The GMC Yukon XL is a long-wheelbase version of the Yukon, just as the Suburban is a long-wheelbase version of the Chevy Tahoe. XL means extra long: Yukon XL is based on the same platform as the Yukon, but it's stretched 14 inches in wheelbase and about 20 inches overall. While the Yukon can carry a lot of people or a lot of cargo, the Yukon XL can do both at the same time. The Yukon XL also offers a bigger towing capacity.
Yukon XL is conservatively styled. GMC takes a more sophisticated, more understated approach to design than Chevrolet. Still, the Yukon XL shares the unmistakable profile of the 'Burb.
Denali trades the standard Yukon XL's black grille for a bright mask of fine-metal mesh, but then swaps the base model's chrome bumpers for body-color bumpers, keeping the overall flash level about equal. Round fog lights are neatly tunneled into the lower part of Denali's unique front bumper. Cladding adorns the lower body, running down the sides and incorporating the front and rear stone guards; the Denali's cladding is oddly shaped, but blends nicely into the color-keyed running boards.
Quadrasteer does not improve the appearance of the Yukon XL, as ungainly fender flares are added to the rear quarters to accommodate the significantly wider track (the distance between the rear wheels).
Yukon XL offers a choice of liftgate or split cargo doors for the rear. The liftgate comes standard and features a glass section that opens independently. Made of lightweight aluminum, the liftgate is convenient for quickly adding and removing cargo and offers better rearward visibility than the cargo doors, which block the view in the center where the doors meet. Cargo doors work better for work vehicles as they open wide and allow a closer working position to the vehicle's storage area. Cargo doors are also useful when pulling trailers because they will usually clear the trailer tongue jack. The hinges can be released, allowing the doors to open fully when loading large items. Most people find the liftgate preferable, however. Yukon XL Denali comes only with the lift-up hatch.
for heating and air conditioning, important because the rear side windows cannot be opened. Three-point seat belts are provided and are nicely designed and easy to use. As with the other rows, the seat belts are integrated into the seats. There is a lap belt in the center of the third row, but putting three people back there is optimistic, as the third row is considerably narrower than the first two rows. Getting into the third row is a bit challenging. Third-row passengers will require assistance to get in or out as someone will have to move the second-row seats out of the way for them.
Cargo space abounds in the Yukon XL. There's 45.7 cubic feet behind the third row, which is a lot. By comparison, a standard-length Yukon or Tahoe provides just 16.3 cubic feet, while a Ford Expedition offers 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold the Yukon XL's third-row seatback down, then tumble the seat forward and you'll have a lot more storage capacity, and you can still carry four to six people, depending on the seating package. Remove the third row and put it in the garage for 90 cubic feet of cargo room. Finally, flip up the second-row seat bottoms, fold the seatback down, then flip the folding carpeted platform backward, and you're looking at a flat floor with 131.6 cubic feet of space, great for runs to the home-improvement center or big outdoor outings. This is one of the few vehicles that offers comfortable sleeping accommodations, a benefit when fatigue takes over on that long drive home after a day afield.
Yukon XL 1500 offers a smooth, comfortable ride. It's built on a rigid platform, which plays a key role in the Yukon XL's ride and handling.
The standard Premium Smooth Ride suspension in the 1500 models soaks up large potholes and rough terrain. The independent front suspension flattens the most rugged terrain, so passengers feel coddled, while the solid rear axle allows impressive towing capability. Yukon XL boasts an impressive turning radius given its mammoth proportions, useful for crowded parking lots, U-turns, and off-road driving.
AutoRide is an optional suspension package that automatically varies shock damping according to driving conditions. Whether riding empty, carrying a full load of people, or towing a horse trailer, AutoRide continually adjusts the suspension for optimum ride and handling. This technology also helps reduce dive on braking (so that the nose of the vehicle doesn't dip down unduly) and body roll (lean) during cornering.
Quadrasteer muddies this pleasant picture. A Yukon XL 2500 with Quadrasteer delivered a rough ride on I-405, a rippled, bumpy highway in Los Angeles. Quadrasteer requires heavier suspension components to support all of the extra equipment on the rear axle. Also, 2500 models come with light-truck tires, rather than passenger-car tires. Adding some heavy cargo would likely improve the ride, but we don't think we'd want to put up with the jounciness of the heavy-duty suspension on a daily basis unless we needed to tow heavy trailers. (Conversely, we enjoyed a much more pleasant ride from a GMC Sierra Denali pickup with Quadrasteer.)
Responsiveness from each of the three available V8 engines is excellent. Most people will find the standard 5.3-liter V8 a great companion. The 6.0-liter that comes on the Denali and heavy-duty 2500 models feels and sounds powerful when accelerating onto the freeway.
The transmission features a Tow/Haul mode that improves performance while towing through mountainous terrain. Pressing a switch on the end of the gearshift lever changes the shift points of the automatic transmission. The Tow/Haul mode also lessens wear on the transmission by reducing heat buildup. It does this by holding the transmission in each gear longer before up-shifting, and then shifting up more abruptly to reduce heat buildup.
