2009 GMC Yukon Review

PROS  Lots of passenger and cargo room, Plenty of features and luxury, Ample towing capacity

CONS  High step in, Poor fuel economy, Expensive

General Motors is reorganizing Buick, Pontiac, and GMC dealerships into single stores--or points as they are called within the auto industry. Combining the three brands into single points will allow each to focus on defining its identity while still allowing the dealership to sell a full line of vehicles. Buick will focus on selling premium cars, Pontiac will sell performance cars and GMC will focus on upscale SUVs. That should suit GMC quite well as many GM brands have been cannibalizing sales from GMC by offering their own premium SUVs.

The Yukon is GMC's entry into the large SUV market. It shares chassis and engines with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. Yukon comes in two sizes. The standard model has a 116-inch wheelbase and the extended model has a 130-inch wheelbase. Both seat up to eight passengers. Yukon competes with vehicles like the Audi Q7, HUMMER H2, Infiniti QX56, Lexus LX 570, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Four trim levels are offered, SLE, SLT, Denali, and Hybrid. All have a V8 engine and are available with rear- or four-wheel drive. Rear-drive Yukon SLE comes standard with a 295-horsepower 4.8-liter V8. Yukon XL and SLT models get a 310-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. Optional on the XL SLT is a 6.0-liver V8 that makes 366 horsepower. Denali models come with a 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. Hybrids have a 6.0-liter V8 that teams with twin electric motors to produce an estimated 332 horsepower. The 5.3- and 6.0-liter V8 engines come with cylinder deactivation. This allows the engine to run in four-cylinder mode when cruising and coasting to save fuel. The 4.8-liter and Hybrid get a four-speed automatic. All other engines mate to a six-speed automatic.

Antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, and dual-front and curtain-side airbags with rollover deployment are standard on all models. Rear park assist is optional on the SLE and standard on other models. A rear-view camera comes with the available navigation system. Blind-spot alert is optional on Denali. Side airbags are not offered.

The SLE starts at $37,205 and comes standard with air conditioning with dual-zone manual climate controls, rear air conditioning and heater, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, OnStar assistance with one year service, cloth upholstery, front split bench seat, six-way power driver seat, second-row split bench seat, third-row three-passenger split-folding seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone link, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper-washer, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, roof rails, side steps, platform-hitch receiver, seven-wire harness, full-size spare tire, 265/70R17 tires, and alloy wheels

SLT models start at $42,845 and add tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), leather upholstery, front bucket seats, six-way power passenger seat, center console, power-adjustable pedals, Bose AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer, rear radio controls, remote engine start, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, fog lights, roof rack, and front tow hooks.

Denali prices start at $49,635. It adds to SLT h eated power-tilt steering wheel, heated front- and second-row bucket seats, 12-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment, driver-seat memory, power-release folding second-row seats, automatic day/night and tilt-down back-up aid mirrors with turn-signal indicators, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer fluid, outside-temperature indicator, compass, power liftgate, automatic shock absorber control, load-leveling suspension, 275/55R20 tires, chrome alloy wheels,

Hybrid models start at $50,920 and add to SLE tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), leather upholstery, heated six-way power front bucket seats, center console, power-adjustable pedals, navigation system with voice recognition and traffic information, rear-view camera, Bose sound system, rear radio controls, driver-side automatic day/night and passenger-side tilt-down back-up aid mirrors with turn signal indicators, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, remote engine start, 115-volt power outlet, and 265/65R18 tires.

Options include sunroof, off-road suspension package, and trailering package. All models come with a $950 destination charge and are manufactured in either Arlington, Texas or Janesville, Wisconsin.

Get Up and Go  Yukon's 5.3-liter engine pumps out 310 horsepower and a whopping 335 pounds-feet of torque. That's more than enough to motivate the standard Yukon's 5500 pounds. Sure a full load of passengers of cargo is going to slow the pace a bit, but the optional V8 is up to just about any task owners might throw at it.

In addition, the engine produces power over a broad range, giving it good off-the-line scoot and above-average passing power. Despite it's overhead-valve design, it's as smooth and refined as any overhead cam engine on the market.

