2011 GMC Yukon

The Yukon is available in three trim levels with the prices starting from $39,895 for the RWD version of the base ‘SLE’ trim and it goes all the way up to $57,595 for the range-topping AWD version of the ‘Denali’ trim. The high towing capacity of more than 8000 lbs along with measurable spaciousness is another highlight of this machinery. But even with this much ability, It still has to face stiff competition against the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia in the full-size SUV segment.

The 2011 GMC Yukon comes in three different trim levels namely the SLE, SLT, and the Denali, and each of them is equipped with both RWD and AWD drive layouts. In terms of trim specialty, the Base SLE gets plenty of features for convenience and tech-end. The list enjoys the mentioning of the Tow/haul mode selector, tri-zone automatic climate control, and the PASS-Key III. On top of that, the cabin does have a Theft-deterrent system and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation incorporated into it. After that comes the SLT trim which further adds leather upholstery for the seats with an embedded heater. It also has Stolen Vehicle Assistance and Automatic Crash Response extensions in its realm. The Denali trim gets a suite of safety features and each variant justifies the price tag that gets associated with it.

We Recommend

The SLT trim level with the AWD drivetrain option is the most preferred one amongst buyers as it comes in the middle of all the price tags and offers equivalent handling, comfort, and performance. The interior is as enriched as Denali to a large extent. It does not disappoint in getting you cozy in the seats with high cushioning for long hauling. Thus, one should avoid Denali and invest those saved dollars in other packages to enhance the overall feel. 

The 2011 GMC Yukon comes with a massive 5.3 L naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 320 horsepower and 335 lb-ft. of torque. You can also spot an even bigger 6.2 L naturally aspirated V8 under the hood that produces 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft. of torque. Both the powertrains are mated to the same 6-speed automatic transmission unit with which the power is either transferred to only the rear wheels or all the wheels. With this setup at work, the Yukon can do a 0-60 mph acceleration pull in 7.9 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile distance within the 16-second mark which is pretty impressive for a full-size SUV that weighs over 5,500 lbs. It also has a top speed of 139 mph.

The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are no less than siblings in their powertrain packages and their delivery. Both of them share the same reputation of being the most desirable among the rivals as the Toyota Sequoia might have an edge of some hundredth of a second over them but its higher price tag sway the audience towards the former two. The Ford Expedition comes last in this performance segment clocking 8.4 seconds to 60mph but mind you that it has the class-leading torque of 365lb.-ft available which is handy while high towing.

The Yukon has a decent fuel economy despite being a full-size SUV. It delivers a combined fuel economy of 17 MPG while delivering 15 and 21 MPG in the city and highway driving conditions, respectively. Having a 26-gallon fuel tank has proven to be useful for the Yukon as it offers a maximum range of up to 546 miles in ideal scenarios. These figures go down to 14, 18, 16 MPG for city, highway, and overall when coupled with the 6.2L variant as with higher volume, the mixture homogeneity of the air-fuel suffers.

The GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe both share the same engine units and hence deliver the same fuel economy and that too with similar range coverage. The Toyota Sequoia, on other hand, may have slightly lower efficiency but its fuel tank of 28-gallons makes up for that. The most stunning among all is the one which lagged behind them in its performance curve. The Ford Expedition gets them with its supreme range of 560 miles in a go and thus sets the trend for them to follow.

The interior of the 2011 GMC Yukon is content in many regards. The leatherette right from the dashboard to seats and steering depending on the trim strata is a valuable return on your investment. The power-adjustability has been made standard across all the trim but the permutation of flexing may vary from 6-way to 10-way as we move from the Base SLE to Denali. It even gets a tri-zone automatic climate control along with an integrated heater unit and heating ducts. The flexibility inside the cabin is further enhanced with the 60/40 split-folding and 50/50 split-bench seats in the second and third-row respectively. The seating height is also taken into account with nice cushioning and visibility. 

As far as comparison is concerned, each has something to offer in their specified boundary. For instance, when it comes to third-row space, the Toyota Sequoia seems to put all the other SUVs to shame as it can even accommodate adults quite comfortably there. The Expedition can also be rated on the same block as that of the Toyota Sequoia if you would consider it on an average basis. The Tahoe and Yukon seem to be parallel here with their same cargo capacity and seating arrangements in all the rows and that is why they are equally cramped in their rear zone.

Some standout interior features are:

• 10-way power-adjustable seats 
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Rear seat auxiliary climate control ducts
• Power tilt steering wheel with heating
• Leather upholstery

How intuitive is the 2011 GMC Yukon’s infotainment unit?

The Yukon comes with some of the best infotainment features in its class and these features are a major part of why the GMC Yukon is preferred so much. All trim levels of the Yukon get Bose surround-sound system as standard with a 9-speaker unit in conjunction with a subwoofer. There is Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity on offer as well. One can also avail of some of the additional packages like the Sun, Entertainment, and Destinations Package with some extra bucks. 

Some standout infotainment features are:

• Bose surround sound system with 10 speakers
• SiriusXM satellite radio 
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• Steering wheel controls for the infotainment system
• Auxiliary Audio Input

When it comes to exterior styling and design, the GMC Yukon maintains its bold and bossy character with its silhouette. The design language is so consistent that even the 17-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels look apt and adaptive to their muscularity. The front is wide and long which holds dual halogen composite headlamps along with the chrome-accented grille. There are other features as well like the assist steps, gray-finish air dam, and heated power-adjustable mirrors along with roof-mounted luggage rack side rails which have been attached to its outfit. Therefore, the GMC Yukon is as operational as it should be with its exterior offering.

The GMC Yukon and all other rivals are within the standard limit of their design dimensions. This allows them to have dynamics at par with one another. There is hardly any gap in their weight distribution which drives home the point that they would have the same braking bite and longitudinal-lateral force shifts. Moreover, the risk of rollover would also be on the same scale only. Hence, it is very difficult to come to any conclusion as per one’s edge over another and then provide justification for that.

Some standout exterior features are:

• 20-inch machined alloy wheels
• Heated power-folding mirrors
• Chrome grille
• Blacked out assist steps

GMC has taken care of a lot of feature-related and platform-related concerns with the Yukon and safety is one of them. It proves to be one of the safest options in the segment with an overall safety rating of 4 stars from the NHTSA and similar status ratings from the IIHS. While standard features are adequate, there are some assistance available with it as well which are the OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics and Stolen Vehicle Assistance.

Some standout safety features are:

• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Electronic Stability Control 
• Automatic Crash Response System
• Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist with Audible sound
• Stolen vehicle assistance

The 2011 GMC Yukon seems to be one of the best options for those who are looking for a full-size SUV. It proves to be one of the most practical SUVs out there thanks to the well-balanced ride quality, long list of infotainment features and creature comforts, and the practicality that it brings along with its decent safety ratings. It is definitely worth the money being spent and could be given preference in the first place.