The brakes work very well, with easy modulation, good pedal feel, and good stopping power, even on heavy-duty 2500 models. A dynamic proportioning system continuously balances the front and rear brakes for maximum effectiveness. The brake system was upgraded for 2003 for improved performance and pedal feel. For 2004, the system was further upgraded for improved performance in high-deceleration stops, and improved anti-lock performance; this new Hydroboost system relies on hydraulic pressure rather than engine vacuum to reduce braking pressure. Hyrdoboost brakes also require less pedal force during high-deceleration stops and improve pedal effort and "feel" during normal operation.
StabiliTrak is a valuable option that could save your life someday, or at least reduce your chance of stuffing your big Yukon XL into a ditch. StabiliTrak is an electronic anti-skid system that compares the driver's intended path with the vehicle's actual path, and adjusts engine torque and applies the brakes to any of the four individual wheels to help bring the vehicle back under control. Sophisticated sensors monitor the suspension, steering, antilock brake and traction control systems, constantly measuring steering angle, wheel speeds, brake pressure, lateral and longitudinal acceleration and yaw rate (the vehicle rotation rate, such as when cornering).
Yukon XL 4WD models use a part-time four-wheel-drive system GM calls Autotrac. Shift Autotrac into 4WD Hi, and it locks the front and rear axle speeds together, for the traditional kind of four-wheel drive that is considered best for serious off-road driving. However, pressing a button switches the system to an Auto 4WD mode that automatically shifts torque between the front and rear wheels as conditions demand, an arrangement that's good for wet pavement, gravel roads, or inconsistent conditions. A 4WD Lo setting provides an ultra-low gear for creeping through deep sand, deep mud, deep snow or up or down steep grades. Autotrac was revised for 2003 for more fuel-efficient operation in 2WD mode, and for improved feel in the Auto mode when turning corners at low speeds. Shifting among the four-wheel-drive modes is as easy as turning on the radio, and is accomplished with four buttons mounted on the left side of the instrument panel.
A locking rear differential is optional, and a good idea for heavy snow or serious off-road driving.
Denali's full-time all-wheel-drive system requires no input from the driver. It's a great system in inconsistent conditions (patches of snow and ice, gravel and pavement) because it transfers power to the wheels with the best traction.
Towing a really heavy trailer? A 1500 model is plenty for pulling a car trailer or a light boat trailer, but you may want to look at the 2500 models if you have a heavy load to pull and you pull it often. On the other hand, the 1500 model comes with torsion bars up front and coil springs in the rear, which filter road vibration much better than leaf springs in the rear of the 2500 model.
Quadrasteer ($1,995) gives the Yukon XL 2500 vastly improved maneuverability in tight quarters. By turning the rear wheels opposite the direction of the front wheels, this four-wheel-steering system reduces the curb-to-curb turning diameter from the standard 44.3 feet to 36.5 feet, an improvement of about 20 percent. That's a huge difference when maneuvering in crowded parking lots and public garages, and it allows a U-turn in places that previously required backing up. Quadrasteer becomes even more important when towing trailers. It greatly improves control when backing, eliminating trial and error runs. It also allows you to move a trailer into spots where you could not physically do so without it. It's well worth considering by anyone who frequently pulls trailers.
GMC Yukon XL is available with two-wheel drive ($37,960) or four-wheel drive ($40,660) or, in the case of the Denali, all-wheel drive.
Yukon XL comes in two load ratings: Most popular is the 1500, the standard light-duty model, rated to tow trailers up to 8400 pounds. The heavy-duty 2500 2WD ($39,460) and 2500 4WD ($42,160) are rated to pull trailers up to 12,000 pounds. Unless you plan to pull that much trailer, however, we recommend the 1500 model for its lower cost, better fuel economy, and smoother ride quality.
A 5.3-liter V8 powers Yukon XL 1500 models (SLE, SLT, and SLT Plus trim). A 6.0-liter V8 comes standard on Denali and 2500 models. An 8.1-liter V8 ($850) is optional for 2500 models, and delivers 440 pounds-feet of torque for maximum towing capability. All Yukon XLs come with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
Both the 1500 and 2500 models are available in basic SLE or more deluxe SLT or SLT Plus trim. The top of the line is the Yukon XL Denali, which is a 1500.
The base SLE model is a well-equipped vehicle. It comes with cloth upholstery, manual dual-zone air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), self-leveling suspension, CD stereo with eight speakers, power windows, power door locks, fog lights, tinted glass, heated outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and alarm. Three rows of seats are standard. The front seat is a 40/20/40 split bench with six-way power adjustments for the driver.
SLT is technically a package ($3,290) that adds bucket seats with leather inserts, tri-zone automatic climate control, a nine-speaker Bose premium stereo, rear-seat audio controls, and assist steps (running boards).
SLT Plus ($5,415) adds to that Ultrasoft leather seating surfaces; full-function power (including power lumbar support) for the front bucket seats with seat heaters and a two-position memory function; outside mirrors with turn indicators and ground illumination (puddle lamps); auto-dimming for the driver's side outside mirror; Driver Information Center (including a trip computer); power-adjustable pedals; OnStar; a Homelink universal transmitter (for garage doors); six-disc in-dash CD changer; XM Satellite Radio; steering wheel controls for the audio system; and the Cargo Package with cargo shade, cargo net, cargo mat, luggage rack center rails.
Yukon XL Denali ($50,960) is loaded with luxury features, along with the bigger engine, a sophisticated full-time all-wheel-drive system, StabiliTrak stability control, and AutoRide suspension with self-leveling and two-position dampening. Denali is distinguished by unique exterior design cues.