Suburban LTZ vs Denali XL

[handfulz28]

The Sub is 4wd, Denali is AWD, both 2008s. I know the Denali has the 6.2L/6spd auto vs the 'burb's 5.3L/4spd but I'm more trying to decide on the 4wd vs AWD. Is the AWD still a viscous transfer case and open front diff? Anybody share experience where they ended up with just one front wheel spinning?

And what about the 4spd vs 6spd? There's a 2009 'burb LTZ that I could go for but it doesn't have the NAV/rear cam and 2nd row bench that i'm looking for. But 2009 got the 6spd trans, and I could probably add the electronics for less than I could do the trans.

Appreciate the feedback.

Thanks,
Michael

[soldier4402]

price and miles would play big for me. Is towing a factor or not. If your going a little heavier then go the denali. The 5.3 will be better gas though

[cigrocket]

Here goes my real world experience. I had an escalade ext with AWD. I put 108,000 miles on it and never had any problems, it does however eat gas with the AWD always being engaged. It was good in the snow, and I live in Upstate NY.

I just bought a Avalanche LTZ. It has the 6 speed, it shifts very smooth and I love it. It also does great on gas compared to what I used to get on the escalade.

The Avalanche on the Highway tends to get 20-21 MPG and about 16 in Town.

The Escalade, no matter how I drove it got 13.5MPG.

Good Luck they are both great trucks and you can't go wrong.

[cigrocket]

By the way if you are looking to tow, I don't have any experience with the trucks. I tow the Top Gun with a Dually

[handfulz28]

Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.

[soldier4402]

Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.

we dont have these but we have a jeeep which is that auto 4wd which is kind of like AWD but kind of not and I guess saves gas. But I hate it.

[cigrocket]

After haing both, I like to be able to shift into 4wd and 4wd low when I need it. AWD is great for daily drivers who know nothing. Just my 2 cents. Even in the North East, I seldom use 4 wheel drive. No need to have AWD and all of the components spinning all the time. I like the front end look of the LTZ over the Denali but that is also opinion.

Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.

[Knot 4 Me]

Thanks cigrocket, that's good real world MPG I'm looking for. Was there ever a time you wished for real 4wd instead of AWD? Do you recall which axle ratio you had?

Not worried about heavy towing, more on putting 20-25k miles a year, and perhaps driving in snow/ice. Price and mileage are pretty much the same.

I've owned both and prefer the electronic shiftable 4WD over the the Denali's AWD. Best I ever got highway with my Denali XL was 15.8 MPG. All around driving it was always in the 12's.

[turbo rr]

Remember with the AWD there is usually no 4WD Low.

[jwurl]

The 6.2 has a bunch of power. Gets up and goes for an SUV but the gas mileage is terrible. I put 100k on a 5.3 and never once had a problem with it. We need to know what kind of weight you will be towing? Jeff Wurl