General Motors made SUV drivers pretty happy with announcing a new transmission that will be part of its most popular vehicles for 2022.
The Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Chey Suburban are getting a new ten-speed transmission. This update will take these SUVs to an entirely new performance, ability, and popularity level.
Why Transmissions Matter
You may have noticed that vehicles seem to love increasing the number of gears in their automatic transmissions. Having more gears means a couple of things. First, adding gears helps increase the vehicle’s overall efficiency. With efficiency comes lower fuel and maintenance costs, something everyone can enjoy.
The other reason more gears are great is that they help create a smoother ride. More gears mean that the engine doesn’t have to rev as much to reach the next gear. That means it’s harder to feel that change, thus making a smooth ride at every speed.
GM’s new ten-speed transmission didn’t necessarily add fresh gears, but it uses a new Vehicle Intelligence Platform that makes fine-tuning and aligning the transmission’s output easier and more efficient.
While the transmission is a critical part of your overall powertrain, it’s only as powerful as its connected engine. The new transmission now comes with the 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 engines on the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon. The 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel engine is sticking with the ten-speed transmission currently in use.
Updates Across the Board
GM’s new transmission isn’t the only fresh addition to this trio of SUVs. The Chevy Tahoe and Suburban are both getting a 12.3-inch digital instrument display that towers over the old eight-inch model. There is also now a standard built-in navigation system as part of the 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment center.
The GM Yukon is now going to combine the big V8 engine with exhaust finishers. You can also add an Enhanced Trailer Technology Package that gives you 13 cameras that provide a complete view of your ride. There is also an optional interior accessory camera if you’re using an enclosed hauler.
When it comes to safety, all three of these SUVs have some potent options. Some of the most popular options include the following:
- Lane-keeping assist
- Parking sensors
- Reverse automatic braking
- Power sliding control
- And more
It’s a Great Year for SUVs
If the upgraded transmission doesn’t sound all that exciting to you, just think of it as yet another improvement on these already amazing SUVs. GM continues to raise the bar when it comes to building efficient and smooth rides. Throw in a ton of other upgrades and improvements, and you’ll see why vehicles like the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon remain at the top of the charts.
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