I currently have a 2015 GMC Acadia. I am happy with the car but the recall has forced my hand to find a new car. I am looking at the 22 and 23 Yukons. Right now a new Yukon Denali with air suspension is around $92k, without the air suspension is around $80k to $82k. A new upgraded SLT is around $72k but of course without the air suspension. I live in Atlanta, typically driving within a 5 mile radius of my house, 2 road trips a year max and never tow anything. So, question is whether air suspension is still worth the added cost for someone like me and if not, whether the Denali is still worth it over a top of the line SLT if it is without the air suspension. Also, for anyone who has the light interior of the Denali, has it held up well? (I have 2 kids and 2 dogs)
Air Suspension a must?
- Thread starter ctalison
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Vladimir2306
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I have four children and no dogs))) I drive the car all the time, the interior is bright. Yes, you have to wipe it regularly, but it’s worth it, after 40 thousand km it looks like new)
As for the air suspension. Don’t let them throw tomatoes at me))) I think that in this generation it is pointless, except for changing the ground clearance on off-road conditions. I tried a car with and without air suspension, there is practically no difference. My last car was a Mercedes GLS with air suspension, and it literally floated above the road. GM is far from Mercedes suspension))))
If you could wait, I would order one with the options you want. I just picked up my Denali, I added the power assist running boards, air suspension, and panoramic sunroof and my MSRP was $81k. I did have gm supplier pricing but it still would have been about $85k. My wife has a 23’ Tahoe without air suspension. My ride definitely seems a little smoother but hers isn’t bad by any means either.
NothEastTahoe
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I just got a denali without the air suspension, I have been happy with it. Maybe the air suspension is a bit better, but I haven't tried it. I live around a lot of crap roads in the north east, so far its been fine over bumps and whatnot with the magnetic suspension. It's better than the other vehicles we have had at least. I ordered a denali specifically because I dislike the dash set up in the lower trims and do my best not to own a car with pop up screens that don't blend with the dash. We were originally going with a lower trim with a lot of options checked, then once I realized the denali fixed my dash issues, just bit the bullet. The interior of the denali is worth it over the lower trims until they update that if you can afford it imo.
BrokerThis
'22 Denali Dmax
If you tow, Air suspension is highly recommended
tjs3922
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The air suspension is heavenly. I just got mine about a month ago and is the best feature of this ultra loaded Denali.
WalleyeMikeIII
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The Denali gets Magnetic Ride Control (adjustable shocks) standard...the Height Adjustable air suspension is an option on top of that. The ride will be fantastic with or without the Air Suspension...mostly due to the magnetic ride control.
If you are not towing, and don't intend to, I would skip it...really is no need to have it in that case...only reason I got it is because I tow my 4500lb boat almost every weekend in the summer, and a couple week long trips a year...in this case, it is very worth it.
That said, if you desire the electronic limited slip rear differential, the only way to get that is in the premium capability package w/ active response 4WD, meanding you get the Air ride with it...
If I analyze your use case:
Live in ATL
Normal drives 5-10 miles
never tow
You definitely do not need the air suspension.
I would question why you even need 4wd...you didn't actually say you are getting 4WD...so I may be assuming here.
To meet your needs, you probably only need base 2wd denali, and whatever options you desire to add on...but can easily skip the 4wd and Air Suspension.
The one caveat would be if you or one of your regular passengers had a physical limitation where the 2"-3" drop to entry/exit height was an asset. I usually don't use this feature unless I am picking up my or my wife's 80+ year old parents...they do appreciate the lowered entry height and articulated running boards.
Tahoe14
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You are the only one who can decide some of the questions you are asking and the amount of money you would be spending. Go drive the vehicles you are looking at and buy the one you like best. Good luck with your decision.
Thank you! This is extremely helpful. I agree with you that the 4WD is not needed. So, the Magnetic Ride Control is not on the SLT correct?
Agree with your comment the screen. Always liked the integrated look better. Thank you
WalleyeMikeIII
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Correct, not on SLT
Onlyone
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if you’re going to spend over 80k you might as well get the air suspension and every other option you can get. You’ll kick yourself and covet thy neighbors Yukon later if you don’t.
yukon-xl
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I drove the new 2022 Yukon XL AT4 with magnetic ride and air ride suspension with factory 20” wheels and did not notice that it was much smoother/softer compared to my SLT XL with 22” wheels and NO magnetic ride, and NO air-ride. Normally 20” would ride little softer due to higher profile tires. The AT4 had higher profile tires, magnetic ride and Air-ride suspension, and it was not noticeable better. I did like the option of lowering it and the extra 2 inch higher clearance. As far as I know, there are 4 settings: lowest setting is 2inch lower than my SLT and is used for entry/exit only (can’t drive with it lowered), setting #2 is the normal setting that all Yukons are that are without air ride option. #3 setting is 1 inch higher for increased ground clearance, and can be only driven up to 45-55mph (if I remember correctly), and the 4th setting is maximum ground clearance with 2” higher than normal and can only be driven in 4WD-LOW. Maybe if I would drive it on rough road I would notice that air ride is smoother, but in the city on paved roads I did not notice the ride quality difference. The main benefit is for lower entry and for higher off road ground clearance. I do like the option for it, nice to have it. But then depending on how often it will be used and if it’s worth paying extra for it, also may be more expensive for future maintenance when it is out of the warranty. I would have gotten the AT4 if Diesel engine would be available in it. Rumors say that 2024 may have diesel AT4.
