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Making Light of the Lotus Elite2024 GMC Yukon Review
The 2024 Yukon makes a big impression but has a big price tag. We look at powertrain options trim levels and more to decide if it's worth the extra cash.
2024 GMC Yukon – gmc.com | Shop 2024 GMC Yukon on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 GMC Yukon?
The 2024 GMC Yukon is now firmly into its fifth generation and it’s available with rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, three different engines, and a 10-speed automatic that rules them all. This beast is best known for its spacious interior, robust engines, and a cushy ride. It’s also capable of towing up to 8,300 pounds and hauling around over 120 cubic feet of cargo in the cabin.
The GMC Yukon enters into the 2024 model year without any significant changes ahead of what we expect will be a huge redesign for the 2025 model year. Expect new styling, new infotainment, and more a year from now.
Carsforsale.com Score
8/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
8.5/10
Technology
Score
8.5/10
Value
Score
7.5/10
The Breakdown
Great engines
Spacious interior
Comfortable ride
Underwhelming quality
Gangly handling
Sub-standard tech
A large but compromised ride
2024 Yukon Specs
- 355 horsepower from base engine
- 383 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 25.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 122.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- Google Built-In
- Standard automatic emergency braking
- Three-year warranty
- Towing capacity of 8,300 lbs
2024 GMC Yukon Powertrain 8/10
The base engine under the hood of the standard Yukon and the SLT and AT4 is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Of the three available engines, it’s by far the least engaging. Despite that, it’s more than powerful enough to make commuting, highway driving, and passing a breeze. According to the EPA, it gets up to 17 mpg combined.
Above that is a 6.2-liter V8 that’s available on the AT4 and standard on the Denali. It makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. We love it for its eager nature and excellent exhaust note. Of the three engines available, it’s the one most likely to make this land yacht feel fun and playful. At the same time, it’s the most fuel-thirsty with a combined rating of just 16 mpg.
Finally, GMC also offers a 3.0-liter turbodiesel that makes just 277 horsepower but also develops 460 lb-ft of torque. Consider it the frugal choice as it also achieves up to 23 mpg combined. All three engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all trims aside from the AT4 where four-wheel drive is standard. 4WD is an option on the other trims.
Generally speaking, the Yukon is a bit unwieldy to drive. It’s very large, hard to see out of in some directions and slow to react to steering input. Nevertheless, it’s one of the best behemoths in this class when it comes to driver feedback. It’s also very capable in the towing department where it maxes out at 8,300 pounds when properly equipped.
2024 GMC Yukon Interior 8.5/10
Where the Yukon truly shines is in the cabin where it’s incredibly spacious and comfortable. The seating benefits from the long wheelbase and thanks to the adjustable middle row, legroom is somewhat configurable for second and third-row passengers. That’s even more true in the stretched Yukon XL. The dash is simple but logically laid out and easy to get used to. We like the inclusion of some physical climate controls and the push-button gear selector even if both look very dated.
Truly, the only downside to the cabin of the Yukon is that it looks and feels a bit cheap for a vehicle that starts at $60,000 and can easily crest into the triple digits. The seats themselves feature very flat padding and the second and third-row ones make it feel as though contouring was a bit of an afterthought. What wasn’t an afterthought is just how comfortable the ride quality itself is.
Despite the weight of the Yukon, it soaks up bumps and poor road conditions with ease. Higher-end models with the brand’s magnetic dampers do an even more impressive job. Cargo hauling is a breeze too thanks to 25.5 cubic feet of storage behind the third row. With all seats folded down, that cargo space expands to over 122 cubic feet. Those who go for the Yukon XL benefit from over 40 cubic feet of storage behind the third row and 144 with all seats folded.
2024 GMC Yukon Technology Features 8.5/10
The Yukon comes with a 10.2-inch infotainment screen regardless of how much one spends and while it looks a bit tiny compared to other new GM products, it does the job well. Interestingly, it changes location from integrated into the dash on the Denali to placed above the main section of the dash in the other trims.
It leverages Google Built-In which feels somewhat like Android Auto but even more polished, even quicker, and more intuitive. The digital gauge cluster is configurable too and looks crisp and bright.
We also like the addition of climate control buttons and knobs for the second-row passengers along with a pair of USB-C ports for charging devices. The second-row seats are available with heating and there’s a household-style plug too. Third-row passengers also get USB-C power ports and cup holders.
Buyers can also add features like a rear camera washing system, a panoramic sunroof, and an 18-speaker Bose sound system. GM’s semi-autonomous software Supercruise is also available on most trims and comes standard on the Denali Ultimate.
Speaking of driver aids, the Yukon comes standard with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic headbeams. Considering how big this vehicle is, we’d love to see GMC offer features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and more as standard as well. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has released any safety scores for the Yukon.
2024 GMC Yukon Trims & Pricing
SLE – $60,195
The base Yukon comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and seating for eight.
SLT – $66,895
The SLT adds 20-inch wheels, a power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a wireless charging pad, and a nine-speaker Bose sound system.
AT4 – $73,500
This off-road-focused trim gets unique bumpers, tow hooks, a skid plate, a heavy-duty air filter, dark gray wheels, all-terrain tires, hill descent control, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard second-row seats, and a power-folding third row.
Denali – $78,800
This Yukon features a surround-view camera system, a heads-up display, second-row captain’s chairs, and a 14-speaker sound system.
Denali Ultimate – $101,245
The new king of the Yukon family gets 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, power-retractable side steps, a digital rearview mirror, massaging front seats, upgraded interior trim, and an 18-speaker sound system.
2024 GMC Yukon Overall Value 7.5/10
GMC is very likely planning a big update for the Yukon in 2025 and that’s good. There’s no major issue with this SUV but it’s struggling to stand out in a meaningful way. The engines are very good but the body is so big that it doesn’t handle well. The interior is fine but not very posh for a vehicle that starts at $60,000.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8/10
2024 GMC Yukon – gmc.com | Shop 2024 GMC Yukon on Carsforsale.com
GMC doesn’t make the Yukon so much better than the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe that it justifies the price in our eyes. On top of that, the siblings feature the same warranty coverage exactly so there’s no benefit for the GMC there. Perhaps GM should follow Ford’s lead and offer far better materials and more coverage for its high-end brand the way that Lincoln does.
2024 GMC Yukon FAQ
What is the difference between GMC and Chevrolet?
GMC and Chevrolet are both branches of General Motors. The difference is that GM tends to put slightly more luxurious trim into GMC products.
How much longer is the GMC Yukon XL?
The normal Yukon is 210 inches long while the XL comes in at 225 inches long. That’s an extra 15 inches of length.
How much is a GMC Yukon Denali?
The MSRP for the GMC Yukon Denali is $78,800.
