Comprehensive Overview of the New GMC Yukon XL
The new GMC Yukon XL stands out with its extended size, powerful engine options, extensive safety features, and impressive cargo capacity. Designed for large families and adventurous travelers, it combines luxury, versatility, and affordability. The SUV offers spacious seating, advanced infotainment, and efficient mileage, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a spacious and reliable large SUV. With modern safety and entertainment options, the Yukon XL targets consumers who prioritize comfort and innovative features in a capable vehicle.
GMC's Yukon lineup caters to large SUV enthusiasts, with the Yukon XL designed specifically for expansive families and group travel. It offers an extended body length of 15.2 inches over the standard Yukon, ensuring ample space and comfort. Starting at $54,800, the Yukon XL is competitively priced in its segment, featuring powerful engine options like a 5.3L V8 and a 6.2L V8. This SUV emphasizes both luxury and utility, making it a versatile choice.
Safety Features
Every Yukon XL model comes equipped with six airbags, with an optional seventh when selecting bucket seats. Standard safety includes forward-collision alerts, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, rear-cross traffic alerts, parking sensors, HD rearview camera, and adaptive headlights. Premium trims add features like lane change alerts, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. Denali models feature advanced safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, and surround-view cameras.
The Yukon XL's cargo capacity is impressive, offering 41.5 cubic feet with all seats up. Folding the third row provides 93.8 cubic feet, while collapsing both second and third rows creates a massive 144.7 cubic feet of space—perfect for transporting large items. This SUV combines ample storage with the comfort of a minivan, making it ideal for family trips and cargo-heavy endeavors.
It supports up to 8 passengers, with the option of a second-row captain’s seat, or 9 passengers with the front bench seat. Its generous legroom includes 44.5 inches for the driver, 42 inches for second-row passengers, and 36.7 inches for third-row occupants. Headroom is equally generous, at 42.3, 38.9, and 38.2 inches respectively. Optional sunroofs may modestly reduce headroom but enhance the overall experience.
The vehicle’s fuel efficiency has slightly declined since GMC’s decision to remove auto start-stop features. Still, the diesel and two-wheel-drive versions provide strong mileage, with an EPA estimate of 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, averaging 23 mpg. Its 28-gallon tank supports long-distance trips with ease. Mileage varies based on drivetrain, with four-wheel-drive configurations typically offering lower fuel economy than two-wheel-drive models.
The infotainment system features a 10.2-inch touchscreen supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All models include HD radio, SD card compatibility, Bluetooth, and Google built-in. The digital instrument cluster measures 12 inches, and third-row passengers have dedicated USB ports. Sound systems range from a six-speaker setup in the SLE to a 14-speaker Bose system in Denali, with high trims offering optional wireless screens with projection and headphones for rear-seat entertainment.
