I am SUV shopping right now. Currently our 'family' vehicle is a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland but with two kids now it's getting a bit tight.

It's time for a full-size SUV. The three contenders are the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition (the new 2018 redesign), and the GMC Yukon Denali.

The Denali seems to be winning this race and I've honed in on one specifically that I may open discussions on with the dealership.

It's a 2017 model so it's discounted pretty heavily (the advertised price is about $10,000 off MSRP) with the 18's hitting the lots now. The only real change in models is the '18 has a 10-speed transmission to replace the outgoing 8-speed; this doesn't bother me).

Does anyone have a current-gen Yukon Denali? What are your thoughts on this vehicle? Did you cross-shop with the Tahoe and decide otherwise?

The 6.2 v8 looks pretty beastly with 420hp/460tq and seems to be reliable as well.

I usually only keep vehicles about 3 years but may go long-term with this one (of course, I always say that ).

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Did you cross-shop with the Tahoe and decide otherwise?

If you ever plan to seat actual adults in the third row, or teens, for longer than a trip around the block, the full size is the only choice. Also, if you want to have actual cargo space AND third row seating at the same time, same answer.

I've had a Suburban and Yukon XL. I've never understood the rationale for the smaller versions. Price is similar, mileage almost identical, insurance the same, only difference is consumption of garage space.

Once you have one, you'll have a hard time without!

Shorter versions turn a heck of a lot better in parking lots.

I've had both Tahoes and Yukons over the years. Both were super reliable. Tahoe I kept for almost 10 years and 280K miles. Yukon Denali was a nicer ride especially with the bigger motor. I would not hesitate to purchase either but I would likely end up with the Yukon Denali. Interior is a little nicer too.

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Shorter versions turn a heck of a lot better in parking lots.

In current version it's 19.5' vs. 21.5'. Granted two feet isn't nothing, but not a lot.

I looked back at specs of my first, a '93 Suburban. Turning circle was 48', so equates to a radius of 24 feet. Now THAT felt like a lot!

I'll be getting the standard-length model, not the extended length variants.

I know 3rd row seating / comfort takes a hit but that's okay. It'll just be the four of us (myself, wife, and two kids - 2.5 yrs and 9 mos) 99.9% of the time. The 3rd row seats will be folded flat essentially all the time, providing a lot of cargo storage. We are not having any more children.

The '18 Ford Expedition has a really roomy 3rd row (much better than Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade) on the standard-length model, which is really nice. Still, the Yukon Denali is looking more and more like the vehicle we'll select.

I am shopping the same right now.
Been hitting Denali and Escalade myself in searches. Do look at Vroom.com they have some really clean cars that wont come up in other searches.
Also, my friend has a 16 expedition and says it is a horrible pig on gas. So I am staying with the GM varients.

If I were spending Denali money I would get a Land Cruiser.
In laws had a 2015 Tahoe fully loaded and it was quite nice they upgraded to a fully loaded Suburban for the better backseat and more cargo room.

They are very nice and you can't go wrong with them but that Denali package adds big coin. And I prefer the Land Cruiser to the GMs.

Another possibility might be the Toyota Sequoia. They can be had for much less money than the full-size GM SUV's. 2018 is a minor refresh with a new interior.

We have had a few Yukon's over the years and both were like rocks...solid, few issues.

I assume they still have a full frame? One of the safer vehicles on the road too. REAL, steel frame like a P/U truck.

Was going to do another Yukon back in 2010 but ended up with a Honda Pilot. My situation had changed, not carrying as many passengers anymore, so went with the Pilot. Been very happy with it. Unhappily the current models look like mini-Vans. Still...a thought.

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Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Another possibility might be the Toyota Sequoia. They can be had for much less money than the full-size GM SUV's. 2018 is a minor refresh with a new interior.

Delani is much better than the Sequoia.
It and the Tundra need a huge refresh.

I have a 2016 Expedition Limited EL 3.5 twin turbo eco boost. Second row is captains chairs with 3rd row bench. Tons of room. I love it. Lots of power lots of room and lots of comfort. The Synch 3 technology is pretty cool.
Gas mileage isn't great but when you buy a full size suv you're not looking for a gas miser.

Denali's are nice but I think you overpay for the package. My son has a Silverado Denali 6.5 diesel. He prefers my Expedition over his Denali.

Went from GM to a new Honda Pilot which will seat 8 people. It's plenty big for us and I like it.

My good friend has a 17 Denali with the 6.2. I drove it to Florida for him last winter and averaged 18mpg and I was never much below 80. It is a beautiful vehicle and he has not had any problems with it. I love driving it and take it to get washed often and had it detailed last month.

I'd google the 8-speed if I were you, 6 or 10-speed would be my choice.

My take home GOV is a 2008 Tahoe with about 160,000 miles. It runs like a Swiss watch and is the best government vehicle I've ever had issued. I've owned several GM trucks, including a Yukon a while back and I'd be hard pressed to get something other than a Tahoe/Yukon or Suburban if I wanted a full size SUV. Before I bought my GWagen I even looked at the Mercedes GLE and GLS and as much as I liked them both if I was looking for kid and stuff hauling capacity it would be Tahoe all the way. Buy with confidence- they're probably the single best vehicles GM makes.

+1 for the Land Cruiser vs. GM

Consider used to save $$?

CarMax Used Land Cruisers

Does the 6.2L in the trucks need premium for the full hp rating? doesn't 87 octane bring the rating down?

We had a Yukon XL—we currently have a 2010 Suburban that we have had since May 2010. No major issues with either vehicle.

I was really excited to try the new Yukon XL, but unfortunately the demographic is mostly the soccer mom. The cargo end of the vehicle is smaller in every direction. The dash is now more minivan than truck.

I am hoping the 2018 Expedition remains a truck-based SUV.

We did get a Land Rover rental in error last year at Shot Show— it is quite a bit smaller inside than our 2010 Suburban.

 
You can always tell a Yukon/Yukon XL/Sierra/Tahoe/Suburban/Silverado from a distance, coming towards you. Usually only one DRL is working.
 

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Usually only one DRL is working.

Truth. I ended up replacing mine with LEDs once those became available for fitment.