Any regrets not getting a Suburban/XL instead of Tahoe/Yukon?

[vcode]

Don't know enough about suvs, think a 3-seat front row is still an option for 'work trucks' though.

A quick check says you can get a 2025 Tahoe LS with a front bench seat. Saves you $250. Gotta be a rare bird.....

 

[GMCChevy]

Hunh? I took the 3rd row out so 2 in Front, 3 in back.

The 2 seats front row comes down to how often do you need 3 people sitting up front vs the convenience of having the console. It's nothing new, 2 seats and console was also very common in the old full size Broncos.

What's dumber is how common the second row captains chairs are. It does give better access to the 3rd row for wherever gets stuck sitting back there.

 

[Marky Dissod]

The 3 seats front row comes down to
how often do you need 3 people sitting up front vs the convenience of having the console?

Driving lessons are so much easier with a central 3rd seat. Nothing to do with a 3rd person in front.
(Or) If I want to give my right foot & leg a break, I can drive from the central 3rd seat. No 3rd person in front.
If my woman wants to sit beside me while I drive / I want to sit beside her while she drives,
we need a central 3rd seat. Nothing to do with a 3rd person.

Central 3rd seat's butt flips open for storage AND ALSO its backrest folds down and opens for more storage.
3rd central seat competes very nicely with the console for storage space.
Console sucks bloody haemorrhoids as a central 3rd seat.

 

[JayceeP]

The 2 seats front row comes down to how often do you need 3 people sitting up front vs the convenience of having the console. It's nothing new, 2 seats and console was also very common in the old full size Broncos.

What's dumber is how common the second row captains chairs are. It does give better access to the 3rd row for wherever gets stuck sitting back there.

Yeah I don’t like captains chairs but seems as though GM thinks anyone who wants a Denali or High Country wants captain chairs.

 

[Protect1989]

Its pretty clear the extra space in the suburban is a great thing to have.

From a daily perspective, how much extra of a PITA was it? Cant imagine everyone is using all their available suburban space daily, which means lots of time hauling around empty extra cargo room.

Was having the extra space worth the extra hassle on your day-to-day usage?

Replying to this to stay on track for this thread

 

[GMCChevy]

Driving lessons are so much easier with a central 3rd seat. Nothing to do with a 3rd person in front.
(Or) If I want to give my right foot & leg a break, I can drive from the central 3rd seat. No 3rd person in front.
If my woman wants to sit beside me while I drive / I want to sit beside her while she drives,
we need a central 3rd seat. Nothing to do with a 3rd person.

Central 3rd seat's butt flips open for storage AND ALSO its backrest folds down and opens for more storage.
3rd central seat competes very nicely with the console for storage space.
Console sucks bloody haemorrhoids as a central 3rd seat.

Flat front bench seats aren't as comfortable as buckets. The kind with bench shaped Driver and passenger sides are usually as comfortable but the center is even worse.

Flip down center arm rest is usually nicer to use as an arm rest then consoles sometimes strange placed top but storage isn't nearly as convenient.

Console can make it a pain in the ass to get something from the other side.

Sometimes that barrier is nice depending on who's in the car with you.

I have vehicles with both and never really cared either way. I probably prefer consoles in trucks because they give you more storage space. Cars usually have dinkier consoles that I'd rather have the seat space.

 

[GMCChevy]

Its pretty clear the extra space in the suburban is a great thing to have.

From a daily perspective, how much extra of a PITA was it? Cant imagine everyone is using all their available suburban space daily, which means lots of time hauling around empty extra cargo room.

Was having the extra space worth the extra hassle on your day-to-day usage?

Guess that comes down to how much do you really need the extra space and would it be more convenient for you to have the shorter vehicle? For my needs I've rarely needed the extra space but there are a lot of times where I don't like taking a bigger vehicle.

 

[JayceeP]

Its pretty clear the extra space in the suburban is a great thing to have.

From a daily perspective, how much extra of a PITA was it? Cant imagine everyone is using all their available suburban space daily, which means lots of time hauling around empty extra cargo room.

Was having the extra space worth the extra hassle on your day-to-day usage?

It (Yukon XL) would be more annoying if I wasn’t getting 20-26mpg on every tank of gas with the 3.0 diesel haha

 

[Vinnoto1]

I have been shopping for a Tahoe/Yukon for months and were getting ready to pull the trigger.

However we have a friend who just got a suburban and absolutely loves the space. We have a kid on the way and now I am second guessing which option I should go with.

Anyone who purchased Tahoe/Yukon, do you have regrets about not getting the longer wheelbase versions? Question could also be asked the other way too.


Note: I currently have a GMC sierra which is the exact same length as a Suburban/XL, so the size wouldnt be new to me

If you plan to use the third row, get the XL.

 

[SpareParts]

Replying to this to stay on track for this thread

What one do you want? Not talked into.

 

[vcode]

If you plan to use the third row, get the XL.

Surprisingly, it is only an extra 1.8" of legroom.

