Little vs big V8 2025 Tahoe

[A320Guy]

Trying to decide between the smaller and larger V8 on a Tahoe Premier. I plan to pull a travel trailer with it eventually. Seems to me the larger V8 has a slightly smaller towing capacity. I would guess because of its extra weight over the smaller V8.

On average how much more is the operating cost since you have to use Premium gas?

 

[Stbentoak]

Why would you not consider a diesel? It has every advantage over both of those engines. especially in the towing department which you anticipate. There is no downside....

 

[Fless]

Moved here from the EV section.

 

[pa31p]

IAE or Leap

May be worth waiting to March 03. 2025 Duramax order bank opens. Pulled 4000lbs travel trailer with the 5.3. found it underwelming to me.

Went to Duramax, more pulling power but still shifting points like the higher RPM. GM really tries to unload torgue when towing on the 10 speed even on flat road. saving the tranny programming is on the high side either way. with the 4000lbs in tow eventually… it will go <2000rpm

Never towed with the 6.2 myself but curious to see the difference. I’d pick the 6.2 if nothing else. use premium gas for towing but most people use regular for daily driving from reading.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

For what your use case is, I'd recommend the larger 6.2 liter motor.

 

[Micahsd]

I’d prob go with the diesel model.

Premium is “recommended” in the 6.2 unless they changed the wording for 2025 in the manual and not “required” so you can run regular in it although the computer will adjust the timing and such and not run at its fullest without Premium. When you look in the manual on some other GM vehicles, such as the Cadilac CT5 with the supercharged V6, it shows "Required" in there for Premium gas.

I think there's about a 1 MPG difference between the 5.3 and 6.2. I've got the 5.3 on my '21 Premiere and when not pulling a trailer I get about 19-21 MPG at 70 MPH and 23 MPG at 55 MPH. In town gas mileage is terrible as it's more like 13-16 MPG. If you do mostly highway travel, the diesel option would be the better option for mileage.

 

[bryan8252]

May be worth waiting to March 03. 2025 Duramax order bank opens. Pulled 4000lbs travel trailer with the 5.3. found it underwelming to me.

The GMC sales manager I spoke with today said he wouldn't be able to order me a Yukon XL diesel until May. I hope you are correct with order banks opening in March.

 

[pa31p]

That date was posted on GM Authority this week.

 

[Stbentoak]

So, we seriously can't even put in an order for a diesel till March 2025? Pitiful... I was thinking of possibly ordering in January. Anything else under constraint beyond March that people may want?

 

[A320Guy]

Why would you not consider a diesel? It has every advantage over both of those engines. especially in the towing department which you anticipate. There is no downside....

I like working on my vehicles and I don’t have any diesel experience. That and my wife hates the sound of the diesel.

 

[jgraves]

i`m overall quite happy with my 6.2 and reasonably happy towing a 4500 pound, 7x14 cargo trailer with it (several 1500km days). I don't think a could say the same for the 5.3, having previously towed other trailers with the 5.3 in a Sierra. That said, I do miss my 2500 Sierra with the 6.6 diesel on the big towing days.

 

[jerry455]

I have a 6.2 in my 2021 Suburban and tow a 26-foot 5,500 lb. travel trailer. It tows fantastic. I have no problem using premium as all of our vehicles require premium, 2017 Camaro SS and my 1976 Pontiac Firebird. I like diesels but worry about all of the emissions devices and their longevity and diesel price is close to premium plus DEF.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Many have said the DEF consumption of the 3L duramax is pretty high under towing loads, just something to consider. I love towing w/ the 6.2. Had 5.3 in all my previous rides. Never going back.

 

[Stbentoak]

I like working on my vehicles and I don’t have any diesel experience. That and my wife hates the sound of the diesel.

This isn't a 1960's John Deere tractor. When I tell people mine's a diesel... They can't believe it or believe there is such a thing as a diesel Yukon.

 

[jforb]

I get just a tad over 10 mpg towing a 22' airstream behind the 2022 Tahoe with 5.3. It has enough power, but it sure sucks fuel. I wished I'd had the patience to get a diesel.

 

[Padraig]

This isn't a 1960's John Deere tractor. When I tell people mine's a diesel... They can't believe it or believe there is such a thing as a diesel Yukon.

When I fill up at a truck stop, the big rig guys are surprised that there is such a thing as a diesel Suburban.

Padraig

 

[mp5pdw]

I just ordered a High Country with the 6.2 because the additional expense of the diesel, the def, water separator and othe maintenance required for that motor

 

[GoNoGo]

OP,, you know the 6.2 requires the more expensive premium gasoline (5.3 does not)

I’ve had both a duramax and a 6.2 L 2023’s Suburban’s side by side under the carport and the 6.2 is quicker off the line and from a rolling “punch it”.

Duramax carried me 600 miles while the 6.2 carried me 360-ish miles F to E driving the exact same country roads and hwy’s

Can you guess which one is parked in my carport today ?

 

[Stbentoak]

OP,, you know the 6.2 requires the more expensive premium gasoline (5.3 does not)

I’ve had both a duramax and a 6.2 L 2023’s Suburban’s side by side under the carport and the 6.2 is quicker off the line and from a rolling “punch it”.

Duramax carried me 600 miles while the 6.2 carried me 360-ish miles F to E driving the exact same country roads and hwy’s

Can you guess which one is parked in my carport today ?

You got that right; I can't believe what a big deal people make out of what they think is such huge maintenance with a diesel. I can promise you it doesn't take me 10% more time or effort of any gas vehicle I have ever owned. The benefits far far outweigh the very little bit more of work you have to do.... I don't know who brainwashed all these people. I don't even look under the hood of mine for months at a time. Never uses a drop of oil, Can change the oil in 30 min or less with a drain valve, and maybe take 20 min to change the fuel filter every 30K. Diesel IS more expensive than RUL now, sadly.. But you go 40% further on it and it sure isn't cheaper than premium. I can go 3 weeks on a tank, and I run around a lot. But to each, their own.....

 

[WVBKW]

I have two 2024 Tahoes. 1 with 5.3 the other a 6.2. They are identical otherwise. Both z71, airride.

1. Towing - air ride is a must. Don't think you don't need it. It helps in every possible way.
2. If towing 6.2 or Diesel. Honestly around town the 6.2 just costs more because you have to run 93 octane. Otherwise there isn't a huge difference, but there is when towing. I am picking up my 2025 Tahoe z71 later today. I ordered it with the 5.3 due to the reason I just stated. I have a 3500 Sierra I use when I tow, so in my case I didn't need the 6.2. If i could have ordered the diesel I would have, as I like diesel engines.