Ride Quality and Vibration Yukon/Tahoe

[atc1989]

Hi all. I've currently got a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it is smooth as glass on the highway. No vibrations whatsoever.

 

My vehicle before that was a 2013 Tahoe LT. That thing vibrated all the time. New tires, new shocks, nothing fixed the problem. Bothered me so much I got rid of it for the Jeep. I've always assumed it was the drive line.

 

My question here is, how is the ride quality on the new 15 Tahoe/Yukons? I am very particular about ride quality, so any vibration will bother me to no end. I'm interested in all opinions, standard and magnetic suspensions as well. Btw, I have test driven a Yukon SLT and a Tahoe LT, but not long enough to really be able to decern road imperfections with vibrations.

 

Thanks all.

AC

[atc1989]

One more note. I have seen a lot on vibrations in the 2014 Silverado/Sierra, so that concerns me.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

I can't say for an SUV but my '14 Silverado rides like a Cadi, still does after 10,500 miles. You can't go just by a forum because 3/4 million of the Silverado and Sierras were sold last year and I doubt all of them are on here. All you can do is go test drive one and make sure to try it at different speeds including the interstate.

[The Zip]

I have a 2015 LT with Premium Ride Suspension (standard as you put it), no vibration. I complained to the dealer that my suspension was too spongy and wanted it tightened, better be careful what I ask for 'cause some SUV drivers with Magnetic Ride Suspension say it's too stiff. When I push down on my bumper, the truck bounces a couple of times before settling in. I'm just used to when I press on my bumper the truck having a controlled recoil. I can live with it, just a personal preference. Ride quality, the previous 2 generations doesn't stack-up.

[DreamCadi]

2015 Cadillac Escalade with magneride and it vibrates uncomfortably. test drive one on a cement road in the city, its horrible. I read these are new shock design and i have to say Id rather have a little more softness to smooth out the vibrations, even the corvette community is complaining that these new shocks are too harsh. I have 2 settings and they are harsh and harsher but either we need another setting or different shocks its horrible but test drive on your own... you'll see

[Wrench589]

We have a 2015 Yukon XL Denali with 22" wheel tire option. Absolutely we have vibration. Frankly, I am disappointed with the ride on this vehicle. It is nothing like the GM advertising. My 2011 Ford F350 Super Duty with Diesel engine totally blows it away for ride being smooth as glass on the highway and infinitely more quiet from road noise.

 

Summary on the Yukon is there is a harshness to the ride that transmits every bump, crack, tar strip or piece of gravel up into the vehicle and you feel it and hear it. Now, the active noise cancelling might actually be making things worse in that is does take away a fair bit of wind noise and so other, random noises can be heard better. But still, noise is not what you are asking about (read the thread on Noise in the Cabin for that!).

 

And I have a definite vibration, most felt in the steering wheel. Again, worse then my other vehicles by far. It's much worse in 4 w auto than in 2 WD. The dealer has already done a bunch of stuff (Roadforce balancing, checking driveshaft runout, checking differential gear backlash, etc) but nothing improved. For the kind of money we paid, it should at least be as good as the Ford 1 ton, you'd think!

 

If you are considering a Tahoe or Yukon, you better check out the Noise in the Cabin thread. If vibration bothers you, I would assume so does noise. And some of these are big time noise buckets. If you are happy with your Grand Cherokee, KEEP IT!

 

Best of luck!

[atc1989]

Thanks all for the replies. I totally agree I need to go do an extended test drive to really make my own decision. My issue is what if I test drive one that's smooth, but then order one that ends up being a washing machine on the road? Lots of time wasted there for sure. It seems like, based on a wide range of opinions on this issue, that some trucks vibrate, and some don't.

