GMC Yukon review: The best used large SUV

The Yukon is huge, it’s capable and it’s built for big families with big plans and big things to tow along the way. The guts of the GMC Yukon are largely sourced from the GMC Sierra pickup truck, one of the bestselling, most proven and most mass-produced utility vehicles on the road.

If you plan to take long trips with a trailer in tow, a family on board and four-wheel drive at the ready for off-road journeys, this SUV should be on your radar. You can also check out the Chevrolet Tahoe, which is the Yukon’s corporate sibling. With room for up to eight people (along with cargo, shopping and canines), a second-hand Yukon or Tahoe might just be the ultimate adventure vehicle.

From 2021, the latest-generation Tahoe and Yukon offered up to 66% more cargo room behind the third seating row versus earlier versions, and it brought a 10.2-inch touchscreen to the centre of the dash for a class-leading infotainment experience. The 2021 model year also brought the AT4 variant to the Yukon lineup, featuring a specialized suspension and enhanced driveline for a more controllable and athletic drive on a wide range of surfaces.

There’s further value for used shoppers in a 2022 model-year unit of either machine, with increased availability of high-performance engines, connectivity features and safety equipment across the range. 

In 2022, GM earned industry recognition for having the most loyal customers in the market. According to GMAuthority.com, those results are driven in no small part by models like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

Is the GMC Yukon a good car?

The GMC Yukon brings together the family-carrying capacity of a minivan and the heavy-hauling dynamics of a pickup truck. This vehicle can tackle just about anything you throw at it or hook it up to.

Most used Yukon models will offer one of two V8 engines: the smaller, more fuel-friendly 5.3-litre and a potent 6.2-litre option. Both use stop/start technology and Dynamic Fuel Management, which allows the engine to run on fewer than eight cylinders when maximum power isn’t required, greatly reducing fuel consumption.

With the optional 3-litre Duramax straight-six turbodiesel engine (added to the lineup from model year 2021), drivers can experience massive torque alongside further reduced fuel consumption, especially in highway driving.

Just make sure you’ll benefit from the capability. These SUVs are powered by a proven range of engines with the latest fuel-saving tech to help squeeze out every ounce of capability from your fuel dollars, though smaller and more fuel-efficient options are abundant at this price point.

What to look for when test-driving a used GMC Yukon

What else should you look for when shopping for a used Yukon? The AT4 trim grade features a high-tech suspension and rear axle that makes the drive simultaneously more comfortable and agile, and you should see it soak up bumpy roads and tear through icy, snowy conditions with a proper set of winter rubber installed. (My personal favourites are the Michelin X-Ice and Nokian Hakkapeliitta.)

Then, there’s the straight-six turbo diesel engine, dubbed Duramax, which provides the torque of a 6.2-litre V8 but turns in the fuel economy of a much less potent V6 crossover.

When GM announced it would bring the same Duramax diesel engines it employs in its pickup trucks over to its full-size SUVs, including the luxurious GMC Yukon Denali, shoppers got excited.

Although 277 horsepower seems low for a vehicle of the Yukon’s considerable size and weight, torque is the all-important number when it comes to moving a heavy object, and this 3-litre straight-six delivers plenty of it, with 460 lb-ft. That matches the output of the (much thirstier) 6.2-litre V8, but makes the bulk of that torque available right out of idle. Though it can’t match the V8 engines when it comes to the soundtrack, the Duramax is smoother and quieter than most test-driving shoppers will expect. 

If you’re after an upscale SUV experience, opt for a Yukon Denali. This popular trim grade comes dressed up and decked out for a luxurious feel, yet it lacks the snootiness of many competitors, most of which can’t match the Yukon’s reputation for inspiring confidence via its tough and proven platform. The GMC Yukon has earned industry recognition, too. The 2021 model stuffed its trophy rack with impressive hardware: an InMoment eNVy Award for Best Large SUV, Four Wheeler’s SUV of the Year award, and Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value award for a full-size SUV.

Before you buy a used GMC Yukon

The latest-generation GMC Yukon was all new for model year 2021, meaning it should be easy to find a lower-mileage unit with plenty of remaining warranty, if your budget allows.

If this is your first foray into the world of owning a large SUV, be sure to fully understand the cost of its maintenance requirements, replacement tires, winter tires, fuel and insurance before making a decision. The longest-lasting SUVs on the road tend to be the ones that are the best-maintained.

Have a look at all service records before you buy, or make sure they’re accessible to the selling dealership. In the unlikely event that you need a warranty-related repair, you may need to prove that all maintenance and servicing is up to date. Remember, the used Yukon’s remaining warranty doesn’t cover damage or wear caused by non-factory parts or fluids, or a failure to maintain the vehicle properly.

Take note of tire and wheel sizing before you buy, too. High-grade models will roll on larger-diameter wheels, pushing up to and beyond 20 inches. Though bigger wheels look fantastic, they may diminish ride quality on rough surfaces and are typically best for drivers spending most of their time on the highway. If you’ll do a lot of off-road or backroads driving on rougher surfaces, you’ll likely find a model with smaller wheels (and thicker tires) to deliver a more comfortable ride there.

GMC Yukon issues to know about

Your investment in a GMC Yukon goes more towards its platform, chassis and powertrain than its interior. Though owners appreciate the confident and capable drive, many long for a more upscale cabin with richer materials and colours. If you’re after the most striking or high-quality interior for the dollar, this isn’t the machine you’re after.

Other owners and reviewers have mixed feelings about the pull-switch shifter, very expensive pricing and enormous size, which can make parking and navigating in tighter quarters more difficult.

Should I buy a GMC Yukon?

You have other interesting options when shopping for a large used SUV, but if you require a vehicle that can hold your entire family and their gear in luxurious comfort while towing your boat around, the Yukon might be exactly what you need—just remember to ask about that wonderful Duramax diesel. 

If you live in a northern locale and will regularly use your SUV in severe winter weather or on very rough road surfaces, I’d highly recommend the Yukon AT4 because of how its specialized equipment helps tackle these conditions with ease.

Example: 2021 GMC Yukon SLT 4×4 Specifications

• Price as tested (when new): $69,948
• Body type: SUV
• Powertrain layout: 4×4
• Engine: 5.3L V8 with AFM
• Horsepower: 355
• Torque (lb-ft): 383
• Towing: 3,720 kg (8,201 lb)
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Curb weight: 2,725 kg (6,007 lb)
• NRCan fuel economy (combined): 13.5 L / 100 km
• EPA fuel economy (combined): 18 MPG

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About Justin Pritchard

Justin Pritchard is an automotive journalist and award-winning presenter, photographer, videographer and technical writer in Sudbury, Ont. He is a former co-chair of the Canadian Car of the Year Awards, and his passion for vehicle testing is the core of his work.