Real World info needed! Suburban/Yukon Delanli XL??

[bowtieguy79]

Looking to get back into a full size SUV again. We are looking at a 2011 left over Suburban LTZ vs a 2012 Yukon Denali XL...

What bothers me is the Denali is only $1000 more than the Suburban...but that isn't my real question.

Suburban: 5.3/6spd 3.08 Gear

Yukon Denali XL: 6.2/6spd 3.42 Gear

My 79 C-10 had a 3.07 gear in it, now granted it was powered by a 250ish Gen 1 small block, but it just didn't tow well. Did ok, but nothing like it did once I put in the 3.73.

I tow an 18ft steel deck car hauler with as much as 5k lbs on it from time to time and want the best bang for my buck.

What do you guys own, or have family who owns? I know how the NBS SUV's are, had numerous 03-06's. Also have had an 08 Silverado, so know the Gen IV stuff as well.

What am I going to like better for my towing/MPG? I know the Suburban is rated better than the YD, but I also have HP tuners........so...

The other draw back is DANGIT those Denali noses are UUUGLY!

Thoughts???

[MadManAndrew]

What are you wanting for mileage? The 5.3 will get 15mpg, the 6.2 will get 12. Take your pick.

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by MadManAndrew

What are you wanting for mileage? The 5.3 will get 15mpg, the 6.2 will get 12. Take your pick.

Must have watered down gas in Texas......
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[bowtieguy79]

Can a mod move this to corect board.... just noticed i put it the wrong spot
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[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Must have watered down gas in Texas......
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I guess, haha. Our Suburban averages 14.4mpg though. Just some food for thought.

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Can a mod move this to corect board.... just noticed i put it the wrong spot
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Thanks!
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[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Must have watered down gas in Texas......
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His numbers dont seem far off? As far as towing power, A 6.2 with lower gears will tow better than a 5.3 with higher gears.

I would go Denali just for the 6.2.

[bowtieguy79]

I'm leaning towards the Denali... Going to test drive one tonight.

[grayharville]

6.2 are nice, but I have a ccsb gmc 4x4 with the 5.3, 6 speed, and 3.08 gears and normally pull a heavy 20 foot trailer usually loaded up with a square body chevy. It does just fine.

Its all about whether or not you want the power of a 6.2, or the mileage of the 5.3. either way you'll probably be happy.

[G&R's57GMC]

The 5.3 burns 87 octane. What does the 6.2 require ?

[grayharville]

My bro in law has an 08 sierra denali with a 6.2 and he has always had to run 93 octane
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[ChevyTruckGuy]

I like the gmc nose over chevy silver.
6.2 would be nice. I have a 5.3 and its strong but like I said a 6.2 would be cool.

[Can't kech me]

for $1000 more i would go for the denali for sure!

[bowtieguy79]

We've driven both, like both, leaning towards Denali. Just have to see where the chips fall. All said and done, final deal, GMC dealer beat the Chevy dealer by $4500. Will be buying from the GMC dealer, now if we get a brand new one or a used one is out for debate.

I drove the Denali about 65 miles. Head a head wind for half my trip, averaged 16.8 running 70, and I flogged on it getting it up to speed, and kicked it down a few times on the interstate. Drove around town for a an hour or so, by that time the wind had quit blowing. My wife drove back home, she didn't flog on it like I did, but it get 19.3 mpg! So I am impressed with that.....that is what our friggen Enclave is getting...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by grayharville

My bro in law has an 08 sierra denali with a 6.2

No he doesn't. They do not "require" 92 octane.

My wife has had several Denali XL's had I have owned several 5.3 powered CC GM trucks so I feel I can offer some real world advice. The Denali XL beats any 5.3 powered hands down except mileage. It is the most well balanced GM vehicle I have ever owned and I have owned a LOT of them.

It rides like a dream, loaded or unloaded due to the load level system. Pulls a car trailer just fine, and stops it even better. It truly makes you feel like your in a much smaller vehicle when you roll hard on the throttle. Besides all that, it has one of the sweetest sounding stock exhausts I have ever heard.

When I drive it with a light foot it will gets 17mpg average. When my lead footed wife drives it that drops to 12.

[grayharville]

Hell, that's just what the salesman at hall gmc in Tyler told him, and that's what he always runs. Learn somethin new everyday.
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[N2TRUX]

I'm not saying that it doesn't benefit from premium unleaded, and that may be what the rep was referring to. Im just saying it will run just fine off of regular unleaded. My wifes 07 will smoke my 09 Sierra CC and I have never used premium unleaded.

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I'm not saying that it doesn't benefit from premium unleaded, and that may be what the rep was referring to. Im just saying it will run just fine off of regular unleaded. My wifes 07 will smoke my 09 Sierra CC and I have never used premium unleaded.

Agreed, the ECM will auto adjust tables based on a few tanks of either. Run 92 it learns, run 87 it learns, run E85, it learns.

Now your not going to get the kick from the 87 tables that the 92 tables produce, but.... its probably not that noticable.

Denali is just looking more and more desirable.

[Notch1988]

What kind of pricing are you looking at for the 2012 Yukon Denali XL? For the privilege of being a Canadian, I get an MSRP of $77K for the Denali... I think I get an SLE for the price you get a Denali for.

[bowtieguy79]

MSRP is 64k. After rebates 57k. Less supplier price 55k....... don't know why,but an LTZ burb runs same money
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[bowtieguy79]

Decided to find a gentley used burban. Few factors at play, nose on denali has a lot of bling fo a country boy, 6.2 is a beast for sure, but just can't justify the mpg difference for no more than we would tow.

Found a 2010 LTZ 28K miles priced 20k less than new. Sitting on 22s.... country boy?


Dealership just git back with it, had to stop and see it!
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