2019 GMC Yukon

Not to be mistaken here as the Yukon has options for every individual, from economical to luxurious. As we said earlier this is a completely different segment and there are hardly any outsider entries; Nissan Armada, Ford Expedition, and the Chevrolet Tahoe are the rivals for the 2019 Yukon.

2019 GMC Yukon comes in four trim levels, again thanks to GMC for keeping this simple. The base trim SLE comes with standard features like cloth upholstery, 18-inch wheels, an infotainment system with smartphone integration, and 3-zone automatic climate control. The SLT standard edition trim comes with heated front seats with power adjustments and a driver alert package as standard. The SLT trim adds a few features over the previous trim like perforated seats and power-folding second and third row. It also enables buyers to have the optional 6.2L V8 engine. 

Now the crème de la crème, Denali trim; this adds all the features listed above plus 20-inch wheels and that 6.2L V8 engine is now standard. Moreover, all these trim levels are available in 2WD or 4WD drivetrain options as well as an XL body option which allows a ridiculous level of cargo storing capabilities to the Yukon. The extended-wheelbase variant will add roughly $4000 extra over its standard-length variant.

Optional Packages

Which Trim should you buy?

The way GMC has provided options for each trim is mind-boggling but we must settle with one and that would be the SLT trim. Now, this has the option to choose the 6.2L V-8 engine but that totally depends on your personal needs so this choice is yours to make. For the rest, the 5.3L V8 engine packs enough punch for daily needs. The optional packages we recommend are HD trailering, Interior protection, Convenience, and open road package. The SLT trim comes standard with safety features like lane keep assist and departure warning so that would be a bonus.

The 2019 Yukon comes in 4 trim levels with the least two being fitted with the 5.3L, V-8 engine which makes 255 hp & 383 lb-ft of torque. This variant is coupled with a 6-speed automatic gearbox with an RWD drivetrain. However, it can be had in AWD config as well. This engine is sufficient for daily driving and cruising on the highways but having 6 gears means moving this 5400lbs SUV is a task. Although it doesn’t really struggle but does this in an easy-going manner. 

The SLT & Denali comes with the larger 6.2L V8 engine and this one is a considerable upgrade over the base engine. This engine churns out 420 hp & 460 lb-ft of torque. Transmission duties are handed over to a 10-speed gearbox with an option to choose the RWD or AWD drivetrain. The 10-speed gearbox does have its advantages like super-smooth cruising on the highways and better gearing ratios while towing loads. 

This engine option with the RWD drivetrain would be the perfect fit for the buyers who have regular towing needs as this can tow up to 8500 lbs. when fitted with an HD trailer package.

The GMC Yukon, even being the least powerful SUV on paper, has managed a great 0-60 MPH timing. The Ford Expedition is just marginally better than the Yukon but it does have a much higher towing capacity thanks to that massive 470 lb-ft torque. The Yukon with the optional bigger engine will perform much better than any of the rivals.

How well does the 2019 GMC Yukon handle?

The 2019 GMC Yukon is a heavy vehicle and yet thanks to its chassis it responds very well to the steering inputs and never ever likes driving a bus. The suspension on the base trims is a blessing and soaks in all the bumps and undulations with ease but this also reflects in a slightly bouncy or should we say plush driving experience. 

The Magnetic ride control present in the Denali trim features adaptive dampers for sharp handling. The Denali comes with 22-inch wheels and coupled with this suspension setup, ride quality gets significantly more harsh than the base variants. SUVs are meant to have comfortable handling and relaxed ride equality but such unnecessary extra features ruin the experience.

Braking Performance

Well, all of you are very well aware of the stature of Yukon and would not expect it to stop like a performance car. The brakes on the 2019 Yukon have 13-inch rotors at the front and 13.6 inches at the rear as it’s an RWD setup for the most part. The braking performance is average for such a vehicle and the pedal feels good, responding in a nice gradual way.

Yukon doesn’t have the best performance as it is evident but neither of these SUVs has. Yeah, Ford Expedition has done exceptionally well than the others but having a braking distance of more than 120 feet isn’t something to cheer about anyway.

Fuel economy doesn’t really mean anything for this class of SUVs, the 2019 Yukon delivers an acceptable mileage considering the engine it has underneath. The Yukon also has a cylinder deactivation system that runs the engine only on 4 cylinders when more power is not needed, mostly in urban areas. The bigger 6.2L V8 engine returns almost the same fuel economy thanks to the 10-speed transmission. These numbers might further change if you get the XL variants.

The Ford Expedition has mastered the fuel economy game by a considerable margin. The smaller capacity V-6 engine and the 10-speed auto transmission have helped Ford quite a lot. But its smaller fuel tank affects the driving range.

