Updated February 10, 2022
WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT?
This page will tell you everything that you need to know about the Acura MDX. Buying a vehicle is a huge accomplishment and a huge 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.[1] 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 – Yukon Denali
- Price: Starts at $81,148
- Comparable to: Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7
- Maintenance costs: The MDX will cost approximately $8,300 to maintain 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 check out the videos at the end of our vehicle analysis section. If you have review or first impressions that helped you and that aren’t listed here, please contact us!
OUR SCORE
We rank the GMC Yukon Denali #8 in the Full-Size Luxury SUV Category.
SCORES BY PUBLICATION:
CGMagOnline: 8 / 10
Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5
Car and Driver: 8.5 / 10
USNews: 8.1 / 10
Edmunds: 7.6 / 10
J.D. Power: 81 / 100
Motortrend: no rating
What the critics have to say…
Outside of a Savana passenger van, nothing in the GMC truck lineup simultaneously hauls people and cargo as well as the 2022 Yukon and long-wheelbase Yukon XL. Closely related to the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, the Yukon lineup can be had with either a 5.3- or 6.2-liter gasoline-powered V-8 engine or a turbo-diesel 3.0-liter inline-six. No matter which engine is under the hood, the Yukon delivers stout towing capacity and a refined on-road demeanor. The cabin is spacious in all three rows and the Yukon can be ordered in a variety of trims that escalate in luxuriousness, culminating in the high-end Denali trim.
— Car and Driver
The Yukon is one of the few truck-based SUVs still around. But being truck-based can’t be an excuse for being behind the times. The previous-generation Yukon offered plenty of towing capacity but came up short in refinement, versatility and features. This year’s redesigned 2021 Yukon has addressed many of those shortcomings.
— Edmunds
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.
The Yukon’s substantial weight and top-heavy design sabotage any chance of praiseworthy handling. It’s something you have to accept with a vehicle this large. On the upside, the brakes make it easy to stop smoothly, and the light steering effort is perfect for navigating a crowded Costco lot. The Denali isn’t as capable off-road as the AT4 trim, but its air suspension and two-speed transfer case will get you out of some tough spots.
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.
Seat comfort is less impressive. The bolsters up front are flat, and the seats lack the extensive adjustments found in competing SUVs. Some of our drivers started to get uncomfortable after just a few hours of driving. The second-row seats are flat as well, and none of the seats in the third row feel remotely sculpted to the human body.
WHAT IS THE INTERIOR LIKE?
All three rows now have enough headroom and leg space for adults. The Yukon is also easy to get in and out of — provided you have enough clearance to swing the big doors out. The large door openings, tall roof and sliding second-row seats make third-row access a cinch. Front sightlines are pretty good, though the thick rear pillars obscure your view somewhat. The available 360-degree camera system is terrifically useful in parking spots.
The controls up front are a mix of virtual buttons and chunky physical knobs and switches. Some are easy to discern without taking your eyes off the road, while others are grouped and located in odd places. The driver’s seat offers plenty of sliding and height-adjustment range, but a lack of additional seat adjustments makes it hard to find an ideal driving position.
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.
GMC doesn’t fit the Yukon with many standard driving aids, and we cannot fathom why adaptive cruise control is only available on the top-level Denali trim. At least the systems all work pretty well.
WHAT IS THE CARGO SPACE LIKE?
A from-the-ground-up rethink of the Yukon pays dividends in the cargo area. Space behind the third row measures 25.5 cubic feet — roughly 50% more than the previous model. Fold all of the rear seats and you get a whopping 122.9 cubes of storage, which is more than what you get from the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia or Nissan Armada. There are also many areas throughout the cabin offers for storing your small personal items, including a deep bin below the center stack and two-tier storage on every door. The optional sliding center console is useful for hiding small items, but it reduces underarm storage by splitting the cubby into two compartments.
Planning to use your Yukon to shuttle around small children? The second-row car seat anchors are immediately visible and easy to access, and the Yukon’s gargantuan cabin ensures you’ll have no problem fitting a set of child seats.
As for towing, the Yukon can pull up to 8,000 pounds when equipped with 4WD and the 6.2-liter engine; the Yukon’s max tow rating of 8,400 pounds comes with rear-wheel drive and the 5.3-liter engine. This is more than car-based luxury SUVs can handle, but a comparable Ford Expedition can pull an additional 1,000 pounds.
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.
GMC’s bumper-to-bumper warranty of three years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage and roadside assistance for five years/60,000 miles are typical for the class. GMC covers the first scheduled maintenance visit.
IS THE GMC Yukon denali 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.
SHOULD I BUY THE gmc yukon denali?
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.
THE FINAL WORD
The 2021 GMC Yukon is incredibly spacious, with an upscale interior and easy-to-use technology. It also has powerful engines and a comfortable ride. A less agile ride than some of the competition is the only blemish on its record, and that’s why it finishes near the top our large SUV rankings. This GMC is worth a look from shoppers.