2012 GMC Yukon

The 2012 GMC Yukon has three trims on offer identical to the outgoing model year - SLE, SLT, and the top-of-the-line Denali. Starting at 40 grand, the SLE offers quite a few exciting standard features like three-zone climate control, simulated leather-trimmed interiors, leather steering wheel, power-adjustable seats, 9-speaker audio system by Bose, and a lot more. 

It comes with a 5.3-liter V8 and RWD as standard and can be upgraded to a 4x4 system for a better off-roading experience. The top Denali houses a more powerful 6.2-liter V8 and has premium leather seats, a heated steering wheel, 8-way power-adjustable seats including power-lumbar support, and a lot more. But will cost you a dearly 58,005 with the AWD system.

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The base SLE would do everything and packs adequate features that would come in handy to a lot of people but if you want a few additions over the standard ones like the inclusion of leather seats, etc. then you can consider the SLT.

Big SUVs need big and powerful engines and so does the 2012 GMC Yukon. The base engine is a 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 that lies under the hood pumping out 320 horses and 335 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the SUV does not seem to lag and sends all the power through the rear wheels as standard. 

The other engine found inside the Denali is a bigger 6.2-liter V8 engine that cranks out 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a similar 6-speed transmission. Let’s talk about real-world performance. The Yukon with the base engine does accelerate smoothly and takes 8.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and does a quarter of a mile in 16.3 seconds which is decent given its towing capacity. Meanwhile, the 6.2-liter V8 is capable of touching 60 mph in about 7 seconds.

Toyota comes up with a very powerful engine in the competition and has the best acceleration figures. The Chevy shares the same powertrain as the GMC thus, sharing similar power output and acceleration figures. As for the Ford, it has a bit lower engine power but its punchy nature makes it accelerate faster.

You cannot expect fuel efficiency from big SUVs and the same goes for the Yukon. Still, the SUV manages to put out 15 MPG in the city, a decent 21 MPG highway mileage, and 17 MPG as the combined economy. Combined with a pretty huge gas tank of 26 gallons, the range is decent and it can go up to 442 miles combined per full tank. The more powerful engine found on the Denali will decrease the economy, especially on the highways by 3 miles from the standard figures.

Both the GMC and Chevy lead the segment with a slightly better fuel economy than the rest of the group. The more powerful Toyota returns the least mileage. The Expedition has a bigger advantage over the competition as it packs a slightly bigger gas tank. The GMC and Chevy have the best fuel efficiency in the segment, followed by the Ford Expedition. The Ford Expedition has higher travel ranges due to its slightly bigger fuel tank.

The Yukon’s cabin experience is amazing and is very luxurious for starters. The cabin is also spacious with up to 3 seating rows. GMC has added soft-touch materials with simulated wood trim on the dashboard, center console, and door panels and that elevates the overall opulence. The steering wheel is leather-covered and comes with heating options for the Denali. The seats come cloth-covered as standard but offer superior comfort and have enough bolstering at the front. Leather seats found on the higher trims are even better in providing comfort.

The cabin’s spaciousness is on point with the 2012 GMC Yukon and offers a lot of head, shoulder, and legroom across the cabin. But there’s a slight catch: the third row has slightly limited legroom at 25.6 inches, and to be precise, it is adequate for people of average height especially for kids. Nevertheless, the seating comfort on the third row is similar to the other rows. The cabin is filled with extra storage spaces to accommodate a few lightweight items while traveling. The cargo capacity on offer with all seats up is up to 16.9 cubic feet. It is not sufficient but as an 8-seater, it is acceptable.

All four SUVs are quite spacious but the most balanced cabin comes with the Toyota although it has a slightly lower headroom in all three rows but has a considerable amount of rear legroom. The Chevrolet, GMC, and Ford have somewhat similar in-cabin spaciousness. In terms of packing the highest cargo capacity, Ford takes the crown with its massive 55 cubic feet of standard capacity. A few of the distinctive interior features of the Yukon are as follows:

• Three-zone climate control
• Leather steering wheel with heating options
• Leather seats with 8-way power adjustability and heating options
• Cruise control
• Adjustable pedals
• Simulated wood and alloy trim
• Rearview camera

How intuitive is the 2012 GMC Yukon’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system available in the Yukon is pretty straightforward and has quite a few features like a CD player, USB connection, Bose premium sound system, and a lot more. For the 2012 model year, GMC has added a navigation system as standard with the higher trims and the package has a touchscreen display and hard drive for additional music storage. A few of the key infotainment features are:

• Satellite radio
• Bose premium audio
• Rear-seat audio control
• Hard disk drive with a CD player
• Auxiliary audio input
• USB connection
• Element antenna
• Separate rear audio

The 2012 GMC Yukon has been carrying the big bulky American SUV look since its launch and the same goes for the current model year. The front fascia has the beefed-up massive intake grille and the bold-looking clear lens headlights. The sides have a more boxy appeal with the squared-out wheel arches. 

The rear has vertical taillight strips and a right-sided single exhaust tip. The overall design of the Yukon is simple but is a beast in terms of size. The SUV has a ground clearance of 9 inches. It means that the Yukon can get off the road and experience a few adventures without much of a hassle. It weighs 5,448 pounds and is similar to other SUVs in the class.

It seems like the GM brothers are quite compact in the segment considering the Ford Expedition and Sequoia’s extended dimensions. The latter weighs much more and also has a higher ground clearance and a longer wheelbase and is followed by the Expedition. A few of the main exterior highlights are:

• 20-inch chrome alloy wheels
• Heated mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Rear parking sensors
• Turn signal on the mirrors

GMC has made the Yukon tough with the robust build quality and a sturdy chassis and that is complemented with a set of safety features making it extremely safe on the road. The NHTSA has rated the GMC Yukon 4-star which is decent and the only thing where the rating fell is in the rollover category. The IIHS has not rated the SUV yet. A few of the safety features that are worth mentioning are:

• 4-wheel ABS with traction control
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Post-collision safety system
• Stability control
• Electronic brake force distribution
• Blindspot warning accident avoidance system
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation

The 2012 GMC Yukon is a great SUV with a lot of features and a very comfortable cabin. It is also more fuel-efficient than the competition. The overall package makes it a more accessible option in the competition. However, if you seek more power and practicality then rivals like the Ford Expedition are better.