GM’s New Behemoths: Can the Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban Win Buyers?

People just don’t buy giant SUVs anymore. The old body-on-frame people-movers have been replaced by car-based crossovers and miniature versions of the big utes that used to rule American roads.

It’s hard to even find full-size truck-based SUVs anymore. One automaker, though, is determined to not let the big land yachts die and has released images and some specs of its next round of unapologetically large vehicles.

Pricing and full specs haven’t been released yet, but we can be sure the costs won’t decrease from the current generation’s. That means you’ll spend at least $40,000 and can easily hit $60,000 for one of these trucks. For that you’ll get either a base 5.3-liter V8 or the upgraded 6.2-liter V8 and enough room to carry a small soccer team. You’ll also be able to tow almost any boat or trailer you might ever want.

Which, honestly, is pretty much what you’d get if you bought a used ’07 rig.

While there’s no mention yet of specific gas mileage for the 2015 trucks, I’m guessing it’s not going to be enough of an improvement to justify spending over twice as much money for one of the new ones. Other improvements to the new rigs include stronger braking systems, more refined interiors and improved technology offerings. The vehicles are without question strong performers—I just struggle to see the value proposition of buying new when older ones are much less expensive.

I may be in the minority, however. General Motors says it owns 74 percent of the full-size SUV market and sold more than 125,000 of the trucks last month. That’s an impressive market share, but then again, there just isn’t much competition anymore.

I’d buy used if I needed a Suburban, Tahoe or Yukon. Would you, or do the 2015 trucks look appealing?

You can always count on the “experts” at GM to keep doing the things that landed them in bankruptcy a few years back. The government is NOT doing it’s job by exempting these hogs (trucks) from the guzzler tax and CAFE restrictions. Just yesterday my wife and I commented on the tiny 90 pound bleach blond getting into a HUGE (at least 6000 pounds, probably 7000 pounds) Escalade and driving away. (alone of course.) It’s the automotive equivalent of trying to wear a small travel trailer for clothes.