Complementing the engine is a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. It boasts smooth and seamless upshifts and crisp downshifts. The transmission also has nicely spaced gears that make the most of the engine's torque. Unusual to the class is a toggle switch on the shifter that allows drivers to manually manipulate the gears. This feature comes in handy when towing or pulling a boat out of the water.

Though Yukon's four-wheel drive system includes a low range, it's not an off road champ. While better than competitors that offer light-duty all-wheel drive systems, the Yukon is just too large and heavy to feel comfortable on tough trails. However, the four-wheel-drive system works very well when called upon to add additional traction in low-speed hauling situations. In addition, there's an auto mode that is great for use in rain or snow.

As you might expect, Yukon's fuel economy numbers are less than stellar. Still, it is one of the most fuel efficient large SUVs. EPA numbers for the four-wheel drive Yukon SLT are 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Those numbers are slightly better than class competitors from Infiniti, Lexus and Lincoln.

Given a light throttle foot and some open-road highway time, drivers can expect to average close to the 20 mpg that's advertised. However, if your commute features lots of stop-and-go city driving or you plan to pull a trailer, 15 mpg is a lot more likely. Thankfully, the 5.3-liter runs just fine on regular-grade gasoline.
 
On the Road  Despite its truck-like origins, Yukon's ride is very comfortable and controlled. There's a slight extra bit of rebound on bumpy roads that can annoy, but otherwise Yukon, and it's General Motors stable mates, are some of the best riding large SUVs around. Longer wheelbase XL models have an even smoother ride.

Make no mistake, the Yukon, in any form, is a large vehicle. Obviously, its sheer mass and long wheelbase work against the basic roadholding principles of maneuverability and nimbleness. That said, Yukon isn't a chore to drive and seems to shrink in size as drivers spend more time behind the wheel.

The steering is nicely boosted at slow speeds and firms up on the highway. It lacks true on-center feel, but otherwise it is quite responsive and accurate. Brakes have good pedal modulation and seem to have ample stopping power.

In low-to-medium-speed lane changes, Yukon feels more confident that you'd expect, with minimal body lean and quick reactions. Step things up a notch and rear-seat passengers are likely to complain of queasiness.

Yukon isn't as quiet as the class-leading Audi Q7 or Lexus LX. There's a trifle too much wind noise from around the door mirrors and the V8 growls a bit too loudly in hard acceleration. Otherwise the Yukon cruises nearly as quietly as a luxury sedan.

Behind the Wheel  Yukon's interior is near the top of the class in terms of functionality and design. It's nicely put together with rich, soft-touch materials that aren't extravagant but more than appropriate for the price. The layout is highly functional without being basic.

Gauges are easy to read and well-illuminated at night. All major controls are within easy reach and well marked. The navigation system has large and easy-to-read buttons and simple touch-screen activation.

Front-seat occupants are treated to ample head and leg room and extremely comfortable seats. Power-adjustable pedals are standard, but the steering wheel doesn't have a telescope feature, so some driver's may find it difficult to get comfortable.

Step in is high. Thanks to the high-riding body, forward visibility is great. Large outside mirrors, blind-spot identification, and rear-view camera help shrink blind spots to the rear.

Second-row seats are also quite comfortable and offer plenty of head and leg room for large adults. Third-row seats are somewhat hard and feel three-quarter size, though they do offer enough room for an average-size adult.

Standard-length models have modest room behind the third-row seats, XL models considerably more space. Second- and third-row seats fold nearly flat, creating a long and even load floor. Interior storage is above average with lots of open and covered bins throughout the interior.

Bottom Line  Yukon is probably the best overall large SUV on the market today. It is a bit more luxurious than it's Chevrolet cousin and not as ostentatious as its companion from Cadillac. All three offer an excellent blend of comfort, power, and room.

What makes Yukon so special is that it finds a sweet spot between affordability and luxury that plays to both value- and luxury-conscious shoppers. There are plenty of model offerings and enough options to make any buyer happy.

If you are in the market for a large SUV and buy something else without first taking Yukon for a test drive, you are being foolish.