Loaded SLT vs Denali (Msrp 77 to 78k) difference

[jac1304]

Just want to check if I understand differences between the two levels.
5.3 6 speed vs 6.2 8 speed
No hud vs yes hud
Denali better suspension any notice a real world difference?
Denali badging
No hid headlights vs yes hid headlights.

Am I missing any differences? Just trying to get the price difference of 9k plus.

Thanks.

 

[robsan1]

i have orded 18 slt cannot justify xtra for 6.2 or 8 spd

 

[cardude2000]

Just want to check if I understand differences between the two levels.
5.3 6 speed vs 6.2 8 speed
No hud vs yes hud
Denali better suspension any notice a real world difference?
Denali badging
No hid headlights vs yes hid headlights.

Am I missing any differences? Just trying to get the price difference of 9k plus.

Thanks.

Engine and trans are well worth the coin. The other stuff is gravy.

 

[BlackDenaliXL]

Engine and trans are well worth the coin. The other stuff is gravy.

Agreed. I'd pony up the extra just for engine and trans combo. The 6.2l is a beast.

 

[Illnasty]

I'd pay for the extra power. The "better" suspension is actually garbage when paired with 22 inch wheels. Youll feel every nook and cranny in the road.

 

[nj16yukon]

The "better" suspension is actually garbage when paired with 22 inch wheels. Youll feel every nook and cranny in the road.

This is very subjective. I have a Denali with 22s and I've had passengers comment on the smooth ride. Some of us like the feeling of being more connected with the road. For me personally, I hate a pillowy ride where it's hard to tell when the car gets a little loose.

 

[JerryWest_44]

I looked at the same dilemma -- I went with the Denali fully loaded and love the 6.2L, 8 speed transmission.

 

[CND17 BURBAN]

I would have loved to go up to the Denali, but the price was the issue.
So I had to decide between a SLT Yukon XL or a Premier Suburban.
I ended up choosing the Premier as it had a few more options (HID, HUD, Magnetic Ride which I really like) for minimal cost.
You might want to look at that option. You get most of the options of the Denali but for the price of the SLT

 

[cardude2000]

I'd pay for the extra power. The "better" suspension is actually garbage when paired with 22 inch wheels. Youll feel every nook and cranny in the road.

Agree. Hate it. My Mercedes is 'connected' TO the road. My Denali feels like its being thrashed BY the road.

 

[GTNator]

Agree. Hate it. My Mercedes is 'connected' TO the road. My Denali feels like its being thrashed BY the road.

Interesting... I have heard of some folks putting smaller wheels on their Denali for just this reason.

 

[Illnasty]

Interesting... I have heard of some folks putting smaller wheels on their Denali for just this reason.

I thought about going to 20's but the 22's just look too damn sexy! I'm hoping for some relief when I have to replace the tires but I'll do that when they're worn, can't justify spending the money while there's still tread.

 

[Illnasty]

This is very subjective. I have a Denali with 22s and I've had passengers comment on the smooth ride. Some of us like the feeling of being more connected with the road. For me personally, I hate a pillowy ride where it's hard to tell when the car gets a little loose.

Do you have the stock tires on yours? I think it was less to do with the actual suspension and more with the low pros. Crap if I put 18's with juicy tires, it'd probably be like floating on air but would look terrible

 

[cardude2000]

Interesting... I have heard of some folks putting smaller wheels on their Denali for just this reason.

That's exactly why I ordered 20's instead of 22's. 22's are absolutely unbearable.

 

[yates ™]

Just throwing this out there, I will trade one of you my 20s for your 22s.

 

[Thundarr]

Agree. Hate it. My Mercedes is 'connected' TO the road. My Denali feels like its being thrashed BY the road.

I'm watching you guys here to do my deliberations for a loaded Tahoe vs Denali. My Mercedes GL550 has 21s and the ride is affected by the age and brand of tires. Also, I just rented an Expedition with 22s and the ride was also harsh.
Is it possible to just plus size the tires on the 22s to add some more rubber? Might need a leveling kit in the front?

