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- Highs Acres of interior space, capable hauler, upscale infotainment system.
- Lows Lackluster interior materials, inhospitable third row, Denali's sky-high pricing.
- Verdict Neither as comfortable nor as luxurious as its price would suggest.
Overview
The Yukon and the long-wheelbase Yukon XL don't offer as much driving enjoyment or brand cachet as the Mercedes-Benz GLS450. Additionally, the Yukon's uninspiring interior materials raise serious questions as to its value compared with its nearly identical corporate siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Suburban. But the GMC is not without charms: There's the Corvette-derived 420-hp V-8. A 10-speed automatic pairs with that engine in a semi-successful attempt to improve its gluttonous fuel economy, but no Yukon will please environmentalists. Then there's its excellent infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. For the subset of the population whose idea of a fun time includes hauling the entire family and all their stuff up a mountain while towing a travel trailer and six kayaks, there are few alternatives.
What's New for 2019?
The 2019 Yukon and the 2019 Yukon XL receive two new special-edition packages. The Graphite Edition is available on the SLT model and includes 22-inch wheels and numerous black and body-color exterior accents. These extend to everything from the assist steps to the grille surround to the beltline molding. This package also adds an upgraded suspension. The Graphite Performance Edition (also available on the SLT model) includes the 420-hp V-8 and 10-speed automatic transmission plus adaptive dampers and a trailer-brake controller. Inside, Bose active noise cancellation helps keep the cabin quiet by cancelling out wind and road noise and the driver is treated to a head-up display. New metallic exterior colors for 2019 are Dark Sky, Pepperdust, and Smokey Quartz.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Yukon's long-wheelbase XL model is our pick, as its cavernous interior largely remedies the standard short-wheelbase version's struggle to accommodate seven passengers plus all of their luggage. We'd avoid the top Denali trim—and its expensive but not truly luxurious trimmings—and would choose the SLT, which includes heated and cooled front seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, and blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. We'd also add the Heavy Duty Trailering package to maximize towing capability. All-wheel drive costs an additional $3000.
Engine, Transmission, Performance, and Towing
Likes: Larger engine has effortless power, quiet highway cruising, can tow up to 8500 pounds.
Dislikes: Fuel-thirsty engines, fancier models ride harsher.
The Yukon's naturally aspirated V-8 engines get the job done the old-school way: with displacement. The larger, son-of-Corvette 6.2-liter is an excellent mate for this heavy SUV. An available 10-speed automatic transmission adds a dose of modernity. The Yukon's standard powertrain is a 355-hp 5.3-liter V-8 engine paired with a six-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. In the larger, heavier Yukon XL, it accelerates smoothly but unhurriedly. Either V-8 is relaxed and quiet on the highway, and both can be ordered with a selectable all-wheel-drive system. Rear-drive models can tow up to 8500 pounds, and all-wheel-drive versions are rated up to 8200 pounds.
The tall, heavy Yukon responds slowly to steering inputs, but the chassis reacts with surprising alacrity to spirited driving. The base suspension on our test truck shrugged off pavement blemishes without ever feeling flustered or unsettled, and the Yukon proved as comfortable as many a luxury sedan when wafting down the highway. We never experienced harsh impacts despite Michigan's famously pockmarked roads, but Denali models, which have standard adaptive dampers (called Magnetic Ride Control), have a much sharper, less comfortable ride. There's not a vehicle in the class that can stop on a dime, though most come to rest in similar distances. The Yukon's brake pedal feels substantial and responds in a stable, linear fashion.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
In a class where fuel efficiency is an afterthought, the Yukon employs some tricks to save gas, but its appetite for fuel remains healthy. The Yukon uses a cylinder-deactivation system that allows the engine to operate on four or all eight cylinders, depending on your need for speed; all eight cylinders are rarely employed around town. The 6.2-liter V-8 and 10-speed automatic proved to be slightly more efficient in the EPA's tests than the previous eight-speed was, but those gains didn't translate to our real-world highway test, where the new powertrain returned 20 mpg—1 mpg less than the old one.
Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo
Likes: Spacious and functional cabin, can seat nine people, terrific infotainment system.
Dislikes: Denali model fails to feel upscale, uncomfortable third row, high lift-over height.
The Yukon's interior is not lacking in features, especially in the upper trim levels. The SLE model is available with a front bench seat, which ups its capacity to nine passengers. The mid-level SLT trim adds leather, front bucket seats, and power-folding second and third rows; it can also be ordered with second-row captain's chairs. Even so, the full list doesn't add up to the sum of its parts. The interior materials and build quality don't live up to GMC's luxury aspirations or the high price on the window sticker, and the third row is tight for all but children. In both models, the high floor in the third row forces knees skyward and makes comfort impossible.
GMC's infotainment system has practically every feature available on the market and an easy-to-use interface. The navigation-equipped 8.0-inch touchscreen we tested had large, easy-to-read graphics and generous touch zones, so users won't be required to pinpoint a tiny icon while the vehicle is moving. It's as intuitive as many smartphones, and it responded quickly to our inputs. The interior has enough USB ports and other outlets to charge an army of smartphones.
The long-wheelbase Yukon XL has massive carrying capacity at only a slight cost premium. We were able to fit 13 carry-on bags behind the third row of the Yukon XL we tested, matching the number put up by a five-passenger Range Rover. The available power-folding mechanisms for the rear rows are crucial if you hope to avoid clambering into the cargo area to stow them. Front-seat passengers enjoy a center console so wide that driver and passenger will never so much as brush elbows. That console easily harbors several water bottles or a medium-size purse.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The Yukon has not been fully tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but it delivered a solid performance in its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration exam. A bevy of driver-assistance technology is standard in all but the base trim level, but at this price, we'd expect at least some of that tech to be standard across the board. Key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning and low-speed automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
GMC's warranty includes one complimentary scheduled maintenance visit within the first year of ownership. Still, it's not the best warranty coverage; other manufacturers offer longer periods of coverage when it comes to limited warranty or roadside assistance.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance covers one visit in the first year
