I am trying to get some good reviews on the differences between the Suburban and Denali XL as it pertains to towing with the engine and 4WD/AWD...

Currently in a 07 Suburban LTZ with towing and 4wd, have also installed a cold air filter. My main tow worth mentioning is a 26" Boat that weighs about 6,500 lbs loaded with trailer. I don't offroad much over the occasional venture through some agricultural lands that aren't too challenging. I do like the 4wd when it is a torrential down poor in Florida though.

Towing?

I can currently tow my boat just fine, although I feel the engine working on the bigger bridges, and definitely don't have a significant pick up for passing or maneuvering around the typical inconsiderate idiot drivers. The cold air filter helped, but would still like more HP.

I am considering going to the 6.2 liter, as I have heard it makes life much easier and has relatively the same MPG as my 5.3 due to having the 6 speed tranny as opposed to my 4.

4WD vs AWD?

I really like the selectable 4WD version I have, but if I go with the bigger engine, it sounds like my only option is the AWD. I know my 4wd minimizes turning radius, but is it the same for the AWD?

I think when it comes to off roading, rain, and slippery ramps that I do, either would work. The question is, will the turning radius and MPG be affected significantly if I can't go down to 2WD on sunny dry daily commuting?


Thanks for any input!

 

I would do a little checking to see what some of the maintenance cost are for servicing the 2 systems...I don't know enough about them to say but cost of service could be a factor down the line....if money is no object, I'd go with the GMC....

 

I know tires will be eaten up faster on the awd. But I don't know about the rest. So far I haven't had any issues with my 4wd.

I had the 100k bumper to bumper extended warranty on my current truck. Will definitely do that again, so hopefully that minimizes maintenance costs.

I hope to get info on the difference in towing. Obviously the 6.2 is much more powerful, although they have bumped up the hp by about 35 on the newer models. So I am looking at between 35 and 100 hp bump.

 

4wd vs awd there is no turning radius difference. if your referring to the bind up that occurs on dry pavement in a 4wd system...that is normal, the system is a part time 4wd system that shouldn't be used on dry pavement. the only thing that changes turning radius is wheelbase and the racks steering angle.


As for towing capacity and longevity, awd vs 4wd...I would like to know that also

 

That makes sense. It just makes such a grinding sound when I turn the wheels, I assumed it was a limitation on however the front wheels were engaged. Never hear it in the grass and dirt though as I recall.

My main worry about the turning radius is due to my 30' boat trailer. Maneuvering it with a Suburban is hard enough. But so long as the turning radius is still as good as the current model, I will be just fine.

 

AWD has 3 diffs. Middle, front, and rear. 4WD only has two, Front and rear. AWD power is sent at different levels to front and rear. In AWD 2 tires on the same side can turn, unlike 4wd. 4WD you have 50/50 distribution. 50$ always to the front and 50% always to the rear. Our friends 07 Denali with AWD gets stuck much easier than our 4WD 07 Suburban...

But you are in FL, not NY and off roading... We had 2wd Suburban in TX for 8 years, never had a prob with only 2wd in rain...

Also, why you don't hear the binding in grass is because, its grass, tires slip much easier on grass and dirt than dry pavement. The grass allows the tires to slip and not bind up and ruin the transfer case like pavement...

I would go AWD Denali XL in your situation... (personally, I will NEVER buy another gm ever again!)

 

Great info. Thanks Joe. I have also heard that the AWD responds faster that the Auto 4wd when it comes to rain or slippery dirt. I guess it is the led foot I have that makes my father's 08 LTZ 2wd feel slippery when accelerating in the rain. I just like the confidence that my truck is going to track and not be slow when I put the gas on. Slippery ramps also make it nice to have the traction too.

And no mountains here in FL, so I don't have to worry about real 4wd capabilities, and the suburban/xl isn't made for big rocks anyway. I got stuck on my frame on a sand dune in my old 01 Yukon xl 2wd. 4wd/Awd would've helped, and is why I have stuck with it.

 

I have never bothered leaving it in auto, wish it wasn't there. The quickest way to get it to switch for me is 10 mph or faster in Neutral and then switch to 2wd or 4wd.