Review
Introduction
This is a big family in more ways than one, a line of utility vehicles (we omit the word sport , since it seems inappropriate for vehicles with minimum curb weights north of two-and-a-half tons) designed to make light of heavy loads. Riding GM’s outstanding GMT900 truck architecture, the Yukon line parallels the Chevy Tahoe range, with small differences in styling, trim, feature content, and price—the GMC offerings are slightly more expensive than their Chevy counterparts. In addition to the regular, plain ol’ Yukon, there’s the Yukon XL, GMC’s version of the Chevy Suburban, and the Yukon Denali, a loaded version of either Yukon with more muscle and upscale appointments.
The most recent addition to the Yukon lineup is a dual-mode hybrid with a gasoline-electric powertrain. Fuel economy ratings are impressive for a three-ton vehicle, particularly on the urban cycle—20 mpg city/20 highway for a four-wheel-drive model—but there’s a hefty price premium: prices start from $50,945 for the rear-drive version, $53,755 with four-wheel drive.
Aside from the hybrid, Yukon engine choices are all gasoline V-8s—no diesels: a 295-hp 4.8-liter (base Yukon); a 320-hp 5.3-liter (with cylinder deactivation and the option of an E85 flex-fuel capability); a 6.0-liter rated for 320, 352, or 366 horsepower, depending on application; and a 380-hp 6.2-liter. The base engine for the jumbo Yukon XL is the 5.3-liter V-8, but beyond that the powerplants are the same as those in the standard Yukon and Denali.
Transmission choices for nonhybrid Yukes include four- and six-speed automatics, depending on engine, and full-time four-wheel drive is among the options. Passenger capacities range from six to nine, and towing capacities range from 6000 to 8200 pounds for the Yukon, 8000 to 9700 for the Yukon XL. Muscle and mass demand feeding, and these are thirsty brutes. EPA ratings range from 14 to 21 mpg city and 18 to 22 mpg highway for the shorter Yukon, 12–14 city/17–20 highway for the XL. Be aware, however, that running E85 where possible makes these trucks even thirstier by as much as 25 percent.
Verdict
Muscle with manners: Although these full-size utes are not appropriate as commuters or suburban errand runners, if the agenda includes lots of passengers and/or heavy towing, the GMC big boys deliver style, comfort, and utility that’s tough to top.
Click here to read our full review of the GMC Yukon.
What’s New for 2008
For this year, GMC wedged the two-mode gasoline-electric hybrid model into the lineup, made StabiliTrak stability control standard on XL 2500 models, and added a rear-drive model to the Denali lineup. There are also a few new colors.