GMC Yukon doesn’t lack interior features. As you go up in the trim levels more convenience features get added but the overall quality of the materials used isn’t up to the standards. If you have been a regular GMC user you can spot the switches that are reused from the parts bin, with no exclusivity. The dashboard has an overlapping multilayered design and the instrument cluster is filled with dials and gauges like a heavy hauler fright truck has. The infotainment screen and switches are separated nicely but the plastic buttons and knobs don’t have a great feel to them.

The base trim Yukon comes with cloth upholstered seats and can be had with a front bench-type seat. The front row seats are comfortable and the cushioning is thick and soft. Although for power-adjustable seats you would have to opt for the SLT trim. The top of the line Denali offers you all the luxurious bits you need in this class of SUVs. The second row can be had in captain’s chair configuration but that would be an insult to the massive interior space the Yukon provides. The first two rows aren’t the issue on any full-size SUV, the third row is, and the Yukon suffers here. The floor bed is quite high and that makes it a really uncomfortable seating position for adults. The XL variant just might solve this issue.

The Yukon’s cargo capacity is acceptable at this point, it should have been better. The trunk can hold a few large hard case bags. But take a look at his SUV's size, any SUV this big can do that. Folding the seats will allow more room obviously but then what’s the point in having a third row if you can’t utilize it. The interior cargo space is just okay with 6 cup holders, an under-armrest storage bin, and a nonsense trickery where the infotainment display slides up revealing a USB charging port. 

Standout interior features:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated second-row seats
• 3 zone automatic climate control

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2019 Yukon comes with all the features we should have as standard like Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. The infotainment system can be maneuvered through an 8-inch touchscreen. Well, the trend nowadays is of huge screens but this one will do just fine. The sound system is sponsored by Bose with active noise canceling available as an option. Thankfully the screen is not glossy so the sunlight glare isn’t an issue on this. Apart from this, you also get a rear-seat entertainment system, wireless device charging and a Wifi Hotspot.

Standout infotainment features:

• Android Auto & Apple Carplay
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Bose premium audio system
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Bluetooth
• Active noise cancellation 

The 2019 GMC Yukon carries out the same old yet effective styling with options to make it look cooler; Like the Graphite edition which blacks out the SUV and gets larger wheels. The SLE and SLT trim look very similar to each other and the Denali stands out with the chrome grille, chrome wheels; chrome everything. 

Being boxy is the main feature of this segment and the Yukon is very symmetrical in the overall design and looks pleasing to the eyes. The swept-back headlights make them look larger. The way rear glass covers the entire rear end gives it a seamless look. Yukon can be had in 9 different wheel designs and ten colors so you have plenty of combinations to make yours stand out.

GMC Yukon has a lower ground clearance than most of the rivals and that makes it more stable and agile. Ford Expedition with its huge 9.9-inch ground clearance and a torque heavy engine is certainly a more capable off-roader than the competition. 

Standout exterior features:

• Chrome accents
• Swept-back headlights
• 22-inch alloy wheels
• Magnetic ride control
• Trailer brake controller

The 2019 Yukon has been crash-tested by the NHTSA and the overall results are great with a 4-star rating. Yukon only suffered a little in the frontal crash tests and rollover risk assessment, getting 4-stars and 3-stars respectively. IIHS hasn’t tested the SUV fully yet but the results won’t differ much from the NHTSA tests. The 2019 Yukon comes with many active safety features and almost all of them are optional. Nice cash grab opportunity for the GMC. 

Standout safety features:

• Low-speed automatic emergency braking
• Fully-fledged automated emergency braking (SLT & Denali optional)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist & lane departure warning
• Automatic high beam headlights
• Blind-spot monitor

2019 GMC Yukon vs 2019 Ford Expedition

Ford Expedition does everything better than the Yukon. The second-row seating arrangement is first class. Expedition has a better, modern design on the exterior as well as the exterior. The most notable difference is the engine choices, the twin-turbo V-6 on the Ford is better. But it gets too expensive, a little too much.

2019 GMC Yukon vs 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe

Both the SUVs are mechanical twins sharing the same power figures. The only difference lies in the exterior. The interior on the Chevrolet Tahoe is a replica of the Yukon and it all depends on which brand you are loyal to.

2019 GMC Yukon vs 2019 Nissan Armada

There isn’t anything special about the Nissan Armada except for the price to performance ratio and some features that it comes standard with. The interior of the Armada is like from the 90s luxury SUV, with too many wooden inlays. It even has the poorest fuel economy in the group today, so summing it all up the GMC Yukon turns out to be a better choice.

The GMC Yukon is an American icon done right. There are some selfish attempts made by the automaker in the safety department but that is something we can’t change. 2019 Yukon offers a solid design and clean interiors and GMC has kept all doors open when it comes to customization. Not just visually but mechanically too. The Graphite Performance Edition makes the Yukon a completely different SUV with that adaptive suspension and blacked-out exteriors. The 2019 GMC Yukon is a perfect SUV for people who believe in doing things in style.