2018 GMC Yukon Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

The Yukon Denali now comes with a 10-speed transmissionPart of the fourth Yukon generation introduced for 2015

　　The 2018 GMC Yukon occupies what little space there is between the related Chevrolet Tahoe and the Cadillac Escalade. Though less premium than the Escalade, it does offer a few more luxuries and features than the Tahoe.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 GMC Yukon SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$198/mo  for Yukon SLE

　　Yukon SLE

　　SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $49,080 MSRPSLE 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $52,080 MSRPSLT Standard Edition 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $54,400 MSRPSLT Standard Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $57,400 MSRPSLT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $57,130 MSRPSLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $60,130 MSRPDenali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $66,165 MSRPDenali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $69,165 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Like its siblings, the Yukon offers available seating for nine and an impressive towing capacity. You also get plenty of standard equipment. However, the Yukon's road manners and cargo utility aren't up to par, and its elevated price point (compared to the Tahoe) pits it against some more luxurious vehicles.

　　Buyers who demand the towing capacity of a body-on-frame SUV should take a look at the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Both promise impressive capability but with more utility and comfort than the Yukon.

　　Those who need three rows but are willing to sacrifice towing capacity have quite a few options. The Audi Q7 has excellent driving dynamics and lots of advanced technology options. The Acura MDX is similarly well-behaved on the road and offers plenty of luxury trimmings. The price of the top trim Yukon Denali even makes a competitor of the entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLS Class, which makes up what it lacks in content with a much more upscale interior and refined driving experience.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Not many vehicles can carry nine people or tow more than 8,000 pounds, but the 2018 GMC Yukon is just such a vehicle. Beyond these particular talents, though, the Yukon has some shortcomings that might be too much for some buyers.

　　

Driving

　　The base V8 feels strong, but only if you really stomp on the gas. Otherwise, the Yukon's sluggish throttle response and soft brake pedal make for a disconnected driving experience. Maneuverability in tight spaces is also an issue.

　　

Comfort

　　The cabin is impressively quiet, and the front seats provide all-day comfort. The base suspension manages sharp impacts well, but surprisingly small road imperfections tend to give the cockpit the shakes. The powerful air conditioning has no issue regulating cabin temperatures.

　　

Interior

　　The controls are easy to find and use. The big doors, side steps and grab handles mean entry and exit is relatively easy for such a tall vehicle. There's plenty of room for the first two rows, but the third row has a high floor and lacks legroom compared to smaller competitors.

　　

Utility

　　An impressive maximum tow rating of 8,400 pounds and plenty of small-item storage in the cabin are definite strengths. But the cargo area has a high floor that makes loading and unloading difficult, and storage space behind the third row lags behind competitors, even significantly smaller ones.

　　

Technology

　　Even the base Yukon comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 4G hotspot with Wi-Fi. The GMC infotainment system is also generally easy to use. There are plenty of safety features, and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are available.

　　

Which Yukon does zzdcar recommend?

　　Unless seating for nine people is a necessity, we recommend the SLT trim. This trim level's tilt-and-telescoping wheel and power-adjustable pedals mean the vehicle can accommodate more comfortable driving positions for most buyers. It also adds some useful features such as power-folding second- and third-row seats, a hands-free liftgate and proximity entry with push-button start.

　　

2018 GMC Yukon models

　　The 2018 GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV offered in SLE, SLT and Denali trim levels. Most Yukons seat eight passengers, but an optional front bench seat on the SLE trim increases the capacity to nine. Second-row bucket seats are available on the SLT trim and standard on the Denali; they reduce passenger capacity to seven.

　　GMC offers two different engines based on trim level. SLE and SLT models come with a 5.3-liter V8 engine that produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive is available with a single-speed transfer case that is optional for all trims, and a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing is available. The Yukon Denali is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with a new 10-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. The optional four-wheel drive includes a standard two-speed transfer case.

　　Standard features for the SLE trim include 18-inch wheels, heated mirrors, foglights, side steps, roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, cruise control, remote keyless entry and ignition, and a trailer hitch receiver with a wiring harness.

　　On the inside, you get tri-zone automatic climate control, front bucket seats (with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat), 60/40-split folding second- and third-row seats, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, a teen-driver monitoring system, OnStar communications (including a 4G LTE connection and a Wi-Fi hotspot), a 110-volt household power outlet, Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, five USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose nine-speaker audio system with a CD player and satellite radio.

　　The optional Enhanced Driver Alert package adds forward collision warning with low-speed automatic braking, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning and intervention. The Convenience package adds a power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals and a universal garage door opener.

　　The SLT trim includes all of the above, along with a hands-free liftgate, power-folding mirrors, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, a heated and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, driver-seat memory functions and a wireless charging pad.

　　The top-of-the-line Denali trim adds the larger engine and 10-speed transmission, 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, adaptive suspension dampers, a trailer brake controller, a head-up display, active noise cancellation, second-row bucket seats, a navigation system and a 10-speaker surround-sound system.

　　Some features on higher-trimmed models are available on supporting models at additional cost. Optional features for SLE and SLT trims include 22-inch wheels and an HD Trailering package (unique axle ratio, trailer brake controller and a self-leveling suspension). The SLT and Denali are eligible for a sunroof, adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Denali also offers power-retractable side steps and adaptive cruise control.

　　

2018 Yukon Highlights

Trim: SLESLT Standard EditionSLTDenaliSLE

　　

Base MSRP	$49,080
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles