WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT?
This page will tell you everything that you need to know about this SUV. Buying a vehicle is a huge accomplishment and a large financial outlay. We want you to have as much information as possible, so that you can make the best decision for you.
The Chevrolet Tahoe, and its badge engineered GMC Yukon counterpart, are full-size SUVs from General Motors, offered since 1994 and 1991, respectively. Since 1982, Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their ‘Blazer’ and ‘Jimmy’ nameplates, by introducing the smaller S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy for the 1983 model year, below the full-size Blazer and Jimmy models. This situation lasted into the early 1990s. GMC first rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the ‘Yukon’ in 1991. Chevrolet however waited until 1994, when they rebadged the redesigned mid-size S-10 Blazer as their ‘new Blazer’, while renaming the full-size Blazer as the ‘Tahoe’. The name Tahoe refers to the rugged and scenic area surrounding Lake Tahoe in the western United States. The name Yukon refers to the Yukon territory of northern Canada.
For the 1995 model year, the Tahoe and Yukon gained a new, longer 4-door model, slotting in size between the 2-door models and the longer wheelbase Chevrolet/GMC Suburbans.
The Tahoe is sold in North America, parts of Asia such as the Philippines and the Middle East, plus other countries including Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Angola as a left-hand drive vehicle. The Yukon is only sold in North America and the Middle East.
The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon currently serve as a part of General Motors’ full-size SUV family and are differentiated from similar models the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL primarily by the length of the passenger and cargo area behind the C pillar. An upscale trim Denali sub-model joined the Yukon lineup for the 1999 model year and the Cadillac Escalade is a closely related upscale version sharing the same platform.
The Tahoe’s main competition comes from the Ford Expedition, but it also competes with the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada.
As of February 2014, the 2014 Tahoe was the top-ranked Affordable Large SUV in U.S. News & World Report‘s rankings. The Tahoe has regularly been the best selling full-size SUV in the United States, frequently outselling its competition by 2 to 1.
— Source Wikipedia
- Official Page – GMC Yukon
- Price: Starts at $61,495 CAD
- Comparable to: Ford Expedition, Hyundai Palisade, GMC Yukon
- Reliability: According to JDPower this vehicle has a reliability rating of 73/100, which is considered AVERAGE.
- Maintenance costs: Approximately $8,300 over 10 years.
REVIEWS AND IMPRESSIONS
We have put together as many reviews and impressions as we could find. Each finds a way to touch upon something that the others missed. If you are serious about this vehicle then these videos are worth watching. If you have review or first impressions that helped you and that aren’t listed here, please contact us!
You can view the overall Mid-Size SUV Rankings here and the Luxury Mid-Size SUV Rankings here.
Our Score is determined by entering as many data points as we can find into our scoring algorithm to come up the most unbiased vehicle score on the planet.
SCORES BY PUBLICATION:
We have put together as many reviews and impressions as we could find. Each finds a way to touch upon something that the others missed. If you are serious about this vehicle then these videos are worth the time.
- Kelley Blue Book Review — 4.5 / 5
- Car and Driver Review — 8.5 / 10
- Edmunds Review — 7.6 / 10
- USNews Review — 8.1 / 10
- JD Power Review — 81 / 100
- Motortrend Review — 7.9 / 10
What the critics have to say…
As the largest SUV in GMC’s lineup, the new 2021 Yukon is available in standard or long wheelbase iterations. Closely related to the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon retains its body-on-frame underpinnings; however, the new architecture has been modernized to maximize interior space and improve ride quality. To further distinguish the Yukon model from its Chevrolet and Cadillac platform mates, GMC has crafted a unique dash layout for the Denali trim, complete with a different touchscreen placement.
Motortrend
HOW DOES IT DRIVE?
The Yukon Denali, which is what we tested, is the only model in the lineup powered by a 6.2-liter V8. The engine produces gobs of power, and the Denali’s 6.6-second sprint to 60 mph is among the segment’s quickest. The 10-speed automatic transmission, though smooth and pleasant enough in everyday driving, takes a few beats to shift into a lower gear when you put your foot down. We also noticed that the transmission treats pushes of manual gear selector buttons more like suggestions than commands.
Edmunds
IS IT RELIABLE AND HIGH QUALITY?
Is the GMC Yukon Reliable?
The 2021 GMC Yukon has a predicted reliability score of 73 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
GMC Yukon Warranty
The Yukon comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
HOW COMFORTABLE IS IT?
The new independent rear suspension design works wonders for the Yukon’s ride quality. That combined with the adaptive dampers and air suspension makes it ride only slightly busier than a car-based SUV. Another highlight is the quiet cabin. The Yukon is essentially a giant brick cutting through the air, yet wind noise is barely noticeable. The climate system is noteworthy, funneling large amounts of air to all three rows.
Edmunds
WHAT IS THE INTERIOR LIKE?
Available in a variety of flavors—from base SLE spec to luxurious Denali—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.
Car and Driver
WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY LIKE?
The Yukon offers a useful array of tech features and driving aids. The infotainment interface is graphically unimpressive compared to luxury rivals, but it gets the job done and responds quickly to inputs. The Bose audio system is impressive, with a wallop of bass that doesn’t overpower instruments or vocals. You can connect to it through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which support wireless connections. Our Denali had seven seats, and between the USB ports and a wireless charging pad, there were enough power points for every occupant to charge simultaneously.
Edmunds
WHAT IS THE CARGO SPACE LIKE?
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. 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.
USNews
IS THIS VEHICLE A GOOD VALUE?
It’s difficult to rate the Yukon Denali on value. On one hand, it’s more expensive than a similarly equipped Ford Expedition or Nissan Armada and it’s priced almost the same as a Mercedes GLS or BMW X7. Both of these luxury SUVs are more refined and upscale, but they can’t tow as much. As it stands, the Yukon Denali is an interesting middle ground between mainstream and large luxury SUVs. And as such, its interior materials are pretty nice without being awesome.
Edmunds
IS THE GMC Yukon A GOOD SUV?
Yes, the GMC Yukon is a good large SUV. It has powerful V8 engines and a cushioned ride, and it gets decent gas mileage for the class. Inside, there’s plenty of space for adults in all three rows, and few competitors have as much cargo room – and that’s before we even mention the long-wheelbase Yukon XL. There’s a user-friendly infotainment system as well. Although, some class rivals are more engaging to drive.
USNews
SHOULD I BUY THE GMC Yukon?
The Yukon costs a little more than most of its classmates, but you should still give it a look because it provides plenty of value. It has few weak spots, and it’s more spacious and upscale than most rivals. In fact, the top-of-the-line Denali trim can hold its own against many luxury SUVs.
USNews
THE FINAL WORD
The GMC Yukon is a unique animal within this segment. It is expensive, but it is nearly as luxurious as a Mercedes or BMW equivalent and it can tow more. It isn’t quite a top luxury SUV, but it also isn’t an average people hauler either.