2024 GMC Yukon
2024 GMC Yukon
2024 GMC Yukon
- Highs Plenty of third-row space, hushed cabin, surprisingly controlled ride for a big SUV.
- Lows More expensive than the very similar Chevy, even though its most efficient powertrain is a thirsty one, its size makes it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.
- VerdictWhether you need to tote the board of directors to lunch or tow a 20-foot pontoon boat, the Yukon can handle anything you throw at it with ease.
Overview
2024 GMC Yukon and the long-wheelbase Yukon XL seem very similar to the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, it’s because they are. Cut from the same giant sheet of cloth, the full-size Yukon lives as big as its Chevy counterparts, providing the same passenger and cargo hauling capabilities but designed to portray a fancier lifestyle. There are three rows of seats inside and can fit up to eight passengers. The base engine is a 355-hp V-8, but a larger 420-hp V-8 is available. For the very best fuel economy, choose the turbo-diesel inline-six with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg.
Despite its rather lux top-trim pricing, even the Denali and Denali Ultimate versions of the Yukon are no match for the opulence illustrated by the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator. The Yukon and Yukon XL instead shine in their mid-range SLT and AT4 trims as slightly elevated variants of their Chevrolet siblings, but all trims are GMC Yukon 2024 Editors’ Choice honorees.
What’s New for 2024?
The full-size GMC Yukon returns largely unchanged for 2024. We expect to see a styling refresh for the Yukon happen for the 2025 model year.
While the rough-and-tumble AT4—with its butch looks and off-road equipment—and the luxurious Denali—with its hand-stitched leather interior—seem the most compelling, the one to go for is the well-equipped and more affordable SLT. This mid-range model comes with features that most buyers are looking for, including leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate, and driver-assistance features.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Similar to the last-generation Yukon, two V-8 engines are offered: a 355-hp 5.3-liter and a 420-hp 6.2-liter. In addition to those gasoline-burning engines, GMC also offers a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that makes a whopping 460 pound-feet of torque and is the choice for buyers who intend to tow heavy items.
All models come with a 10-speed automatic transmission operated by buttons on the dashboard and offer either rear- or all-wheel drive. An off-road-oriented AT4 model is also available and features a two-speed transfer case, 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and an optional air suspension capable of offering up to two more inches of ground clearance. When we tested a loaded Denali model with the 6.2-liter V-8, we recorded a 6.0-second zero-to-60-mph time and noted significantly improved braking performance over the last generation model.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The GMC Yukon’s maximum towing capacity is 8400 pounds, but that requires a rear-wheel-drive model with the 5.3-liter V-8. The 6.2-liter Yukon’s maximum trailer rating is 8300 pounds, with the Duramax diesel not far behind at 8200 pounds. Adding four-wheel drive drops these ratings by 200 pounds across the board.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Yukon isn’t particularly fuel efficient, but it does slightly better in the city than the last generation model. Yukons equipped with the smaller 5.3-liter V-8 are the most efficient gasoline-powered models and earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. The turbo-diesel engine is predictably more efficient, earning ratings of up to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, our Denali test vehicle delivered 20 mpg. For more information about the Yukon’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Available in a variety of flavors—from base SLE spec to luxurious Denali Ultimate—the Yukon and long-wheelbase Yukon XL promise seating for up to eight passengers, although ordering the popular second-row captain’s chairs will lower the total seating capacity to seven. Denali models offer a unique interior design with a wood-trimmed dashboard and hand-stitched leather upholstery. A novel power-sliding center console is available in SLT and AT4 models (it’s standard on the Denali) and allows the driver to motor the center console back and forth over a 10-inch track to make room for bulkier first-row cargo such as a purse or backpack and stash other smaller items out of sight in hidden cubbies. 2024 GMC Yukon
Cargo capacity is generous, especially in the larger XL model, which offers a whopping 145 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with all of its seats stowed. That’s more than its cross-town rival, the Ford Expedition Max (which has 122 cubic feet behind its front row of seats). The standard-length Yukon provided enough space for six carry-on cases behind its third-row seats. With the third and second rows stowed, we fit 35.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Yukon models come with a large infotainment display with GMC’s latest infotainment interface and we’ve found the system easy to use. SLE, SLT, and AT4 models feature a display that stands tall in the center of the dashboard, but the Denali’s is surrounded by bright chrome and is embedded in the dashboard for a more sophisticated look. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard equipment; navigation and a Bose audio system are both optional features. 2024 GMC Yukon
A host of driver-assistance features are offered, but GMC only offers basic tech as standard, forcing buyers to pay extra for more advanced ones. For more information about the Yukon’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
- Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
GMC offers a warranty that’s competitive with other rivals in the full-size SUV class but doesn’t stand out in any meaningful way. The first maintenance visit is provided free of charge, but the Toyota Sequoia offers maintenance for a full two years or 25,000 miles.
- The limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- The powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance covers one visit in the first year
Specifications
2024 GMC Yukon Denali 4WD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-/4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$83,795 (base price: $72,695)
ENGINE TYPE
pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block, and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
376 in3, 6162 cm3
Power
420 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque
460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/trailing arms
Brakes (F/R): vented disc/vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02, 275/50R-22 111H M+S TPC SPEC 3156MS
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 120.9 in
Length: 210.0 in
Width: 81.0 in
Height: 76.5 in
Passenger volume: 178 ft3
Cargo volume: 26 ft3
Curb weight: 6007 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
100 mph: 15.4 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
1/4 mile: 14.5 sec @ 97 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 112 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 183 ft
Road holding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.73 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 20 mpg
Highway range: 480 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 16/14/19 mpg
