GMC Yukon

The two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon ranks five out of six Large SUVs.

The GMC Yukon gets high scores and a high ranking in the puny – but fierce – large SUV class. Its strong spectacle and attractive interior keep it ranked above most other options.

Pros & Cons

• Decent power
• Stellar fuel economy for the class
• Premium interior materials
• Large cargo hold in XL trim

• Slow-to-shift six-speed transmission
• Limited cargo space in non-XL models

Notable for 2017

• Forward collision warning system now includes low-speed automatic braking
• Ventilated seats substitute cooled seats
• Head-up display now standard in Denali trim

GMC Yukon Rankings and Research

The two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon ranking is based on its score within the Large SUVs category. Presently the GMC Yukon has a score of 7.9 out of ten which is based on our evaluation of nineteen chunks of research and data elements using various sources.

Scorecard

Rankings

• # five in Large SUVs
• # eighteen in SUVs with three Rows

Awards

2017 GMC Yukon Pictures

Exterior Photos See More

2017 GMC Yukon Review

• Utter Review
• Photos
• Prices
• Specs
• Spectacle
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability

The GMC Yukon gets high scores and a high ranking in the puny – but fierce – large SUV class. Its strong spectacle and attractive interior keep it ranked above most other options.

Is the GMC Yukon a Good SUV?

The GMC Yukon is a fine large SUV. However, like most truck-based vehicles, the large Yukon can be cumbersome and difficult to drive. This is especially true in taut situations like parking lots, and even more so if you aren`t used to driving these types of vehicles. Fortunately, the Yukon can help you feel more secure with its abundance of driver assistance features, like a standard rearview camera and rear parking sensors, as well as available adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. These features coupled with class-leading fuel economy and a luxury-level interior make the Yukon a fine option.

Should I Buy the GMC Yukon?

The main benefits of buying a large truck-based SUV like the Yukon over a car-based midsize SUV like the GMC Acadia are its enlargened towing capacity and four-wheel drive. The Yukon has a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, which is more than dual the towing capacity of most midsize SUVs. Four-wheel drive is particularly useful during off-road excursions, while all-wheel drive isn`t as helpful when traveling off the hammered path. With that being said, if you don`t need enlargened towing capacity or off-road capabilities, you are most likely better off with something other than the Yukon. There are slew of midsize SUVs that give you phenomenal cargo space and seating for up to seven, as well as driving characteristics and maneuverability like that of a car. Most also suggest all-wheel drive, providing you slew of traction in poor weather conditions. Ultimately, while every option in the large SUV class starts close to or above $45,000, you can get into a comparable 3-row midsize SUV for about $30,000.

If you absolutely need the towing capacity the Yukon offers, it is a fine buy in this class. But if you don`t, your dollar will open up exponentially further in a different class of SUVs.

We Did the Research for You: nineteen Chunks of Data Analyzed

Our team is dedicated to helping you determine if the two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon should be your next fresh SUV purchase. To do this, we`ve analyzed nineteen lumps of research about the Yukon, including crash test scores, reliability ratings, and opinions from many professional automotive journalists.

The GMC Yukon was fully redesigned for the two thousand fifteen model year and sees no major switches for 2017. As a result, this overview compiles applicable research and reviews from the two thousand fifteen through two thousand seventeen model years into one comprehensive review. You can use this information to learn all about the Yukon and how it compares to other SUVs in its class, and then determine if it is the best SUV for you.

Why You Can Trust Us

At U.S. News & World Report, we`ve been ranking and reviewing cars and trucks for close to a decade, with a staff that has seventy five years of combined practice in the automotive industry. Our aim is to help you make one of the thickest purchase decisions of your life with ease and confidence. You should also know that we do not accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and the advertising on our site is treated by a third party.

How Much Does the GMC Yukon Cost?

The two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon starts at a $48,530 price for its base SLE trim. The midlevel SLT trim starts at $57,315, and the top-tier Denali starts at $65,965. The SLE and SLT trims come standard with a Five.3-liter V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Denali comes standard with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All three trims come with standard rear-wheel drive, but four-wheel drive is available in any trim level for an extra $Trio,000. You can also get any trim level in the extended-wheelbase XL bod style for an extra $Two,700. A Yukon XL Denali starts at almost $70,000.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for fine savings at your local GMC dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our GMC deals page.

GMC Yukon Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: GMC Yukon or GMC Acadia?

If you truly need the amount of space and the towing capacity a truck like the Yukon offers, you will not be sated with the two thousand seventeen GMC Acadia. But if you don`t routinely pack in 90-plus cubic feet of cargo or tow a pony trailer or mighty boat, save twenty grand and get the Acadia.

