Hey guys, I thought you'd find this back and forth conversation interesting. It was on Facebook this morning. A viewer reached out to me to share his buying dilemma. I'll admit I'm not so up on my comparisons between $100k+ SUVs.
Hello Tim!
Love your material! Fellow Nebraskan. Seems like you’ve drove them all. I have a specific question for you if you don’t mind giving your input?
Currently have a 2024 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label. Had a 2020 L Black Label as well so obviously I have liked them. Always preferred them to the Cadillac looks wise and seat comfort wise. Not as garish and in your face as Escalade. I have an order in for the 2025 Black Label L … white w tan interior with the black top package (like the Range Rover). $132k
I like the new lux features etc and the massage seats are the best in the full size imho. The RSES is awful from what I hear. I’m very concerned about the ride on the 24s without air suspension as my 2024 is already a bit choppy around town without air suspension. I also don’t like that they’re selling it as all new when it’s really a heavy, heavy refresh. I do like the new tailgate feature.
Enter the 2025 refresh of the GMC Yukon XL Denali ultimate. Love the idea of being able to have the diesel (have a ram EcoDiesel for ranch work now) and a lot of the nicer features that make it a bit nicer. Rides better w 24s on air suspension. Looks a bit manlier and aggressive than the Navi (although I love the black w the white top). A bit more cargo space than the Navigator L too and like having the pass through in second row. Wish 3rd row reclined like Nav but oh well. Stereo won’t be as good. But getting rear view mirror camera, night vision and air suspension over the Navigator. I’m worried I’ll miss the more comfortable seats and more lux nature in the Navigator. And also the dealer experience. I still worry a bit about the LZO reliability … the 3.5 ecoboost has been rock steady. Any opinions or thoughts you’d care to share? So dumb to get worked up over this decision
Keep putting out great material!
My response:
I'm a big fan of the new Yukon XL. The seats are a HUGE upgrade. Much more comfortable. That was the BIG knock on GM. The diesel is great and you'll love the fuel economy improvement. From 22 hwy to 27. That's a big deal in my book. And the Duramax does real-world 27 without any games like coasting or laying off the gas pedal. My Silverado with the diesel was a MPG king. Just incredible. You'll miss the dealership experience. Zero question there. For ride quality, frankly, I can't really tell a difference between the upper level GM magna ride vs air suspension. I'm sure there is a specific instance it makes a difference, but I can't find one. Hope that helps.
That helps a lot! Thank you so much!I feel like I’m ready to try the diesels and GMC again. And have a more truck like experience and even though the Denali Ultimate is super nice, I’d feel less bad with the kids trashing it
I like the console on the Lincoln but the pass thru works better when taking kids and their friends honestly. They don’t have patience for the seats to move. Rear heated seats in Nav a nice option though. And the recline back there. If I didn’t order the Nav the way I did I don’t think could get one … all those rims and trims don’t look good to me besides the 24” black rims and that interior and exterior combo. I was told the exec seat package on Yukon Ultimate not available in XL for 2025 so hope that changes for the 2026. Also that new white is replacing the tri coat white. Likely more white and less cream. I did think about the AT4 ultimate as I like that black interior the best of them all but I think I want the larger rims and not the all terrain tires and willing to sacrifice with the brown interior.
Good luck. Send me a pic when you get it.
Will do. Likely will be a 2026 as those order banks open here soon. Who knows how long to get an allocation, etc.Likely going with the new white w 25 anniversary package as I like the black 24s if it’s still offered. Otherwise if too creamy I’ll stick with Summit White. Looks good w black accents I think.Thought about sterling metallic but don’t love the brown interior with that exterior.
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What would you have said differently or added that I missed?
Hello Tim!
Love your material! Fellow Nebraskan. Seems like you’ve drove them all. I have a specific question for you if you don’t mind giving your input?
Currently have a 2024 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label. Had a 2020 L Black Label as well so obviously I have liked them. Always preferred them to the Cadillac looks wise and seat comfort wise. Not as garish and in your face as Escalade. I have an order in for the 2025 Black Label L … white w tan interior with the black top package (like the Range Rover). $132k
Enter the 2025 refresh of the GMC Yukon XL Denali ultimate. Love the idea of being able to have the diesel (have a ram EcoDiesel for ranch work now) and a lot of the nicer features that make it a bit nicer. Rides better w 24s on air suspension. Looks a bit manlier and aggressive than the Navi (although I love the black w the white top). A bit more cargo space than the Navigator L too and like having the pass through in second row. Wish 3rd row reclined like Nav but oh well. Stereo won’t be as good. But getting rear view mirror camera, night vision and air suspension over the Navigator. I’m worried I’ll miss the more comfortable seats and more lux nature in the Navigator. And also the dealer experience. I still worry a bit about the LZO reliability … the 3.5 ecoboost has been rock steady. Any opinions or thoughts you’d care to share? So dumb to get worked up over this decision
My response:
I'm a big fan of the new Yukon XL. The seats are a HUGE upgrade. Much more comfortable. That was the BIG knock on GM. The diesel is great and you'll love the fuel economy improvement. From 22 hwy to 27. That's a big deal in my book. And the Duramax does real-world 27 without any games like coasting or laying off the gas pedal. My Silverado with the diesel was a MPG king. Just incredible. You'll miss the dealership experience. Zero question there. For ride quality, frankly, I can't really tell a difference between the upper level GM magna ride vs air suspension. I'm sure there is a specific instance it makes a difference, but I can't find one. Hope that helps.
That helps a lot! Thank you so much!I feel like I’m ready to try the diesels and GMC again. And have a more truck like experience and even though the Denali Ultimate is super nice, I’d feel less bad with the kids trashing it
Good luck. Send me a pic when you get it.
Will do. Likely will be a 2026 as those order banks open here soon. Who knows how long to get an allocation, etc.Likely going with the new white w 25 anniversary package as I like the black 24s if it’s still offered. Otherwise if too creamy I’ll stick with Summit White. Looks good w black accents I think.Thought about sterling metallic but don’t love the brown interior with that exterior.
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What would you have said differently or added that I missed?
