Just drive them back to back and make a decision

 

For 2017, the 4WD 5.3/8A and 6.2/8A have the same mpg rating of 15/20. 2WD 16/22 and 15/21. YRMV.

As for ride, I really can't comment as I have never driven either a Z71 or MRC suspension truck. I would imagine the Denali would ride and handle some what better under most situations. Lots of other factors impact ride quality such as wheel and tire combo's, tire pressure, weight in the bed, so on....

Like mb suggested. Take one for a spin. Report back and we'll all know :drive:

Also, how has your 2016 been. Real world mpg's? Any problems?

 

Not much.

6.2L takes premium gas vs. regular in the 5.3L.

MRC trucks will ride noticeably smoother than non-MRC trucks.

 

Premium gas! May have to rethink and look for a 5.3 in the Denali. The truck my dealer has is the 6.2. Probably should have test drove the truck while I was waiting for a oil change.

 

The 6.2 is the best Truck engine on the market today and the FE is better than the EgoBoost Ford V6.

 

Any proof to back this up? Also if you're buying a truck for fuel economy, you're a fool they are and always will be the worst fuel economy vehicle on the road by any manufacturer just by their purpose and design.

 

So now the 4X4 5.3 8 speed is rated 2 less highway than the 5.3 6 speed. So much for those 8 speeds being more efficient. I hear they are giving consumers issues too.

 

So now the 4X4 5.3 8 speed is rated 2 less highway than the 5.3 6 speed. So much for those 8 speeds being more efficient.

fueleconomy.gov

2017 Ratings Changes

EPA is updating its method for calculating the fuel economy shown on new-car window stickers starting with the 2017 model year.

EPA periodically updates its methodology to account for changes in vehicle technologies, driver behavior, and/or driving conditions. The 2008 changes (see below) were broad revisions to the entire methodology that affected every vehicle.

The 2017 change updates some of the calculations used to estimate fuel economy. The new calculations are based on test data from model year 2011–2016 vehicles. So, they better reflect today's vehicle fleet of more fuel-efficient vehicles and advanced technologies such as hybrids and turbocharged engines.

Most vehicles are not affected by the new calculations. Some fuel economy estimates will decrease by 1 mpg, and a small number may be 2 mpg lower.

 

Your right there are some issues with the 8 speeds. Unless I let my truck warm up-it seems to jump into gear. I noticed the other day-when I first started out and pushed the gas pedal it slipped between shifting. Once it gets going in the higher gears it seems to be alright. It doesn't clunk yet when shifting like some other people have experienced but its only got 6000 miles and may start later with more mileage. I heard that GM is working on a new transmission for the 2018 models and I may be better off waiting for the new model next year.

 

I would much prefer the 6.2 to the 5.3 on any truck, I really do not see much difference in the ride of my Z71, possibly because I have a 2WD. I have begun to receive e-mail quotes from GM dealers for a regular cab, I am pleasantly surprised that these prices are for more than 10K off MSRP, usually the reg. cab does not discount like the other models. This is for 2016 models, both 2WD and 4WD. Has anyone experienced the performance of the V-6, I have never owned the six in a pick-up.

 

What octane do you run in your 6.2? 89-91 or 93 What does the factory recommend? I always ran 91(usually 93) in my 2008 corvette which also had the 6.2 motor.

 

I've owned both a 2014 5.3L Denali and now a 2015 6.2L Denali. The 6.2L gets ~0.5 MPG less than the 5.3L with my 50/50 city/hwy commute (low 17's vs upper 17's). I was slightly worried at first about the MPG claims, but have been pleasantly surprised. Of course, if you have a heavy foot, YMMV. It's not hard for me to average low 16's for a tank.

 

Personally, I don't really see the need for the 6.2 ltr. The 5.3 ltr has more than enough power for most situations, and is quite happy on regular gas. The 6.2 will run fine on regular, but the computer system will reduce the max power output to compensate for the lower octane fuel.

I have a 2016 GMC 1500 crew cab SLT 6.5 bed, with the 5.3 ltr, 6 speed and 3.42 rear. I regularly tow a cargo trailer weighing 5,000 - 7,000 lbs, and occasionally tow a friend's race car trailer, that weights around 7,500-8000 lbs. The 5.3 is more than sufficient for towing either trailer, and averages 11-12 mpg towing at 70-75 mph. Normal highway driving usually returns around 22 mpg, but on a recent trip home from Watkins Glen, I averaged 24.3 on the PA Turnpike, with the cruise set at 80! Locally I get around 16.5-17 mpg.

Previously I had a 2011 Silverado 1500 extended cab LTZ, with the 5.3, 6 speed and 3.42. The Silverado got similar mileage towing, but only averaged around 15-16 locally and never broke 20 mpg on the highway. I will say that the 2016 GMC seems to ride a little harsher than my '11 Silverado, which surprised me a little, considering the longer wheelbase of the GMC. Both trucks ride on the same Goodyear Eagle LS 20's, and neither has the Z-71 package, so I'm guessing the higher tow and cargo rating of the '16 crew cab, is the main reason for the difference in ride.

The GMC's 6 speed seemed to have a few shifting issues when delivered, especially when towing, but after about a thousand miles it seemed to "learn" my driving style, and shifts fine now. My wife has a 2017 Cadillac XT5, with the front/all wheel drive version of the 8 speed. It does seem to have a few quirks, but no where near as bad as some of the stories I've heard. The interaction between the Start/Stop system, and the 8 speed, is the biggest issue I've noticed.

 

Is 89 enough octane to run in the 6.2 motors. I noticed that my gas station in town goes from 87-89-93.(no 91) Im thinking that 93 is close to 30 cents more a gallon. I always put 93 in my 6.2 liter corvette but the car didn't get drove very much and that wasn't an issue.