Highlighting only a few differences inbetween the Yukon and redesigned two thousand seventeen GMC Acadia can be difficult since these vehicles share little more than a badge. The Acadia is a midsize SUV and dramatically smaller than the Yukon. For example, the Acadia only offers seventy nine cubic feet of total cargo space, while the Yukon offers 94.7, an extra 15.7 cubes. The Acadia can only seat up to seven people, while you can pack up to nine in the Yukon. The Acadia has either a four-cylinder base engine or a larger V6 available, while the Yukon has two different V8s available. The truck-based Yukon can also tow up to 8,500 pounds, while the car-based Acadia can tow only Four,000 pounds. The base model Acadia costs $29,070, while a base model Yukon is almost $20,000 more.

The car-based Acadia is much nimbler and lighter to drive that the truck-based Yukon. The lighter and smaller Acadia can navigate parking lots and other taut driving situations much better than the Yukon. Additionally, the Acadia gets much higher fuel economy estimates than the Yukon. Its ratings of twenty one mpg in the city and twenty six mpg on the highway with the base four-cylinder engine surpass the base Yukon`s sixteen mpg in the city and twenty three on the highway. However, the Acadia`s available V6 engine hauls these numbers down further, to Legal/25 mpg city/highway.

Which Is Better: GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Tahoe?

The Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe are the same SUV, for all intents and purposes; both companies are possessed by General Motors, both trucks are built on the same platform, and both share identical interior dimensions. The main differences inbetween the two come down to available figure styles and price. The Yukon has an extra, larger engine option in its top-tier Denali trim that is not suggested in the Tahoe.

The Yukon also offers an extended-wheelbase model that increases passenger and cargo space. The Tahoe is only produced in a single assets style, tho’ the larger Chevy Suburban is identical to the long-wheelbase GMC Yukon XL. The Yukon also offers a slightly upgraded interior over the Tahoe, with features like a Bose sound system. This raises the Yukon`s price above the Tahoe`s. The base model Tahoe costs $47,215, which is $1,315 less than the base Yukon. If you know you want the standard-wheelbase model, the Tahoe is a better buy. It costs less and has a history of higher reliability ratings than the Yukon, and you aren`t likely to notice the few, minor differences in the cabin.

Which Is Better: GMC Yukon or Ford Expedition?

The main differences inbetween the Yukon and the Ford Expedition are interior space, fuel economy, and price. The Expedition will give you more space for your passengers, with 160.Trio cubic feet of total passenger volume and 168.Trio cubic feet in the extended-wheelbase EL model. The Yukon will only give you 120.8 cubic feet in the standard model and 122.Four cubic feet in the XL. The Expedition also has more cargo room, with 108.Trio cubic feet of total available cargo space in the standard model and 130.8 cubic feet in the EL. The Yukon only gives you 94.7 cubic feet of total available cargo space in the standard model and 121.1 cubic feet in the XL.

The Expedition also suffers when it comes to fuel economy. However no large SUV is particularly efficient, the Yukon does boast a class-leading 16/23 mpg city/highway with the base engine, regardless of bod style. The base Expedition gets 15/21 mpg, and the EL version gets a little less at 15/20 mpg. Your wallet will bear the brunt of this difference, as it will cost you $1,850 per year to pack up your base Yukon or Yukon XL, versus $1,950 per year to pack up a base Expedition and $Two,100 to pack up the Expedition EL.

Even however it might cost you more to put gas in the Expedition`s tank, it won`t cost you almost as much as an initial purchase. The base Expedition starts at $47,125, which is $1,405 less than the Yukon. A base Expedition EL starts below $50,000, while a base Yukon XL starts at $51,230.

Inbetween these two, it comes down to what is more significant to you. The Expedition is the clear choice if you want more space for less money, but the trade-off is worse fuel economy. If class-leading fuel economy is a must-have, the Yukon will serve you better, but at the expense of interior space.

Yukon Interior

How Many People Does the Yukon Seat?

Standard Yukon models have seating for eight, but you can go up or down one seat. With captain`s chairs in the 2nd row, seating drops to seven. If you opt for a bench seat in the very first row and keep the bench seat in the 2nd row, the Yukon can carry up to nine passengers.

With power-adjustable front seats, most should be able to find a comfy seating position. However, the lack of a telescoping wheel in the base model means some drivers may have trouble. In the 2nd row, passengers have slew of head- and legroom.

In non-XL Yukons, third-row legroom comes up brief. At just 24.8 inches, children should be fine, but you wouldn`t want to put any adults back there. If you upgrade to the Yukon XL, third-row legroom increases by about ten inches to 34.Five, permitting adults to fit more cozily.