TrueAt1stLight
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Here is a cut and paste from my original thread about ordering a 2021 Denali:
“Regarding the Adaptive air ride suspension, I test drove one with and one without back to back. A few findings:
When I first drove the Denali without adaptive air suspension I was concerned that it rode every bit as I figured a large SUV would: a bit soft, prone to diving in the curves and overall unrefined compared to my experience driving German SUV’s over the past decade. I just figured that’s what I had to come to grips with in order to have the size and space of the Yukon. Then I drove the adaptive air ride-equipped model and it was literally night and day to me. It rode so much more composed and had a brawny athletic feel to it while braking and taking turns. It literally rode like a big, heavy, solid German SUV and I was blown away by the ride quality.
Regarding ride "feel," I would not say the ride is “softer” with the adaptive air suspension- rather more planted, responsive and athletic. Bumps and jarring pavement imperfections, as well as aggressive steering inputs and abrupt braking didn’t cause it to be unsettled in the least.”
“Regarding the Adaptive air ride suspension, I test drove one with and one without back to back. A few findings:
When I first drove the Denali without adaptive air suspension I was concerned that it rode every bit as I figured a large SUV would: a bit soft, prone to diving in the curves and overall unrefined compared to my experience driving German SUV’s over the past decade. I just figured that’s what I had to come to grips with in order to have the size and space of the Yukon. Then I drove the adaptive air ride-equipped model and it was literally night and day to me. It rode so much more composed and had a brawny athletic feel to it while braking and taking turns. It literally rode like a big, heavy, solid German SUV and I was blown away by the ride quality.
Regarding ride "feel," I would not say the ride is “softer” with the adaptive air suspension- rather more planted, responsive and athletic. Bumps and jarring pavement imperfections, as well as aggressive steering inputs and abrupt braking didn’t cause it to be unsettled in the least.”
we had a 21 AT4 all decked out with the air ride - currently have a 23 Z71 without it.
We drive our vehicles - put 45k on the AT4 in 14 months actually had a 22 Z71 in between the 23 we now have. Agree with others that one of the biggest advantages would be if the driver or a passenger would benefit from the vehicle lowering. With two kids/dogs, accessibility probably isn't an issue. It's been a couple years, but the Z71 rides good. No complaints.
We started to not like the air ride because at every stop it would seem to want to "re-adjust" so it was constantly moving at almost every stop light. Granted we sold it before we had any air ride issues, but I could see that possibly being something to deal with in the future.
This is probably not a popular opinion, but we weren't too keen on the auto steps on the AT4. We also have two kids so everywhere we went there were four doors opening/closing, and as much as we seemed like the "A team" jumping out, we didn't all use the nonexistent sliding side door...
What would happen is the kid on my side would get in before me so the step would be in mid-cycle when I would open my door, so I'd have to wait on the step to complete the cycle - sure just a few seconds I know, but started to get annoying. We also had a step motor go out, thankfully covered under warranty.
Would have gone back with a "base" AT4 if that would've been an option to order last year in order to get away from some of the tech but ended up with a Z71 with the luxury package.
We drive our vehicles - put 45k on the AT4 in 14 months actually had a 22 Z71 in between the 23 we now have. Agree with others that one of the biggest advantages would be if the driver or a passenger would benefit from the vehicle lowering. With two kids/dogs, accessibility probably isn't an issue. It's been a couple years, but the Z71 rides good. No complaints.
We started to not like the air ride because at every stop it would seem to want to "re-adjust" so it was constantly moving at almost every stop light. Granted we sold it before we had any air ride issues, but I could see that possibly being something to deal with in the future.
This is probably not a popular opinion, but we weren't too keen on the auto steps on the AT4. We also have two kids so everywhere we went there were four doors opening/closing, and as much as we seemed like the "A team" jumping out, we didn't all use the nonexistent sliding side door...
What would happen is the kid on my side would get in before me so the step would be in mid-cycle when I would open my door, so I'd have to wait on the step to complete the cycle - sure just a few seconds I know, but started to get annoying. We also had a step motor go out, thankfully covered under warranty.
Would have gone back with a "base" AT4 if that would've been an option to order last year in order to get away from some of the tech but ended up with a Z71 with the luxury package.