 

[jeffbco]

5.3 suggests regular gas...6.2 suggests premium gas

 

[wu6fiend]

That's exactly why I ordered 20's instead of 22's. 22's are absolutely unbearable.

I don't know where you live, but the streets must be well and truly "bombed out". I have the factory 22" wheels and OEM Bridgestone tires on my 2016 Denali, and the ride is just fine, very comfortable. In fact, I noticed very little change in ride quality between my new Denali and its two predecessors (2009 and 2005), I have been completely satisfied with how all three have performed ride-quality wise. I confess I barely noticed any difference between the three, and the oldest had the factory 17" wheels, while the 2009 had 20" wheels. "Absolutely unbearable", really?!

 

[cardude2000]

I don't know where you live, but the streets must be well and truly "bombed out". I have the factory 22" wheels and OEM Bridgestone tires on my 2016 Denali, and the ride is just fine, very comfortable. In fact, I noticed very little change in ride quality between my new Denali and its two predecessors (2009 and 2005), I have been completely satisfied with how all three have performed ride-quality wise. I confess I barely noticed any difference between the three, and the oldest had the factory 17" wheels, while the 2009 had 20" wheels. "Absolutely unbearable", really?!

If you can't tell the difference between the ride in the new model and the old model (with 17's) then I'm not sure what to say.

Regardless of whether you like the ride on either model more or less than the other, it's pretty well documented that they are almost polar opposites in regard to ride stiffness, composure and road feel.

 

[wu6fiend]

If you can't tell the difference between the ride in the new model and the old model (with 17's) then I'm not sure what to say.

Regardless of whether you like the ride on either model more or less than the other, it's pretty well documented that they are almost polar opposites in regard to ride stiffness, composure and road feel.

I'm not really interested in getting into an argument, but I will say this: my "fun" car at present is a 1999 Trans Am Firehawk. That car rides HARD, and makes virtually any car seem like a luxury ride to me. I can honestly say I didn't really notice any substantive change in ride quality between my first Denali, my second, or my third. I've been happy with the way all three handle and feel on the road. My wife and I have owned 17 different vehicles (cars, trucks, cross overs) over our 10 year marriage, and each had/have their pluses and minuses. Maybe I'm just easier to please, I dunno. We test drove a Yukon XL with 20" wheels before purchasing our 2016 Yukon Denali SWB with 22" wheels, and both rode fine. I will say that if I was asked to list my "pet peeves" regarding the 2015+ Tahoe/Yukon, ride quality wouldn't even occur to me. I would start with AFM and the non-removeable third row.

 

[cardude2000]

I'm not really interested in getting into an argument, but I will say this: my "fun" car at present is a 1999 Trans Am Firehawk. That car rides HARD, and makes virtually any car seem like a luxury ride to me. I can honestly say I didn't really notice any substantive change in ride quality between my first Denali, my second, or my third. I've been happy with the way all three handle and feel on the road. My wife and I have owned 17 different vehicles (cars, trucks, cross overs) over our 10 year marriage, and each had/have their pluses and minuses. Maybe I'm just easier to please, I dunno. We test drove a Yukon XL with 20" wheels before purchasing our 2016 Yukon Denali SWB with 22" wheels, and both rode fine. I will say that if I was asked to list my "pet peeves" regarding the 2015+ Tahoe/Yukon, ride quality wouldn't even occur to me. I would start with AFM and the non-removeable third row.

Agreed, not looking to argue. It's pretty much 'settled science' at this point that the new models ride is materially different than the last generation. Frankly it's odd that you can't tell the ride difference between a yukon that was engineered in the 90's and a 2015+ but everyone is different.

Whether you are 'pleased' with the ride is obviously open for opinion and much discussion.

To me, the new generations ride is complete garbage. But some folks disagree and prefer the new thrashing ride over the old pillowy ride. I liked driving the equivalent of a powerful lazy boy recliner around town.