2020 GMC Yukon

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Rating7.4

Ranked #3 in 

Fullsize SUV
Write Review
$49,600 - $69,700
Starting Price 
Aakash Gupta's image
Aakash Gupta 

Content Writer,

Updated on June 7, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Seats nine people

Cumbersome maneuverability due to large size

No major changes

Impressive towing capacity

The Denali trim is expensive

Top-notch fit and finish inside the cabin

Limited standard safety features

Plethora of options

Powerful engines

Great reliability ratings

Specs & Features

$49,600

price

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

horsepower

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

5.3L 8cyl RWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2020 GMC Yukon remains unchanged this year and is out for sale at a base price tag of $49,600 while the Denali trim is priced at $66,700. Two engines are on offer- a 355-hp V8 and a 420-hp V8, the latter only available on the Denali trim. Both the engines offer great performance despite the SUV's bulky size and have a class-leading towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. 

The Yukon's cabin is attractive as it uses high-end materials. it is spacious enough to carry up to 9 passengers and is filled with lots of interior features. The Yukon also offers a decent list of driver aids and boasts top reliability ratings in its class. The Yukon competes against the Ford Expedition, the Toyota Sequoia, and the Nissan Armada

Buying Advice

The base SLE trim will satisfy most of the buyers as it comes packed with a lot of standard features. You do need to upgrade to the Enhanced Driver Alert package for getting access to top active safety features. We also recommend the Convenience package that adds more comfort features to the list. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Historically thought of as a towing workhorse, the 2020 GMC Yukon still performs this function brilliantly- Autotrader

The massive cargo capacity along with monstrous towing capability makes the GMC Yukon a perfect SUV for those who need all the practicality along with the stylish persona that comes with it. Two powerful engines keep this bulky SUV active and energetic. Inside, it can provide space for up to 9 passengers and offers a ton of standard features. Top advanced safety techs make the Yukon a safe vehicle. 

For a large SUV, the Yukon has low ownership costs, which is really astounding. In a year, it costs close to $11,800 including maintenance, repair, fuel, etc. The Yukon has a decent gas mileage compared to its rivals. According to our calculations, the miles per dollar ratio is 5.68. Another area where the Yukon excels is reliability. With a score of 84 points, the Yukon ranks second below the Armada. 

Buying Advice

The base SLE trim will satisfy most of the buyers as it comes packed with a lot of standard features. You do need to upgrade to the Enhanced Driver Alert package for getting access to top active safety features. We also recommend the Convenience package that adds more comfort features to the list. 

Features
6.5/10

The 2020 GMC Yukon is well-equipped from the start, while the Denali model is a downright luxury vehicle, with a price to match- The Car Connection

The GMC Yukon comes in four trims- SLE, SLT Standard Edition, SLT, and Denali. The Yukon starts from $49,600 for the SLE trim and it goes up to $69,700 for the top-end Denali trim. These prices exclude a destination charge of $1,295. Every Yukon is available in RWD and 4WD configurations. The Yukon stands out in the large SUV segment for offering an extended list of standard features.

Yet, there are a few optional packages available to enhance the Yukon's feature list. The Convenience package adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable foot pedals, and a power tailgate. Exclusive to the Denali trim is the Denali ultimate package that adds power-retractable running boards, a 9-month subscription to SiriusXM, and 22-inch wheels. 

Trims

SLE

SLT Standard Edition

SLT

Denali

MSRP (RWD)

$49,600

$54,800

$57,600

$66,700

MSRP (4WD) $52,600 $57,800 $60,600 $69,700

Key Features

8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

Adds/ Upgrades to SLE trim

Adds/ Upgrades to SLT Standard Edition trim

Adds/ Upgrades to SLT trim

 

18-inch alloy wheels

Enhanced Driver Alert package

Ventilated front leather seats

Unique chrome front grille

 

Rearview camera

Leather seats

Heated second-row seats

Magnetic Control Ride suspension
  9-speaker Bose premium audio system

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Power-folding third-row  Head-up display
 

Tri-zone automatic climate control

Power tailgate

Power-adjustable steering column

HID headlamps
  Voice commands Power-adjustable foot pedals Hands-free tailgate Second-row captain chairs
  Power front cloth seats   Push-button start 10-speaker Bose premium audio system
  Remote keyless entry   Proximity keyless entry Navigation system
  Remote start   Heated steering wheel Active noise cancellation
      Blind-spot monitoring  
      Rear cross-traffic alert  

 

Fuel Economy
6.7/10

If you're looking for fuel economy, you're not going to find it here- Carbuzz

One good reason to buy the GMC Yukon is the fuel economy. With the base engine, the MPG figures are 15 MPG in the city, 22 MPG on a highway, and 18 MPG combined. Opting for the 4WD system cuts off combined mileage by 1 MPG. The Yukon Denali with the 6.2L V8 returns 14 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on a highway, and 17 MPG combined. 

