Am I crazy for holding out for a 6.2 RST?

[selectsplat]

My dealer said he could get my order through now if I could do with a 5.3.

I really want a 6.2, and will probably wait for it, especially spending that much money.

But my question is, how much of a difference does it really make in this truck? I won’t be towing much, if ever. It’s just a weekend cruiser for me, but I do like having more than average “get up and go” when I need it.

 

[Tonyv__]

So my 6.2 in my 15 hauls ass… but it’s still a slow SUV to some and always will be.

My comment may be irrelevant because I haven’t driven any newer 5.3s to truly compare but My last truck was a 00 Tahoe with the 5.3. And I currently have an express van with the 6.0. The 6.2 blows them out of the water.

 

[sanman28]

Buy a Denali

 

[NathanSMSU]

I own a 2019 5.3l TrailBoss (Truck) and a 2022 HighCountry with the 6.2l. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with different weights and transmissions...etc, but the HighCountry hands down can get out of it's own way much quicker than the truck. I also owned a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with the 5.3l....once again this 6.2l is a game changer.

 

[cgator67]

We love our new '22 RST with the 6.2L V8. Besides the extra power, the drive is awesome with magnetic ride control and the quad tip exhaust looks great. Don't have 5.3L to compare to but from all accounts, the magnetic ride control is worth it and glad we got the sports performance package on ours. Here's a great review of the RST with the 6.2L:

 

[MoofPotter]

I had a 2021 6.2L Denali that I ended up trading in November for a 2022 RST with the 5.3L. There is a definite difference in power, but not as much as I anticipated. Fuel economy is 3-4 MPG better in my experience as well. If you like the look of the dual exhaust outlets with quad tips, there are several examples here of folks changing out the rear valance and putting the Corsa or Chevy performance exhaust on an RST for the look and sound. That's my plan. No regrets with the 5.3L here.

 

[cgator67]

I had a 2021 6.2L Denali that I ended up trading in November for a 2022 RST with the 5.3L. There is a definite difference in power, but not as much as I anticipated. Fuel economy is 3-4 MPG better in my experience as well. If you like the look of the dual exhaust outlets with quad tips, there are several examples here of folks changing out the rear valance and putting the Corsa or Chevy performance exhaust on an RST for the look and sound. That's my plan. No regrets with the 5.3L here.

What about losing magnetic ride control? You don't miss it?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Wait for the 6.2. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Teamiez]

6.2L all day

 

[MoofPotter]

What about losing magnetic ride control? You don't miss it?

In my experience, hardly noticeable, and I’m in NOLA with pot holes aplenty. I did not have the air ride on the Denali, so can’t speak to how much better that is.

 

[MoofPotter]

And please note, if you have the extra money and more importantly the patience, the 6.2L is an amazing engine. Had it in my 09 Sierra Denali as well in the past.

Just saying that the 5.3L is no slouch, and I drive 80 miles round trip to work every weekday. Not having to fill with premium and the extra 3-4 MPG on the highway is part of the equation for me.

Each person has unique use cases. If I were towing often, it would be the 6.2 all day. That’s it’s best use case in my opinion. These aren’t high performing sports cars after all.

 

[Teamiez]

In my experience, hardly noticeable, and I’m in NOLA with pot holes aplenty. I did not have the air ride on the Denali, so can’t speak to how much better that is.

Bonus over standard shock / spring setup vs magnetic ride control is the normal set up is ALOT more reliable and cheaper to maintain / repair.

 

[Steveo123]

Personal experience

15 Suburban LTZ 2wd 5.3 6spd
Was no slouch did it’s job

18 Yukon XL Denali 4wd 6.2 10spd
Ran like a bat out of hell

21 Yukon XL Denali 4wd 6.2 10spd
Noticeably less quicker then the 18

22 Tahoe Z71 performance package 6.2 10spd
Still not on par with my 18 Denali, Disappointing considering it’s the short wheelbase and less weight then the 21 Denali.

The weight added to the 21+ body style really shows compared to the 18 6.2 10spd. The tuning in the 21+ 10spd trans seems to really be holding the 6.2 back, my 18 flat out felt like a sports car. I have not driven a 5.3 10spd so I can’t compare on that front but I can only imagine I’d probably hate it because the 6.2 just doesn’t feel that great so a 5.3 would be even less impressive to me. My choice would be wait for a 6.2.

 

[sanman28]

Most GM trucks have the throttle tip-in dialed way back and lots torque management built in. It all in the tune.

 

[SSGUNNER]

My 21 RST is a 5.3 and has sufficient giddy up for me. Granted I baby it most of the time lol. Never drove the 6.2 in these big SUV’s but had a 6.2 on my 2SS Camaro. Sold the car after I basically felt it was underpowered and never looked back. After I decided to get another V8 I went with a Jeep SRT and that is a beast. I know different power and weight.

So on my 5.3 I had a 2nd gen Tahoe pull up on me and rev’ing, we’ll I turned the dial to sport and let it rip on green. Let’s just say the new 5.3’s Ain’t no Slouch.

Oh and didn’t want to cut my rear diffuser or buy a new one so I had my tips curved out.

 

[sanman28]

The rst is sharp…..but w/o a 6.2 the idea is mehhh. If GM was serious, and they aren’t, they would include a unique engine, beyond the 6.2, or perhaps rear end ratio. Something to make it decidedly quicker.

 

[Eusibius2]

Most GM trucks have the throttle tip-in dialed way back and lots torque management built in. It all in the tune.

Was thinking the same thing here - would a tune, even like a Bully Dog BDX tuner, adjust it enough to put more pep in the step?

 

[sanman28]

Was thinking the same thing here - would a tune, even like a Bully Dog BDX tuner, adjust it enough to put more pep in the step?

All of it can be “fixed” via tune. I had an 06’ Silverado with the 6.0 LQ9….had pcmforless custom tune. Different truck after. Nearly 1 second quicker 1/4 mile too. But of course it’s harder on the drivetrain. Doubt an off the shelf tune will be nearly as aggressive.

 

[R32driver]

had a 5.3 in our '11 burb and now a 5.3 in our '21 yukon and these 2 seem quite different. The burb always felt like an underpowered slouch that you had to basically mash the gas to get it moving. The '21 has much more pep in it's step and really moves if you mash the gas. I kind of think it has a lot to do with the new 10 speed transmission. I'm perfectly happy with the 5.3 in this new gen and not buying premium fuel is a good thing in this day and age, especially with prices continuing to climb. It cost me $70 the other day to fill up my tiny VW R32 with premium so I'd hate to see the final number at the pump on one of these huge beasts that needed premuim

 

[Dustindu4]

The 6.2 engine is night and day over the 5.3. The Denali has scary acceleration and roasts tires