 

Also, I have read every post over on the buffeting thread. I am in 100% belief that the buffeting sensation's root cause is a vibration originating from somewhere in the driveline, exhaserbated by other various inputs such as ANC. That thread appears to be headed in that direction based on recent posts pertaining to shock replacement. Even shock replacement seems like a bandaid to me, though, because shocks will only curb vibration, not cause vibration, meaning there is still something on the truck (ie driveline) that is actually causing the vibration.

 

Anyway, when I get a chance to go rent a Tahoe/Yukon or take one for an extended test drive, I will let you know what I think. Again, I am very picky when it comes to ride quality, so any vibration will literally drive me nuts. Especially in a $60k+ vehicle.

 

Thanks.

AC

[atc1989]

Also...small sample size I know...but so far on this thread those with Magnetic suspension have vibration, those with conventional suspension, no vibration.

[Wrench589]

Also...small sample size I know...but so far on this thread those with Magnetic suspension have vibration, those with conventional suspension, no vibration.

 

If you're referring to this thread alone, may be the case. Not sure about the "Noise in Cabin" thread. But, if you look over at the pickup thread on vibration, there in an order of magnitude more posts and views on the topic of vibration in this new platform, and as far as I know, "Magnetic Ride" suspension (ie electricnically controlled shocks) is not available on any of the pickups. Something to consider.

 

I would definitely stay away from factory ordering. The only possible way to reduce the chance of getting a bad one is to test drive the heck out of it before purchase. While you can still do that with a factory order before you actually buy it, do you really want to wait months and months just to find out it vibrates or makes noise? Then what? Order another one and wait? I guess if you're in no hurry then that would work. I know my wife would have killed me if I would have turned it down after waiting 4 months for it to show up!

[Yukon15]

I don't know if you are still checking this thread but I have a yukon SLT a I have not noticed any vibrations when driving in the city or on the highway. The noise in the cabin does seem quite a bit louder on the highway vs my '04 Lexus which I traded in for the Yukon. I have had other issues with this Yukon though that GM seems to lack a fix for so I'm not entirely happy with this vehicle. If I could do it again, I would request an extended test drive or bought the Expedition instead.

[mundfund]

I was contemplating a Yukon or Tahoe... thought I would check a few posts. I have test driven (2) premium packaged High Country Silverado's ... TERRIBLE VIBRATION. Take a look, up to 353 pages of posts on this one particular thread.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153186-shake-or-vibration-issues/page-353

 

 

I am not expecting my test drive for the Yukon to be much better. Sad, always been a GM man, GM family!

 

$50,000 - $70,000 for Issues. GM is becoming a HUGE disappointment!!!

[Anzir]

This is my first large SUV and I'm used to driving sport sedans. Overall the ride is tight, like a BMW. I have driven the previous generation Yukon and thought it was too "float"y. I prefer this suspension.

 

But my truck's (15 Denali XL) Achilles heel is rough pavement. Definitely feel it and hear it in the cabin.

[The Zip]

 

 

I am not expecting my test drive for the Yukon to be much better. $50,000 - $70,000 for Issues.

For that much money, your expectation should be high. First year of a new gen is usually the test case. Test drive the '16 model, I think they may be out.

 

 

This is my first large SUV....... Overall the ride is tight, like a BMW.

I think BMW passenger SUVs only goes as large as the X5, too small of a truck to make that type of comparison with your XL. But the 15 is a superior ride (if you can find one without shaking and vibration problems) when compared to the previous 14 years of GM fullsize SUVs.

[Carlos Melich]

Hopefully this thread isn't completely dead. I purchased a 2018 Yukon XL 3 weeks ago and i feel a vibration that won't go away. I've taken the vehicle to the dealer twice, 1st time the wheels were not balance, the 2nd they said a road force balance was performed and they don't feel a vibration. They also didn't take the vehicle passed 45 MPH when i said i start feeling after 45 mph and it becomes more pronounced at higher speeds. Here in Florida the average Highway speed is between 65-70 mph.. 

 

Hopefully someone has some info to help with since I've read prior issues with Silverado's but don't see much about Yukon's/