With the 4WD system equipped, the fuel ratings remain the same. The Yukon gets a large 26-gallon fuel tank. At its full capacity, the Yukon can drive up to 468 miles combined with the V6.  If equipped with the bigger V8, it loses on the driving range and pushes the figure further down 442 miles. For an SUV that weighs nearly 5,500 pounds, fuel economy and range are really good. 

Models

2020 GMC Yukon

2020 Ford Expedition

2020 Nissan Armada

2020 Toyota Sequoia

MPG (City)

15

17

14

13

MPG (Highway)

22

24

19

17

MPG (Combined)

18

20

16

15

Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallon) 26.0 25.0 26.0 26.4
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 390/572/468 425/600/500 364/494/416 343/449/396

The Ford Expedition seems to be the best here but keep in mind that it uses a V6 while the Yukon has a V8. The Nissan Armada's fuel efficiency is not bad for an SUV that produces 390 horsepower. However, the Toyota Sequoia has the worst fuel estimates in this segment. Overall, the Yukon is the best option in terms of mileage if compared to other V8 offerings from the competition. 

Interior
6.7/10

Just about every surface in the Denali is dressed up with something, helping it feel a bit more upscale- Edmunds

The interior of the GMC Yukon looks tasteful and attractive while the Denali trim ups the game with top-notch cabin materials. It has a seating configuration of 7, 8, and 9, depending on the type of seats chosen. The front seats are well-cushioned and bolstered. Power-adjustable front seats are standard but heated and ventilated functionality is available on higher trims. The Yukon sits high off the ground and gives you a commanding position on the road while driving.

Getting into the Yukon's cabin is made easy by standard running boards. Six-footers will enjoy at the front due to ample passenger space. The second-row seats also provide good comfort and they can recline and slide fore and aft to provide legroom for the third-row occupants. Speaking of the third row, headroom is healthy but the legroom offered can be claustrophobic for adults. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your kids seated in the third row. 

An 8-inch touchscreen handles the infotainment duties in the Yukon and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This infotainment system is widely credited for its easy-to-use interface. The graphics quality is clean though navigating through the menus may confuse you. All the physical controls are laid neatly on the dashboard. A 9-speaker Bose premium audio system is standard but the Denali trim adds one more speaker. 

Models

2020 GMC Yukon

2020 Ford Expedition

2020 Nissan Armada

2020 Toyota Sequoia

Passenger Capacity

8

8

8

8

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

42.8/64.8/45.3

42.0/64.9/43.9

40.9/63.8/41.9

34.8/66.4/42.5

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.7/65.1/39.0

40.0/64.8/41.5

40.0/63.4/41.0

34.9/65.6/40.9

Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.1/62.6/24.8

37.3/64.2/36.1

36.4/60.5/28.3

34.5/65.7/35.3

Cargo Space (cu-ft.)

15.3

19.3

16.5

18.9

In terms of cargo space, the Yukon does not disappoint but the high tailgate might be an issue for some while loading and unloading luggage. The Yukon offers 15.3 cu-ft. of cargo space and folding down the third row increases the figure to 51.7 cubic feet. Folding the second row pushes the figure to 94.7 cubic feet which is almost as good as smaller cargo vans but still, the competition outperforms the Yukon. Some other important Yukon's cabin highlights are:

  • Power tilt & telescopic multi-function leather heated steering wheel
  • 12-way power front heated & ventilated seats
  • Heated second-row seats
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Cloth & leather upholstery
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • Push-button start
  • Footwell lights
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Wireless charging
  • 10-speaker Bose premium audio system
  • Navigation system

Exterior
6.7/10

Any prospective buyers planning to keep their new Yukon in a garage should get out the tape measure- Kelly Blue Book

The Yukon gets a planar front grille design whereas the Denali's chrome grille has a more open design with offset bars. Regardless of trim levels, the boxy headlamps continue to be HIDs on the Denali and halogen on the other trims but fog lamps are standard on all trim levels. The Yukon gets a ground clearance of 8 inches which is comparatively less than other large SUVs.  

The wheel arches house 18-inch alloy wheels but 22-inch alloys are optional. The Yukon offers a different wheel design for every taste.  The Yukon is the widest and the lowest of the bunch which gives it a meaner look and better handling as compared to the rest of the bunch. Around the back, the boxy design continues with a large chrome piece in the middle and LED taillights on either side. 

Models

2020 GMC Yukon

2020 Ford Expedition

2020 Nissan Armada

2020 Toyota Sequoia

Curb Weight (lbs)

5,379

5,368

5,577

5,730

Length (in)

203.9

210.0

208.9

205.1

Width (in)

80.5

79.9

79.9

79.9

Height (in)

74.4

76.6

75.8

77.0

Ground Clearance (in)

8.0

9.8

9.1

9.9

Wheelbase (in)

116.0

122.5

121.1

122.0

The Ford Expedition has the widest wheelbase among its rivals. Hence, its third row is more spacious. At 9.9 inches, the Toyota Sequoia has the highest ground clearance in this segment, good enough for off-roading. The Nissan Armada is longer than the Yukon by exactly 5 inches. This can be a pain in your back while trying to park at tight spots. Given below are some exterior features of the Yukon:

