To 2018 Yukon owners, especially Denali

[corsiman]

Hi guys,

My wife has a 2004 Tahoe, and we're looking to step up to a 2018 Yukon Denali. I've been doing some preliminary research, and it seems they're getting panned for subpar braking, weak engines, as well as having vague steering/handling. Those of you with an 2018 Yukons, especially Denalis, how do they drive? Are those things actual issues, or just usual to a full size GM SUV? We're going to test drive one on Wednesday, but I want to be a little prepared.

Thanks!

 

[cardude2000]

If you’re coming from a 2004 Tahoe it’s a huge improvement save for the MRC rough ride and hard seats.

6.2 is absolutely enough engine for the yukon IMO. As for all of the other stuff, yeah. It’s a yukon/Tahoe/esky that weighs 5,000+ lbs. it’s a small school bus.

I like my Denali a lot but do your due diligence. Depending on your requirements (towing, kids etc) there are lots of meaningful alternatives out there today.

Good luck

 

[PG01]

Ive read that about the seats @cardude2000 and looking at them, even the third row, they don’t look as padded...are the reg tahoes and burbs the same or are denalis eskys worse?

 

[sickk23]

Ive read that about the seats @cardude2000 and looking at them, even the third row, they don’t look as padded...are the reg tahoes and burbs the same or are denalis eskys worse?

The third row has always been a cheap slab of cardboard although I’d say it’s better than its ever been.

Cardudes seats might be solid but my 17 and 18 are not, nor was the 18 denali I test drove. Our Grand Cherokee has stiffer seats and my X5 had faaaar more cardboard stiff seats than these suvs do now.

OP, let us know if you find a 6.2 V8 “weak”. Not sure where you’re reading that but I’ve read and watched every review out there and have never seen a complaint on that.

 

[PG01]

The third row has always been a cheap slab of cardboard although I’d say it’s better than its ever been.

Cardudes seats might be solid but my 17 and 18 are not, nor was the 18 denali I test drove. Our Grand Cherokee has stiffer seats and my X5 had faaaar more cardboard stiff seats than these suvs do now.

OP, let us know if you find a 6.2 V8 “weak”. Not sure where you’re reading that but I’ve read and watched every review out there and have never seen a complaint on that.

My ‘01 and ‘13 third row are actually comfortable to sit your ass on, just no leg room and i eat my knees, when i clean back there, i would never be a passenger in mine, or anyone else’s for that matter....

 

[sickk23]

My ‘01 and ‘13 third row are actually comfortable to sit your ass on, just no leg room and i eat my knees, when i clean back there, i would never be a passenger in mine, or anyone else’s for that matter....

Guess I’m use to the extnded length.. more legroom and the seat sits up higher.

 

[Fosscore]

My 06 Tahoe has the most comfortable seats compared to my 13 Suburban and 18 Tahoes/Suburbans that I use for work. Even my kids mention this often. Maybe it's just the leather/vinyl and/or combination of foam that is/was used. Just my .02 from driving all 3 generations each week.

I can't speak about the Denali 6.2 as I've only had experience with the Tahoe/Suburban 5.3. Having said that, I find the 5.3 peppy compared to the NBS and NNBS, brakes better, good turn radius and the technology (albeit not on par with other models on the market comparatively) updated.

 

[corsiman]

First off, you guys are awesome, thanks for all the responses!

I was reading reviews on Edmunds, and sites like that, but the problem was that they seemed to bounce around between a Denali, and an SLT. So I never could tell if they were comparing the trim levels, or other SUV's in the market segment. That's why I came here...I'm all about real world experiences and not a reviewer who drove a Miata directly before the Yukon and is subconsciously comparing them.

I'll admit, I am concerned about the seats now. I didn't know that was even an issue. But I guess time (and our butts) will tell. I'm with Fosscore on the seats tho. My wife and I both have 04's, mine it's a bench and her with the buckets, and they are comfy as hell.

Sickk23, I'll definitely post back about the motor. I was skeptical that a 6.2 was slow, but those things are huge now, so I wasn't sure what to make of that.

 

[cardude2000]

Guess I’m use to the extnded length.. more legroom and the seat sits up higher.

It’s still a nightmare back there for anything longer than 20 minutes. It’s one of the trade offs of not having an independent rear suspension.

 

[cardude2000]

First off, you guys are awesome, thanks for all the responses!

I was reading reviews on Edmunds, and sites like that, but the problem was that they seemed to bounce around between a Denali, and an SLT. So I never could tell if they were comparing the trim levels, or other SUV's in the market segment. That's why I came here...I'm all about real world experiences and not a reviewer who drove a Miata directly before the Yukon and is subconsciously comparing them.

I'll admit, I am concerned about the seats now. I didn't know that was even an issue. But I guess time (and our butts) will tell. I'm with Fosscore on the seats tho. My wife and I both have 04's, mine it's a bench and her with the buckets, and they are comfy as hell.

Sickk23, I'll definitely post back about the motor. I was skeptical that a 6.2 was slow, but those things are huge now, so I wasn't sure what to make of that.

Most reviews of the 5.3 note that it could use more power. The 6.2 reviews generally say there is enough power.

Seats comfort is subjective. I don’t have a bad back at all but an hour in my yukon and I’m uncomfortable/in pain. It’s not just that they are hard it’s that they just aren’t comfortable to me. Not so with the other loaners (terrain, Acadia etc) or rental cars I get.