2022 GMC Yukon XL

　　

2022 GMC Yukon XL Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　When it comes to carrying lots of people, hauling plenty of cargo, and towing a bunch of weight, nothing but a traditional full-size SUV will do. Among them, the 2022 GMC Yukon XL is one of the biggest and most accommodating, an extended version of the standard Yukon that provides more third-row seat room and additional cargo volume in exchange for small reductions in payload and towing capacity.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 GMC Yukon XL SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 10A) 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$222/mo  for Yukon XL SLE

　　Yukon XL SLE

　　SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 10A) - $54,300 MSRPSLE 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 10A) - $57,300 MSRPSLT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 10A) - $61,100 MSRPSLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 10A) - $64,100 MSRPAT4 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 10A) - $68,800 MSRPDenali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) - $72,200 MSRPDenali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $75,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　This year, the Yukon XL lineup adds a standard digital driver information display and an infotainment system with Google built-in natural voice recognition technology. GMC also makes its more powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine available with the AT4 off-road-oriented trim for 2022, swaps its former trailering app for new trailering features, and adds a new Buckle to Drive function to the SUV's Teen Driver safety technology.

　　GMC positions the Yukon XL as a premium-brand offering, which makes it more expensive than its near twin, the Chevrolet Suburban. Choosing between the GMC and Chevy comes down to personal styling preferences because the two SUVs are otherwise largely identical. However, when you get the 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali, it comes with a more upscale and sophisticated dashboard design not available in the Chevrolet.

　　Other than the Suburban, the Yukon XL's only direct competitor is the Ford Expedition Max. If you're willing to give up some interior volume, the Jeep Wagoneer is also a worthy alternative.

　　

Which Yukon XL does zzdcar recommend?

If you're not interested in saving thousands by choosing a Chevrolet Suburban, you should go ahead and get the high-luxe Denali trim of GMC's Yukon XL. It's the version that best delivers on the promise of GMC's premium positioning, including the more powerful V8 engine, bold mesh grille, exclusive dashboard design and available plush Ultimate package.

　　

GMC Yukon XL models

The 2022 GMC Yukon XL is a full-size SUV that seats seven to nine passengers in three rows of seats, depending on configuration. It is available in four trim levels: SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali. A 5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque) is standard with all but the Denali, which gets a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft). The larger V8 is an option with the AT4 trim. Additionally, a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft) is available at extra cost with the SLE and SLT trims and at a discount with the Denali trim. All engines use a 10-speed automatic transmission to power the Yukon XL's rear wheels. Four-wheel drive is optional across the entire model line except on the AT4, where it's standard.

　　SLE

　　Highlights of the base SLE trim level include:

　　18-inch aluminum wheels LED headlights, foglights and taillights Automatic high-beam headlights Rain-sensing wipers Keyless entry and ignition Remote engine start Eight-person seating configuration (2-3-3) Power-adjustable front seats Triple-zone automatic climate control 12-inch digital driver information display 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto compatibility GMC Connected Services and OnStar compatibility Satellite radio Rear-seat reminder systemAdditionally, the SLE includes GMC Pro Safety, a package of driver assist and collision avoidance features:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)GMC offers several options for the Yukon XL SLE, including:

　　GMC Pro Safety Plus package Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Max Trailering package Camera to make hitching a trailer easier Trailer brake controller (helps you adjust the brakes on your trailer) Heavy-duty engine cooling system (when combined with 3.0-liter diesel engine) Two-speed active transfer case (4WD models only) Tire pressure monitoring sensors for a trailer Nine-passenger seating configuration (3-3-3)SLT

　　The popular SLT trim level comes standard with:

　　20-inch aluminum wheels Hands-free liftgate Heated and ventilated front seats Leather upholstery Driver's seat memory settings Heated and ventilated front seats Nine-speaker Bose audio system Wireless charging pad GMC Pro Safety Plus package Safety alert seat (vibrates the driver's seat to alert the driver to safety-related warnings)A number of options are available for the SLT. Highlights include:

　　SLT Luxury package Heated, power-folding outside mirrors Steering wheel and outside mirror memory settings Power-adjustable steering wheel Heated steering wheel (delayed availability) Heated outboard second-row seats Power-folding second- and third-row seats

　　Rear pedestrian alert system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Yukon XL and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Seven-passenger seating configuration with second-row bucket seats Power panoramic sunroof Rear-seat media system Dual 12.6-inch display screens Wireless projection via Wi-Fi HDMI ports Wireless headphones AT4

　　The AT4 is the Yukon XL's off-road-oriented trim. It includes standard 4WD and these exclusive features:

　　Unique front fascia to improve the Yukon XL's approach angle Exclusive wheels with all-terrain tires Front tow hooks and skid plate Heavy-duty air filterBesides the SLT equipment, the AT4 also adds:                              

　　Adaptive suspension dampers for improved ride and handling capabilities Hill descent control Two-speed active transfer case Heated, power-folding outside mirrors Driver's seat memory settings Power-adjustable steering wheel Heated steering wheel Heated outboard second-row seats Power-folding third-row seatOptions for the AT4 include:

　　Technology package Rear pedestrian alert system Surround-view camera system (gives you a bird's-eye view of the Yukon XL for tight parking situations) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Premium Capability with Active Response 4WD package Air suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle) Electronic limited-slip differential AT4 Premium package Technology package Rear-seat media system Panoramic power sunroof Power-retractable side steps AT4 Premium Plus package AT4 Premium package Max Trailering package Premium Capability with Active Response 4WD package Max Trailering packageDenali

　　The Denali includes all non-exclusive AT4 features, though the two-speed active transfer case is reserved for 4WD models. It also includes:

　　6.2-liter V8 Exclusive exterior and interior detailing Power-sliding front center console Second-row bucket seats Technology package 14-speaker Bose surround-sound systemOptional extras for the Denali include:

　　Advanced Technology package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Yukon and the car in front) Digital rearview mirror (can display an image from the rearview camera in the mirror) Advanced security system Denali Premium package Advanced Technology package 22-inch aluminum wheels Power panoramic sunroof Power-retractable side steps Denali Ultimate package Denali Premium package Max Trailering package Rear-seat media system Air suspension (RWD models only) Premium Capability with Active Response 4WD (4WD models only) Max Trailering package Tire pressure monitoring sensors for trailer

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