 

[Geotrash]

2 Yukon XL’s and a Suburban here. 2 kids, big dog, in-laws, kids’ friends. We use the extra space. All. The. Time.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve said a gratitude to myself for the extra space as we’re loading up to go somewhere.

 

[Protect1989]

2 Yukon XL’s and a Suburban here. 2 kids, big dog, in-laws, kids’ friends. We use the extra space. All. The. Time.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve said a gratitude to myself for the extra space as we’re loading up to go somewhere.

This is my exact dilemma.

Day to day, the SWB will be easier for the current family situation. However as soon as you add parent(s) coming to town, extended family, taking the dogs with us, or going on any sort of trip, the extra space would be great.

I am sure we would do fine with the short wheelbase for 90% of our usage. Part of our problem is with the truck now, we never have an issue when it comes to storage space. We are spoiled with the option of space even when we dont utilize it the majority of the time. Its when we do have a need for it that we love it.

 

[ducfan]

You must have the executive second row seating package, which is why your captain chairs don’t fold down like the standard ones do.

Correct. I was not presented with any other options. Even had I known they don't fold, I would have reluctantly take it anyway. I do like it, save for that 'feature'.

 

[Geotrash]

This is my exact dilemma.

Day to day, the SWB will be easier for the current family situation. However as soon as you add parent(s) coming to town, extended family, taking the dogs with us, or going on any sort of trip, the extra space would be great.

I am sure we would do fine with the short wheelbase for 90% of our usage. Part of our problem is with the truck now, we never have an issue when it comes to storage space. We are spoiled with the option of space even when we dont utilize it the majority of the time. Its when we do have a need for it that we love it.

Precisely. For us, the benefits of the longer wheelbase far outweigh any drawbacks in real-life situations. I can always find another parking spot, but I can't make more interior space when I need it. And the longer wheelbase is much better for towing stability, which we do often.

 

[Sundancer]

I have owned Tahoe's since 2003 LT and 2011 LTZ and now a 2020 RST. We have traveled all over the place from Long Island to Florida and in between, to Chicago and Ohio, to Quebec and Lake Placid. We love the ride and comfort as it is only the wife and the dog (Golden Retriever now). I love all the little toys it has and only once did I think of getting a suburban because my neighbor got one and it looked like so much bigger. 14 inches longer to be exact But we stayed with our Tahoe and have not regretted at all.

 

[OKZ71]

Its pretty clear the extra space in the suburban is a great thing to have.

From a daily perspective, how much extra of a PITA was it? Cant imagine everyone is using all their available suburban space daily, which means lots of time hauling around empty extra cargo room.

Was having the extra space worth the extra hassle on your day-to-day usage?

I went from a 2013 F150 to a '25 Suburban this summer, after having our 2nd kid. One of the best decisions I've ever made when it comes to vehicles.

Can't compare it to a Tahoe, but the Suburban is easier to maneuver & park than my F150.
Maybe due to shorter wheel base than truck? Better turning radius than truck? Not sure, but it is 100% easier day-to-day.

I carry some light tools for work daily, small boxes, etc. was always under the bedcover in the truck. IMO, the Suburban/XL is a truck with a camper shell.

It was a PITA taking family trips in the F150 once we had our first. Had to have necessities for the kid in the cab of the truck... then suit cases, bottle maker, bottle cleaner, pack n' play, etc, etc, etc, in the bed of truck. Just a hassle.

Our first trip as a family of four in the Suburban was July 4th. I folded the single seat of the 3rd row down, loaded all our gear up, with most important in that folded down 3rd single seat. It didn't take long on the highway before my wife was in the 3rd seat, feeding a bottle to our infant.

FWIW - the Suburban/XL wheelbase with the 20" wheels has to be, one of, if not the smoothest ride on the road.

 

[Stbentoak]

This is my exact dilemma.

Day to day, the SWB will be easier for the current family situation. However as soon as you add parent(s) coming to town, extended family, taking the dogs with us, or going on any sort of trip, the extra space would be great.

I am sure we would do fine with the short wheelbase for 90% of our usage. Part of our problem is with the truck now, we never have an issue when it comes to storage space. We are spoiled with the option of space even when we dont utilize it the majority of the time. Its when we do have a need for it that we love it.

I'd like to have a 5 bedroom, 4 bath home too for when guests come and stay.. But as you mentioned for 90% of the time a three bedroom, two bath works just fine. I buy for what I use most of the time. Not for the occasional time I need a little extra.....

 

[Protect1989]

I stopped by my local chevy dealership to take a closer look at the Suburban and take it for a test drive.

I am 99% sure I will end up with the SWB version. The Suburban is great and theres tons of room, but it is a lot of vehicle to handle day to day when the majority of the time only 3 seats will be filled.

If things change drastically over the next few years, ill give the SWB to the wife and go get a LWB for me (win-win, i get an even newer car!).

 

[Blueinterceptor]

That’s what I did. Wife got the Tahoe and I got the suburban.