2014 GMC Yukon

The 2014 GMC Yukon is available in three trim levels. The base SLE trim is well equipped with premium quality interiors and various convenience features. The SLT trims add better comfort and luxury features to the package. With the Denali trim, you get a luxurious Yukon with different interior options and comfort levels. On top of that, the Denali has tons of cosmetic upgrades to the exterior with nuanced chrome accents and 20-inch wheels. 

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The GMC Yukon is one of the best large SUVs in terms of comfort, performance, and capabilities. It may not be as practical as its XL version, yet it is well equipped. The SLE RWD trim will give you the best value for your money with its standard and optional features. The base package is already good enough. If you want, you can add better features from the list of options. For $44,445, you'll get a premium SUV with amazing space and towing capacity.

In the large SUV segment, the V8 is a common sight. The GMC Yukon SLE and SLT trims get their horses from a 5.3L Vortec SFI V8 engine that runs on both regular gas and ethanol. It outputs 320hp of power at 5,400 RPM and a torque output of 335 lb-ft at 4,000 RPM.

The top-end Denali trim takes the performance up a notch with its 6.2L Vortec VVT V8 engine. This one outputs 403hp max. power at 5,700 RPM with 417 lb-ft torque at 4,300 RPM. Both the engines are mated with a 6-Speed automatic transmission and an optional AWD system.

The 320hp Yukon does a 0-60 MPH sprint in 8.1 seconds. A quarter-mile run takes 16.0 seconds and has a top speed of 115. The Yukon Denali takes 7.5 seconds to reach 60 MPH speed with a quarter-mile timing of 14.8 seconds. The Denali trim tops beyond 130 MPH.

As it is a premium SUV, the GMC Yukon will cost you more than any other SUV in its segment. With standard V8 powertrains, these SUVs are powerhouses when it comes to towing and off-roading. The automatic transmission makes it easier to drive the massive SUVs around the city and delivers you a satisfactory fuel economy. The Toyota Sequoia is the toughest contender to the GMC Yukon with its 381 hp of standard output. The base Yukon isn't that fast but with the Denali, the GMC Yukon takes down the whole bunch of rivals in one go. The least these SUVs can tow is 7,000 pounds, if we talk about the Toyota Sequoia. The GMC Yukon has an amazing towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Both Nissan Armada and the Ford Expedition can tow a crazy 9,000 pounds. While the former is evenly matched in performance, the Expedition is the slowest taking 8.8 seconds to the 60mph mark.

With its standard V8 engine, you cannot expect the GMC Yukon to deliver an extraordinary fuel economy.Its flex-fuel capability doesn't come in handy as Ethanol won't provide you a feasible mileage. Still, the 320hp Yukon ensures you have a decent mileage.

The Vortec V8 delivers 15 MPG in the city, 21 MPG on the highway, and 17 MPG combined. With its 26 gallon tank, you have a maximum range of 546 miles. The 403 hp delivers 14 MPG in the city, 18 MPG on the highway, and a combined 16 MPG.

The GMC Yukon has the best in class fuel economy with its V8 engine. it nears the Ford Expedition in terms of fuel economy when equipped with the 403hp V8. Still, with an 83hp bump in its power, the change in fuel economy isn't that remarkable and that's what makes the GMC Yukon better than its rivals. Also, its weight plays an important role in its fuel mileage as the Yukon weighs less than most of its rivals.

Inside its massive cabin, the GMC Yukon has a seating capacity of up to 9 people. GMC is up a notch in its segment with its premium quality and lavish features. The interior is designed with Ebony and Cashmere that makes it more appealing and plush. The cabin is further trimmer with metal-look, chrome, and wood accents. In terms of comfort and ride quality, the GMC Yukon is one of the best SUVs. The Denali trim gets trim-specific design and badging.

The simple-looking dashboard mostly remained the same over the years apart from the infotainment and the gauge cluster. What makes it unique is the column gear shifter placed right beside the steering leather steering wheels. You get LED controls placed at the center of the dash that is easily accessible. Further, you also get multiple controls on the steering where you can even tilt and lock it along with the gear shifter.

The front bucket seats offer greater comfort as we move up the trim level. The SLE trim offers 6-way driver and passenger power seat adjustments with driver lumbar support. On the SLT, it gets 10-way power heated seats with lumbar support and cushion. The top-end Denali makes it 12-way power with similar configurations. To seat 3 people at the front, you have an optional 40-20-40 split-bench seat that eliminates the center armrest.

For the second row, we have 60-40 split-bench seats that come with a center armrest and have a fold forward seatback. On the Denali trim, you can switch the second-row bench seat for two captain chairs. At the back, we have a 50-50 split-bench seat that doesn't support flat fold function and has to be removed if you want room for cargo. The rear liftgate opens up to welcome 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

To keep you cozy inside the lux cabin, you have an incomparable convenience package. You get cruise control, power-adjustable pedals, cup holders in all the rows, 5 12V DC outlets, tri-zone automatic climate control with rear console ducts, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with rear camera display, express closing power windows, and a power liftgate. Other than that, the Yukon has various storage spaces all around the cabin.

