Just wanted to add my 2 cents from a recent rental
I just picked up one of these from OKC. Having rented the previous versions of the yukon, suburban, etc I can say this is a nice upgrade. The car felt old. I'd always get in one and look at the tag and be like "This is a 2014?"
The first thing I noticed while driving was how much quieter it is over te previous models. To the point that when I called my wife noticed when I called her. Usually its difficult to have a decent conversation while on the highway.
As for the drive, I think it handles much better than the older models. Maybe it's me but I definitely felt it was more responsive. But in the end it is a box on wheels so I don't have the highest expectations either
Anyways I agree with the shifter being in the column is archaic. Even the expedition has a center shifter and that vehicle is in need of a facelift as well.
There were two things I was excited about. 1) I had factory Nav with the LT trim. Not sure if this is new or not but if this continues, I'll keep looking for these. 2) The seat vibrates when you get close to something. It startled me at first until I realized what it was doing.
I'd also add that the cargo space seems less. I don't typically haul gear while traveling, but I think the cargo space is smaller since the seats fold flat.
Overall - I'll definitely rent again if I can find one.
-A