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Should you buy a used GMC Yukon or a brand new? Both are a great choice to carry your growing family in comfort and style.
Should You Be Buy a New or Used Full-Size SUV?
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As your family starts to grow, you need an SUV that can carry everyone in comfort, hold all the stuff for your kid’s practice, and it needs to have the ability to tow your toys too. The GMC Yukon is a great family SUV, offering lots of style, plenty of space, and ample power and capability. However, the age-old question arises when you consider whether you should buy a brand-new GMC Yukon or go with a used GMC Yukon. There are certainly advantages to each, but let’s take a closer look to see how the latest Yukon stacks up with a Yukon from a couple years ago.
New vs Used GMC Yukon Specs
The new GMC Yukon benefits from a recent redesign that debuted as a 2021 model. The exterior is one place the new Yukon really differentiates itself from the older version. The newer Yukon example has an aggressive front-end design with a large grille and distinctive LED powered headlights featuring GMC’s signature C-shaped daytime running lights. The side has a crisp shoulder line that gives the SUV a solid look and the rear of the Yukon is defined by brilliant LED taillights. GMC offers a large range of wheel options ranging from 18-inches up to massive 22-inch ones with a variety of styles and finishes.
The new 2022 GMC Yukon is offered with three engine options. The standard engine is a 5.3-liter V8 that develops 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to a larger 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Maximum cruising range is delivered by the available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel that churns out 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Each engine is mated to GMC’s advanced ten-speed automatic transmission that optimizes performance and efficiency. When properly equipped, the 2022 GMC Yukon is rated to tow up to 8,400 pounds.
For our used model, the 2020 GMC Yukon is still new enough that it doesn’t look dated, except when parked next to the new one. It also gets LED daytime running lights, a range of wheel choices, and a strong shoulder line, but the over look is just a little softer. When it comes to capability, the used GMC Yukon was offered with the same V8 engine options with the same power and torque ratings. On the 2020 GMC Yukon, the 5.3-liter engine came with a six-speed automatic transmission while only the larger 6.2-liter V8 benefitted from the ten-speed automatic.
Fuel economy numbers between the new and used are very similar, with EPA combined mpg numbers between 16 and 18 mpg for the 5.3-liter engine and 16 combined mpg for the 6.2-liter engine. Fuel economy drops a little when either Yukon is the larger XL model or when equipped with a four-wheel drive system. The 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine, only offered on the new 2022 GMC Yukon, has the best EPA combined rating of 23 mpg.
Driving and Performance
When you’re on the road in the Yukon, you can expect a similar experience in either the new or used model. Since both the new and used GMC Yukon have the same V8 engine options and the same automatic transmission, you’ll find acceleration times to be very similar. When comparing the new 5.3-liter V8 to the older one, you might feel a difference in the transmission, but both should deliver a smooth drive. You can expect the larger Yukon XL models to feel a bit slower given they’re a bit heavier and longer.
If you plan to take your Yukon off-road, you might want to consider the new 2022 GMC Yukon’s available AT4 model which gets special off-road oriented features. The front features a revised bumper that gives the AT4 a better approach angle, the available Active Response 4WD system gives superior off-road capability, and the Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension can raise the Yukon up to 2-inches to give you some extra ground clearance.
Comfort and Interior
Both versions of the GMC Yukon are very nice places to pass the miles. Both the new and used Yukon can seat 8-people with the second-row bench seat, or 7 people with the available second-row captain’s chairs. For those who need the option for a nineth seat, the used GMC Yukon was offered with an available bench seat for the first row, giving the ability to seat nine. The longer XL model of either generation offers more cargo space behind the third row, making it the ideal choice if you have a lot of stuff you need to carry. Both Yukon’s indulge you with available leather seating, but the new Yukon gets a fresher look along with a unique fractal stitching design.
The 2022 GMC Yukon also has a slight advantage in terms of technology. The new model features GMC’s premium infotainment system with a large 10.2-inch touchscreen display and features like Wi-Fi hotspot, Google Maps, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, plus the Surround Vision camera system that helps you see all around the full-size SUV. Another neat feature on the new Yukon is the available 15-inch multicolor head-up display that shows all of the information you need in your line of sight. The used Yukon model offers decent technology, but, given the rate of change in technology, the new Yukon feels more up to date.
Trims and Features
Comparing the trim levels between the new and old model is pretty straight forward. The SLE trim is the starting point, with the new one starting at $53,795, and it gets the smaller V8 engine. Stepping up to the SLT trim, which starts at $60,595, you get some additional interior luxuries like a premium sound, leather seats, and memory settings for the driver seat. The AT4 trim, which is only offered on the new generation Yukon starts at $68,295, and comes with off-road goodies like red tow hooks, a skid plate, and a 2-speed transfer case. If you want maximum luxury, the Denali trim is the king and starts at $71,695. The Denali gets the finest leather seats offered, the best sound system, and is available with the larger V8 engine.
Should You Go with a New or Used GMC Yukon?
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As is typically the case, choosing between a new GMC Yukon or a used GMC Yukon comes down primarily to your preferences and budget. Buying a used Yukon gets you into a very capable and luxurious SUV that can carry the whole family in comfort. Unfortunately, the car market is hot right now, so buying a used Yukon might not save you a ton of money. The 2022 GMC Yukon is the ideal choice for someone looking for the latest and greatest, especially when it comes to infotainment and driver aiding technologies. Either way you go, you’ll be getting a great full-sized SUV that’s sure to provide your family years of excellent service.
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