The Chevy Tahoe can also be configured to seat nine passengers. However, its third row is among the least accommodating, providing the same 24.8 inches of legroom – one of the smallest numbers in the class – as its corporate cousin. Tho’ the Tahoe does not come in an extended-wheelbase version like the Yukon, the larger Chevy Suburban is a twin of the Yukon XL. The Ford Expedition also boasts available seating for nine, without the third-row issues of the Tahoe. With 37.7 inches of legroom in the standard Expedition and the long-wheelbase model, you should hear few complaints from your third-row occupants.

Yukon and Car Seats

The Yukon has two finish sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the second-row outboard seats. The second-row middle seat and all seats in the third row have only tether anchors. The lower anchors are effortless to find and connect to, as are the top tether anchors. In seats that lack lower anchors, car seats can still be installed using a seat belt, however this does make installation of a car seat more difficult.

The Chevy Tahoe has the same LATCH setup as the Yukon, while the Ford Expedition also has two accomplish sets of LATCH connectors in the 2nd row, but just a single upper tether in the middle seat of the third row.

Yukon Interior Quality

Inwards the Yukon, GMC`s use of wood grain trim and soft-touch materials complement its decidedly upmarket design. The Yukon covers most surfaces in plush, soft-touch materials paired with other high-class finishes like wood grain trim. The cabin of the top-tier Yukon Denali trim could lightly be mistaken for a Cadillac Escalade. The Chevy Tahoe has a similarly upscale interior. The Expedition does not draw the same comparisons. Its cabin makes liberal use of hard plastics and other materials that make it look and feel much more down-market than it is.

Still, all three options, as well as most other large SUVs, have upscale interiors that you will be glad to spend time in.

Yukon Cargo Space

The Yukon`s 15.3-cubic-foot cargo hold behind the third row is among the smallest in the class. Fold the third-row seats down to permit 51.7 cubic feet, which expands to 94.7 cubic feet by folding down the 2nd row. For more space, the Yukon XL gives you 39.Three cubic feet with all seats in use. With the third and 2nd rows down, cargo capacity expands to 76.7 and 121.7 cubic feet, respectively. Here`s an idea of how much space is available in the Yukon and the XL: If you were renovating your kitchen and needed to pick up your appliances, you could theoretically fit the fridge and microwave in the back of the Yukon. In the XL, you could even throw in the kitchen submerge.

The Yukon`s third-row seats fold electronically into the floor, but they cut down on available space. Also, the high cargo floor means loading bulkier objects will be a chore for shorter folks, since they`ll have to lift a bit higher to get those items in the back. The Yukon`s cargo management system permits you to hide your belongings under the cargo floor.

The Ford Expedition gives you a bit more space, with Legal.6 cubic feet behind the third row, fifty five cubic feet behind the 2nd row, and 108.Three cubic feet with all three rows down. Its long-wheelbase model, the Expedition EL, also gives you more space than the Yukon XL, with 42.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 85.Five cubic feet behind the 2nd row, and 130.8 cubic feet with all three rows folded.

The Chevy Tahoe matches the Yukon`s cargo dimensions, but it lacks an extended-wheelbase model, making its available cargo capacity the smallest among these options. However, the larger Chevy Suburban matches the Yukon XL for cargo space and functionality.

Yukon Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

GMC`s IntelliLink infotainment system works intuitively with an uncomplicated touch-screen user interface. However, it can sometimes be sluggish when responding to user inputs – especially voice directives. You can pair your phone via Bluetooth to make phone calls and stream music. The Chevy Tahoe has an identical setup, with the same strengths and weaknesses. The Ford Expedition benefits from the excellent SYNC three infotainment system. While not as visually enticing as the system in the Tahoe and Yukon, it is utterly intuitive and user-friendly. All three options suggest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Yukon Spectacle

Yukon Engine: Strong Standard V8

With its standard V8 engine, the Yukon has three hundred fifty five horsepower. The Yukon has no trouble getting up to speed. When it`s total of passengers and cargo, it doesn`t feel taxed by the extra weight. Passing, merging, and climbing hills is not a problem, even in the extended-wheelbase Yukon XL. Even when shoved to its boundaries, the Yukon maintains a quiet rail on the highway.

For more power, look to the GMC Yukon Denali, which boasts a larger V8 engine and sixty five more horsepower. The increase in power translates to quicker acceleration for overtaking other cars. If you want more power in other large SUVs, good luck. The Yukon is the only vehicle in its class that offers extra power through an optional engine. Even the Chevy Tahoe, which shares the same platform, doesn`t suggest this alternative.

