
 

FatBob

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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 :mad:
 

keithcruiser

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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 owned a Suburban or Yukon since my first new one in 1981. My most recent 2018 has only 68,000 km on it (about 42,000 miles) equipped with the 6.2 and loved it until: a lifter failed taking out the lobe on the camshaft. Now it’s in being repaired. no warranty and it’s going to be over $10,000 to fix. This is a common failure on the AFM engines, usually with higher mileages. I think I would try the 3.0 diesel!
 

Eighthtry

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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.
 

ZKWBQD

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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!
Avoid turbo and avoid diesel. You always want a normally aspirated V8 engine. Turbos put a lot of strain on the engine. Your V8 can do the same work load without stressing it as much. In Detroit they have a saying, there is no Replacement for Displacement.
 

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