OK, I'm bringing back the Yukon Monday and have had some time to compare it to my 1990 Suburban. I really worked to compare it to my current 1990 rig. I understand not everyone is partial to a 1990, so some of my views may be subjective. The 2015 wins some and the 1990 wins some as you can see below:
New 2015 Wins
EXTERIOR STYLING
The 2015 had my attention from the first picture and still does. However, the same is true for my 1990, so this is a tie.
GAS MILEAGE
The 2015 Yukon shows MPG at 16/23, but after over 2,000 miles, the mileage track in the vehicle showed 14.6. But that is still better than what my 7.4 liter 454 gets on it’s best day.
BRAKING
I cannot say enough about the braking on this vehicle! It is extremely stable and gives you a great amount of confidence.
SUSPENSION
I did not think a new vehicle could beat the “Cadillac ride” of my old Suburban. It seems that every newer vehicle I have driven has the same chopping ride that fells as though you are driving a light weight toy. This Yukon has a very smooth ride, that is also exceptionally stable, and hugs the road in a remarkable way. You could not feel more comfortable and safe with this suspension.
TRANSMISSION
This 6 speed transmission is outstanding. Smooth, strong, and quick shifts. It also has the Manual “auto stick” feature which lets you do the shifting without a clutch. This is a great feature that provides the benefit of controlling your HP and torque power band by maintaining a specific a RPM range. Since the EcoTec V8 makes 383HP at 4100 RPM, this gives you the ability to run in the 4100 RPM range, whereas, the automatic transmission would shift gears prior to reaching this RPM. Since the engine does not have great get up and go, the transmission really helps out. This SUV is a fantastic freeway cruiser with the current power train. It also takes hillsbetter than most anything out there.
ELECTRONICS AND TECHOLOGY
If you like this sort of thing, then it goes without saying the 2015 wins. It has tones of plugs, and I think you may be able to use a hair dryer in the back seat with that AC plug.
My Old 1990 Wins
ACCELERATION
The 2015 engine is rated at 355 HP and 383 lb-ft of torque, but is doesn’t feel like it. My 1990 with a 454 big block rated at 260 HP blowns this away in acceleration. There is a hesitancy in the gas pedal, the Yukon just doesn’t want to go fast quickly – it wants to second guess your intent. You need to smash down the gas pedal and wait a few seconds just to get it going. Fortunately the manual transmission option on the 6 speed automatic helps out a bit with this lack of power.
WINDSHIELD/BACK WINDOWS
Why does this seem so small for such a large vehicle? Well the windshield does feel a bit like you are looking through a tunnel because the pillars are giant sized and directly in your line of sight. These pillars are filled with airbags for safety, but the sheer size as well as the unfortunate placement make them a distraction at best and reduce the driver’s visibility at worst. The windshield was a disappointment. The same goes for the rear window. Not only does in not roll down, but it is TINY. Not only is visibility compromised, but when you open it, the opening is much smaller than the window itself. You can hardly fit anything through this window. The side rear windows are also tiny and dwarfed by huge pillars. These are so ridiculously massive that you must have the largest blind spot of any vehicle on the road today. Fortunately there is a blind spot sensor, because you definitely need it.
INTERIOR
This one is going to get some argument, but I have to go with my old suburban here. Leg room in the front seats and third row seat, visibility, driving comfort and functionality win the day here. My suburban’s center console and door panel do NOT cramp your leg room like the new version. Specifically, the door panel has a section for the power windows that cuts into your left leg right below the knee. The third row seat can be utilized by a grown man in my 1990 Suburban, but this is not possible in the 2015. I can see behind me through the back window and roll it down in my 1990. The 2015 rear window does not roll down, and has very limited visibility. The 2015 has the electronics and technology, but I don’t want those anyway. Even if I did, they are readily available to install in my 1990.
TAILGATE/LIFT GATE
My 1990 suburban has an actual TAILGATE, but the 2015 does not – it has a lift gate. There is nothing like sitting on this tailgate while TAILGATING at a college football game, or watching a drive-in movie. In fact, all the kids insist on hanging out on the tailgate of my old suburban even when their parents are driving the newer Suburban with the lift gate only.
Yes, the tailgate is heavy, and harder to open or lift, and no it doesn’t automatically lift or close itself. Some people may not want truck features on a Suburban, but I am not one of them, because of my years of experience. The tailgate feature really serves you well if you UTILIZE your Sport UTILITY Vehicle for Truck applications. If you are simply running errands for groceries and flowers, then you don’t need a gate and probably should be driving a Toyota Camry anyway. If you use your vehicle to pickup stuff at Home Depot, Costco, Furniture stores, or for beach bonfires, tailgate parties, Drive-in movies, camping and real life, then a tailgate is the way to go.
COST OF MAINTAINANCE AND EASY TO WORK ON
OK, this may be somewhat subjective, since I haven’t seen the bill to fix an electronically controlled feature that used to be manually operated (like the lift gate). However, I do know the cost of rebuilding a 6 speed tranny verses a TH400 is ridiculous. Plus parts are cheap, easy to find and easy to install on an old Chevy big block.
They want $50,000 to $60,000 for the new 2015 which is something I have a hard time getting my head around. I used to say, “you want that much for a truck!?!” But I can now tell you there is not much, if any truck in this Yukon/.Suburban. I thought SUV meant UTILITY, as in, it is sometimes UTILIZED as a truck. This does not seem to be the case here. This is closer to a minivan than a truck, which is a shame for most red blooded American males who happen to be the buyers of these vehicles. Unless GM can sell out strictly with men buying these for their soccer Mom wives, I think they need the red Blooded American male market and more TRUCK in this SUV
That being said, this vehicle is a great looking, and comfortable ride. It is great around town and a perfect freeway cruiser for a family. Before I test drove it, I would have been at a dealership to buy one, if I had the money for a new vehicle instead of home remodeling. The bottom line for me after the test drive is that my existing TRUCK has a lot more to offer than I imagined. For example, the new incarnation really needs to reconsider engine options and acceleration. Why must an EcoTec be forced upon us if we want a performance option or the power of a diesel? It also needs more front seat and third row seat leg room, much better visibility and smaller pillars. Although the 2015 would be great on the regular road trips we take, it still lacks the “MUST HAVE” wow factor I thought it had, and had many more “what the heck?” issues than I thought. I will look closely at changes for 2016 and reassess.