Models tooled with the smaller V8 come with a six-speed automatic transmission. In the Yukon Denali, the larger V8 is paired with an eight-speed automatic. While there are no complaints about the eight-speed transmission, the six-speed automatic suffers from late shifts, made worse by the timid throttle response of the base V8. Albeit the engine has the power needed to get up and go, the transmission takes a 2nd or two to realize when you need extra pep.

The Tahoe has the same Five.3-liter V8 engine in the Yukon, meaning its spectacle characteristics are the same. The Ford Expedition has a Three.5-liter EcoBoost (turbocharged) V6, which is unusual for this class. This engine has no trouble getting up to speed and is slew powerful to stir the Expedition along.

All three SUVs have strong engines that will suit most drivers.

Yukon Gas Mileage: Class-Leading Fuel Economy

The Yukon, with its Five.3-liter V8 engine and rear-wheel drive, will get you sixteen mpg in the city and twenty three mpg on the highway, which are the best estimates in the class. Four-wheel drive drops these numbers slightly to 15/22 mpg city/highway. The larger 6.2-liter V8 engine with rear-wheel drive will only diminish fuel economy by one mpg to 15/22 mpg, while four-wheel drive will drop it to 15/20 mpg.

The Chevy Tahoe also receives 16/23 mpg city/highway when tooled with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive lowers these estimates by one mpg to 16/22 mpg city/highway.

The Ford Expedition sits in the middle of the class, with 15/21 mpg city/highway with rear-wheel drive and 15/20 mpg with four-wheel drive. Its long-wheelbase EL model lowers these estimates slightly to 15/20 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 15/Nineteen mpg with four-wheel drive. The Yukon XL manages to maintain the fuel economy estimates of its standard-wheelbase brother, with the exception of the larger 6.2-liter V8 with four-wheel drive, which gets 14/20 mpg city/highway.

Albeit the Yukon`s fuel economy estimates are good for the class, it`s no fuel sipper. Compared to the average fresh vehicle, you will spend $Two,500 more in fuel costs over five years with both the base Yukon and base Tahoe. You`ll spend $Three,000 more than average with a base Expedition over five years.

If you are looking for better fuel economy or a hybrid powertrain, you are out of luck in this class. If you are willing to look toward the luxury large SUV class, you can get a Land Rover Range Rover with a diesel engine which will net you twenty two mpg in the city and twenty eight on the highway. The luxury midsize SUV class has some other options as well, like the Volvo XC90, which comebacks 22/26 mpg city/highway with its gas-only engine and a combined fifty four mpg-e as a plug-in hybrid.

If you want a large-and-in-charge SUV, but also good fuel economy, you`ll have to get a little creative about how to get there.

Yukon Rail and Treating: It`s No Canyon Carver

Truck-based SUVs like the Yukon typically suffer from ponderous treating and cumbersome maneuverability. However, considering its truck roots, the Yukon treats and rails well. While not as poised as smaller crossover SUVs that drive like a car, it takes twisting turns fairly well for a vehicle of its size. Steering response is suitable, and the Yukon`s bod is rigid enough to feel composed when cornering. Brakes provide excellent feedback as well. These characteristics are applicable to both the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition.

Yukon Off-Road Spectacle

Albeit the Yukon isn`t considered an off-roader, its available four-wheel-drive system is fairly capable. If you find yourself needing to veer off the hammered path, you won`t have trouble getting through slush or mud. Just don`t take it on the Rubicon Trail. The Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition also have available four-wheel drive and will carry you through most road conditions with ease.

To learn more about the differences inbetween all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, read All-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel Drive: Which Is Right for You?

Yukon Towing Capacity

The maximum towing capacity is 8,500 pounds with non-XL Yukons and 8,300 pounds with extended-wheelbase XL models. This means the Yukon can treat many boat trailers without cracking a sweat.

The Chevy Tahoe bests the Yukon`s maximum towing capacity by one hundred pounds, making its 8,600-pound tow rating one of the highest in the class. In fact, only the Ford Expedition can tow more, with a 9,200-pound maximum.

Yukon Reliability

Is the GMC Yukon Reliable?

J.D. Power and Associates gives the two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon Two.Five out of five in predicted reliability, which is below-average. GMC`s brand dependability rating is above average, however.

The two thousand seventeen Chevy Tahoe receives Trio.Five for reliability, which is above average. Chevrolet is also one of the highest-rated brands for dependability. The two thousand seventeen Ford Expedition also receives Three.Five, which is above-average. Ford`s brand dependability is below average as well.

GMC Yukon Warranty

The two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon has a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is the same warranty available on every car in this class.

