GMC is a marque that is quite synonymous with its luxurious and capable trucks and SUVs and the GMC Yukon is no different. This full-size luxury SUV is available for sale at a base selling price of $56,000 and comes with everything a family buyer would require from such a proposition. The impressive list of standard features even for the base SLE trim makes it hard to ignore and the space on all three rows sees no compromises.
Coming in five trim configurations, including the newly launched Denali Ultimate trim, the 2023 GMC Yukon looks and feels worthy of its price tag. There are multiple gasoline V8 motors on offer, and you can also opt for the torquey Duramax inline-6 diesel if you intend to tow more. The feature-loaded infotainment system and classy design language come unchanged too. Competing with the Chevrolet Tahoe, Jeep Wagoneer, and Nissan Armada, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2023 GMC Yukon.
10 Superb Cabin Room
Like the Chevrolet Suburban, the 2023 GMC Yukon doesn't disappoint in terms of cabin room and cargo capacity. The front row offers top-notch headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The middle row can be had with either captain's chair or bench seat depending on the trim you opt for.
The wide armrest, easy ingress and exit, and all the relevant features also add to the comfort factor of the 2023 GMC Yukon. Even the third-row space was superior to that of the Ford Expedition Max, and it can accommodate taller folks with adequate comfort. When it comes to cargo capacity, the Yukon could take in 25.5 cu ft of cargo behind the rear seat.
9 Multiple V8 Options Are Available
Both the 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 motor and the more powerful 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine is available with the 2023 GMC Yukon. However, the latter only comes as standard with the Denali and Denali Ultimate trims and as an option with the AT4 trim. It produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and offers a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 lbs.
The 10-speed torque converter automatic transmission and RWD or 4WD drivetrains are available for all the trim configurations. If you get the base 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine rated to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, the Yukon can do the 0-60 MPH run in 7.1 seconds, making it one of the slowest of the lot. In comparison, the 6.2-liter motor could do the same run around the 6-second mark.
8 Duramax Diesel Engine Is Very Torquey
The torquey Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 diesel engine is offered as an option and is the perfect choice for those who intend to tow heavy stuff quite often. With 277 hp and a whopping 460 lb-ft of torque, the performance never feels dull with the Yukon diesel and the 10-speed automatic transmission puts the power down effectively.
Even though it might not win any race against the 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, the superb torque coupled with very low peak horsepower and torque RPM makes the 2023 GMC Yukon diesel a hoot to drive. The 4WD drivetrain is pretty capable and the Traction Select System with tow/haul also does its job well.
7 Diesel Is Pretty Fuel Efficient
The Duramax diesel that comes under the hood of the 2023 GMC Yukon is quite famous for its fuel efficiency and this 2023 model is no different. In comparison to the paltry MPG figures returned by the gasoline V8 engines, this inline-6 diesel will surely excite everyone who has high running.
It could do 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highways. This is much superior to the 5.3-liter V8 motor's 16 MPG city and 20 MPG highway rating. With a 24-gallon fuel tank capacity, the 2023 GMC Yukon diesel can do close to 650 miles on a full tank of gas.
6 Luxurious And Feature-Packed Cabin
The interior design of the 2023 GMC Yukon sees no major changes from the outgoing model year, and you are going to be pleased with the overall quality and opulence on offer. The simple dashboard design coupled with a reasonably large infotainment screen looks modern. The alpine umber full grain leather upholstery and the open-pore wood inserts which are standard for the higher trims uplift the opulence significantly.
The glass area is higher than many of the rivals and both the leather inserts on the door cards and dashboard with contrast stitching feels premium. When it comes to the features list, get the top-spec Denali Ultimate trim, and you are looking at all the cabin features like power sliding center console, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, heated second-row, dual 12.6" rear seat media touchscreen units, and a capable infotainment system. Even the lower trims come fitted with all the relevant interior techs and features.
5 Infotainment Is Perfect For A Full-Size SUV
The 10.2" touchscreen GMC Infotainment System comes as standard for all the trims of the Yukon. Being a Google-based infotainment system, it gets many features like Play Store, Google Assistant, and other Google app compatibility. The infotainment is neatly integrated into the dashboard and is one of the easier systems out there.
The connectivity and entertainment features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, USB, Bluetooth, wi-fi hotspot connectivity, and AUX inputs are standard. However, navigation and Bose audio systems are optional extras. They are well priced too.
4 Some Of The Driver-Assistance Techs Are Optional
The 2023 GMC Yukon gets a few standard driver-assistance techs like automated emergency braking, forward collision monitoring, and rear park assist. However, most of the advanced driver-assistance techs like lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are optional extras.
All the basic safety features like StabiliTrak stability and traction control system, airbags, ABS, tire pressure monitoring system, rearview camera, and OnStar and GMC Connected Services are offered. The 2023 Yukon also received an overall crash safety rating of 4-stars in the NHTSA crash test. However, both the Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada fared better here.
3 Competitive Warranty Coverage
The standard warranty offered by GMC is superior to most of the segment rivals and that does provide more confidence to the buyers. The limited warranty is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain warranty is for 5 years or 60,000 miles. There is a complimentary maintenance coverage for the first service visit as well.
However, the Toyota Sequoia offers even better complimentary maintenance coverage as it is covered for 2 years or 25,000 miles. The 2023 GMC Yukon received an overall consumer rating of 84 in the JD Power survey, which is better than most, and no recalls and complaints were reported according to the NHTSA.
2 AT4 Trim Is Capable Off-Road
The Yukon AT4 is the right choice for you if you want a full-size SUV that is very capable on-roads and off-roads. It gets an off-road-ready exterior which is highlighted by the red tow hooks, 20" 6-spoke machined aluminum, Goodyear all-terrain tires, and chunky skid plates. It also has a better approach angle of nearly 32 degrees.
Coming with the standard 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 and the optional 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8, the AT4 has more than enough torque to go through the off-road trails with ease. It can be had with the optional Air Ride Adaptive Suspension which raised the ground clearance by 2" and the standard Active Response 4WD system delivers optimal torque to each wheel. The PROGRADE Trailering System helps it to have a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 lbs as well.
1 Braking Performance Sees No Compromises
The braking hardware and performance have been significantly improved from the older generation of the Yukon and that is a plus point if you do the highway runs often. With massive 17" front and rear rotors coupled with 4-wheel ABS and DURALIFE rotors, the braking performance is top-notch.
The 70-0 MPH braking is done in 183 feet which is pretty good considering its heavy curb. All the other braking features like automated emergency braking, hill hold control, hill descent control, and ventilated front rotors are offered too.