The 9 person seating capacity isn't as good as GMC claims. However, it does have proper space for 8 passengers. In terms of front and second-row seating, the Nissan Armada offers better space than any other SUV. The mighty Ford Expedition is the most practical SUV with comfortable third-row seating. 

When it comes to cargo capacity, the rivals are slightly ahead of the GMC Yukon. Removing the third-row bench seat in the Yukon will provide you with 60.3 cubic feet of space. If you fold down the second-row seat, you'll have a massive cargo space of 108.9 cubic feet which isn't that bad, but still not big enough as the Toyota Sequoia or the Nissan Armada that have 19 and 20 cu.-ft of standard space.. Some of the features that make the GMC Yukon better than its rivals are:

• Premium quality interiors
• Leather upholstery
• Chrome and wood accents
• Front row bench seat
• Column gear shifter
• Removal third-row seat
• Tri-zone climate control
• Heated power-adjustable seats

How intuitive is the 2014 GMC Yukon's infotainment unit?

The 2014 GMC Yukon is equipped with the IntelliLink infotainment system that powers a 7.0-inch touchscreen display. It supports Bluetooth wireless connectivity and USB tethering. With that, you also have an AM/FM radio with a radio data system. You can even avail CD player to enjoy your favorite beats while cruising.

Having a Sirius XM radio on a GM vehicle is a common sight. A 9 speaker Bose sound system is offered with a subwoofer as standard. The Denali trim gets an OnStar turn-by-turn navigation system. Also, the Denali has a rear-seat entertainment package with two rear displays, 2 wireless headphones, a DVD player, and an A/V remote. 

OnStar also offers internet connectivity for you. There's a driver information center for the driver to get real-time vehicle information such as a trip computer, outside temperature, and safety alerts to keep the driver posted. The features that make the infotainment better than the other SUVs in the segment are:

• 7.0-inch IntelliLink infotainment touchscreen
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity
• Sirius XM radio subscription
• Bose speakers
• OnStar turn by turn navigation
• Rear seat entertainment package

The GMC Yukon is in its long-running third generation. That's why it has a dated exterior design as compared to the rivals. Still, it has that rugged pickup truck-like look that GMC vehicles possess. The Yukon is loved for its massive size, driving comfort, and capabilities. As GMC offers an XL version separately, the Yukon is comparatively lighter in the segment.

GMC picked up the best-selling Chevrolet SUV and revamped it with its unique exterior profile where it uses a lot of chrome to make it shine bright. The metallic paint options add to the design and class of the SUV. The boxy front fascia has a mesh chrome grille with upright headlamps. To make it touring ready, you get center luggage racks with roof rails.

The Yukon looks rad from the side as you get dark tinted rear windows with massive fixed third-row windows. The window goes back to the rear where we have a similar dark tinted window on the tailgate. A rear lip spoiler shades the windshield with its integrated brake lights. The huge tail lamps are separate from the tailgate.

It gets a trailing hitch at the rear-mounted at the center of the rear bumper. The SLE trim of the Yukon rides with 17-inch bright aluminum wheels. The appearance gets better with the massive 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels. The GMC Yukon might look old, but it is the Arnold Schwarzenegger of the large SUVs.

As compared to the other SUVs, the Yukon looks more premium. With its 5,467 pound weight, it is the lightest SUV. The Toyota Sequoia is the heaviest with its 6,000 pounds of weight. In terms of length, it is a few inches shorter than other SUVs.

It does look wider than other SUVs but the difference isn't much. With its medium height, the Yukon rides a bit shorter. The 9.0-inch ground clearance makes it capable on all sorts of terrains and gives it a higher stance. The wheelbase is smaller to match the length, where the Nissan’s Armada leads the segment at 123.2 inches.

• Chrome exterior accents
• Metallic colors
• Huge headlamps and tail lamps
• Dark-tinted side and rear windows
• Center luggage racks with roof rails
• 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels

The 2014 GMC Yukon gets its strength from the safety cage construction. The structure provides reinforcements in the A-pillar, roof rails, and under-seat panels to keep the cabin safe from collisions. With such integrity, the GMC Yukon has scored 4 Stars ratings on the NHTSA. The 3 Star rollover ratings come in their way to score 5 Stars for its safety.

Standout Safety features:

• Safety cage construction
• OnStar automatic crash response
• ProActive roll avoidance
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Blind zone alert
• Stabilink stability control

The GMC Yukon has been on the list of top most SUVs for a long time. GMC has made necessary changes to the Yukon over time to make it better and to add value to it. It is properly equipped for its segment with tons of features and options. The Denali trim is loved for its interior design and quality. Most of the features available with the Yukon are offered as standard. With its V8, it can tow heavy trailers without breaking a sweat.

If you want a practical SUV, then the GMC Yukon is not suitable for you. However, if you are willing to spend some extra money to avail yourself of an SUV that offers proper comfort, ride quality, entertainment, convenience, and performance, and that too in the best way possible, then the 2014 GMC Yukon is the best option you have. As compared with the rivals, the Yukon is surely a luxury SUV in all of its forms.