A longer, best-in-class five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty are available for all Hyundai and Kia vehicles, however neither company suggest a large SUV comparable to the Yukon.

Yukon Safety

Yukon Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon four out of five starlets for overall safety. While the regular Yukon receives five starlets for its front crash test rating, the XL only receives four starlets. The Chevy Tahoe also receives a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a five-star rating in front crash testing. The Ford Expedition bests both competitors with a five-star overall safety rating. It is the only option in the class with this rating.

No model year of the Yukon, Tahoe, or Expedition has been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Yukon Safety Features

Standard safety features include a rearview camera with integrated front and rear parking sensors. Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. There`s also GM`s Safety Alert Seat, which produces haptic feedback (stimulations) through the driver`s seat to supplement other safety features, like forward collision warning. With the exception of the Safety Alert Seat, most of these features are widely available in the Yukon`s competition.

These same features, including the Safety Alert Seat, are available in the Chevy Tahoe. On the roll side, the Ford Expedition only offers front parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot detection, along with the standard rearview camera and rear parking sensors. It lacks some more upscale features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, which are available in the Tahoe and Yukon.

Which GMC Yukon Model Is Right for Me?

The base Yukon SLE ($48,530) is exceptionally well-equipped and should serve the needs of most drivers in this class. Features like tri-zone automatic climate control, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, and remote commence are upscale and welcome for a base model in this class. You can also add extra safety features, like pre-collision braking, GM`s Safety Alert Seat, and lane keep assist for only $545. The standard and available features list does not switch if you choose the extended-wheelbase or four-wheel-drive models.

A GMC Yukon 4WD costs an extra $Three,000 with any trim level. If you`d like any of the three trims in the extended-wheelbase XL figure style, it`s an extra $Two,700.

GMC Yukon SLE

The GMC Yukon`s base model, the SLE ($48,530), comes standard with tri-zone automatic climate control, remote embark, front and rear parking sensors, power-adjustable front seats, and a rearview camera. Also, the standard IntelliLink infotainment system features an 8-inch touch screen, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, Bluetooth for phone calls and streaming audio, satellite radio, HD Radio, USB and auxiliary ports, OnStar with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Available features in the SLE include forward collision alert – with new-for-2017 low-speed automatic braking – lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a power liftgate, and GM`s Safety Alert Seat, which gives audible alerts and haptic feedback through the driver`s seat for other advanced safety feature notifications.

GMC Yukon SLT

Commencing at $57,315, SLT models add mostly seating features: heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, and power-folding third-row seats. Wireless phone charging, a hands-free power liftgate, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring also come standard. Options include second-row captain`s chairs, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, navigation, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

GMC Yukon Denali

The crème de la crème of the Yukon lineup, the GMC Yukon Denali, adds second-row captain`s chairs, navigation, and a 10-speaker Bose surround sound audio system. A head-up display and a power sunroof are some of the optional features in the Denali. Yukon Denali models embark at $65,965.

Who Makes the GMC Yukon?

The Yukon is made by GMC, which is a truck and SUV division of General Motors. GM is an American company headquartered in the United States. GM`s other domestic holdings include Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Buick, as well as many international holdings. The Yukon is built in the United States.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for fine savings at your local GMC dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our GMC deals page.

The Final Call

Overall, the GMC Yukon is an excellent large SUV. It has a good amount of passenger and cargo space, as well as upscale features and cabin finishes. However, if you aren`t interested in the extended-wheelbase XL model, the mechanically identical Chevy Tahoe is a good way to get essentially the same SUV for less money. If you need more space and a higher towing capacity, the Ford Expedition is a fine option as well. But if you realize you don`t need the capabilities that a truck-based SUV offers, there are slew of midsize SUVs that will carry you, your family, and all your stuff securely and cozily, for a lot less money.

Don`t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• “Unlike most modern SUVs, the two thousand seventeen GMC Yukon is a truck-based vehicle that’s capable of towing strenuous geysers and tackling off-road trails. Those same traits make it less than ideal as a daily driver, however, so shoppers should consider their priorities cautiously.” — Edmunds
• “Despite the numerous choices in the expanding midsize-crossover-SUV field, there will always be strong request for a full-size vehicle such as the two thousand sixteen GMC Yukon. For sheer passenger space (it can seat up to nine), cargo volume and towing capability, many Americans simply can’t forgo what the Yukon and the spread Yukon XL are serving up.” — Autotrader (2016)
• “If you need no-compromises hauling and towing capability, along with a no-compromises, first-rate interior, the two thousand fifteen GMC Yukon and Yukon XL are just the ticket. That goes dual for the high-end Denali models.” — Kelley Blue Book (2015)

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