  • HID auto high-beam headlamps
  • LED DRLs
  • Fog lamps
  • LED taillights
  • Puddle lamps
  • Door courtesy lights
  • Power-folding exterior mirrors
  • Chrome roof rails
  • Chrome bodyside moldings
  • Chrome grille with active grille shutters
  • Black running boards
  • Chrome window trim
  • Rear roofline spoiler
  • 18 & 22-inch alloy wheels

Safety
7.0/10

Driver assistance features are optional on the base SLE trim and come as part of the Enhanced Driver Alert package- MotorTrend

Only NHTSA has crash-tested the GMC Yukon. It gave a four out of five stars overall for its crashworthiness. Individually, the Yukon scored five stars for the side-impact crash test, four stars for the frontal crash test, and three stars for the rollover crash test. These ratings imply that the Yukon is a safe vehicle. 

The Yukon is jam-packed with safety features but only a few of them are standard. Therefore, the SLE trim comes with an optional $545 Enhanced Driver Alert package that adds a decent list of driver-assist features. The other models add more standard safety features. Some of them include:

  • Teen Driver
  • Rearview camera
  • Front & rear parking sensors
  • Forward collision warning
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Auto high-beam headlights
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Low-speed automatic emergency braking
  • Safety alert seat
  • Head-up display

Competition
7.0/10

2020 GMC Yukon vs 2020 Ford Expedition 

The Ford Expedition retails higher than the Yukon but that extra cost is definitely worth it. Defying its heavy curb right, it offers brisk acceleration and is the most efficient large SUV in its class. It also boasts class-leading towing capacity. On the inside, the Expedition is roomier and offers an enormous cargo space. The Yukon offers more standard features but the Expedition provides a long list of standard safety features.

2020 GMC Yukon vs 2020 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is the most affordable SUV in the class. The Armada's base engine is powerful but the Yukon's optional engine is more potent. In terms of fuel economy, the Armada is behind the Yukon. The Armanda's interior has a good first impression with a slightly spacious third-row but fails to offer modern infotainment features. The Armada offers more useful safety features as standard. 

2020 GMC Yukon vs 2020 Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Sequoia's base engine makes more power but the Yukon has better handling characteristics. Also, the Sequoia's towing capacity and fuel economy are a bit less than the Yukon. The passenger space in the third row and cargo capacity are both greater than the Yukon but the cabin's layout feels outdated. Toyota's Safety Sense P suite of top driver aids is standard in the Sequoia, the main winning point. 

Final Verdict

The 2020 GMC Yukon offers a host of features even at the base trim which none of the competition does. The interior is plush and luxurious, the exterior is clean and traditional in terms of looks and the option to upgrade the engine to a bigger 6.2L V-8 turns the Yukon into a whole different animal. The new Graphite performance edition for 2020 looks and performs tremendously.

Trims

    SLE
    $49,600 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Heated mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    SLT
    $54,800 onwards
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Keyless entry and ignition
    • Leather upholstery
    • Ventilated front seats
    Denali
    $66,700 onwards
    • Engine: 6.2L 8cyl RWD 10A
    • Horsepower: 420 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.3 sec
    • Top Speed: 112 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 17 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$49,600- $69,700

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.38

Horsepower

420 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

Capacity

8

Read Review

$40,000- $56,100

Gasoline

7.03

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

7

Read Review

$75,195- $95,295

Gasoline

7.16

420 hp @ 5600 rpm

460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

7

Read Review

$49,700- $68,500

Gasoline

7.35

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

-

Read Review

$46,800- $65,700

Gasoline

7.3

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

9

Read Review

$29,800- $54,395

Gasoline

6.45

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

8

Read Review

$30,795- $62,995

Gasoline

6.94

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$48,990- $77,085

Gasoline

7.69

375 hp @ 5000 rpm

470 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

8

Read Review

$32,765- $58,250

Gasoline

7.2

300 hp @ 5500 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

7

Read Review

$76,185- $97,135

Gasoline

8.02

450 hp @ 5500 rpm

510 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

7

Read Review

2020 GMC Yukon vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.2 sec14 sec134 mph
    5.1 sec13.7 sec115 mph
    5.5 sec14 sec120 mph
    5.9 sec14.4 sec142 mph
    6.2 sec14.8 sec-
    6.6 sec15 sec114 mph

    2020 GMC Yukon vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      15 mpg22 mpg18 mpg26 gal.390/572 mi.
      25 mpg30 mpg27 mpg16.6 gal.415/498 mi.
      21 mpg28 mpg24 mpg19.2 gal.375.9/501.2 mi.
      21 mpg27 mpg23 mpg19.3 gal.405.3/521.1 mi.
      20 mpg24 mpg22 mpg18.6 gal.372/446.4 mi.
      18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg19.4 gal.349.20/523.80 mi.

      2020 GMC Yukon vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        203.9 in.80.5 in.74.4 in.8 in.116 in.
        224.4 in.80.5 in.74.4 in.7.9 in.130 in.
        210 in.79.9 in.76.4 in.9.7 in.122.5 in.
        210 in.79.9 in.76.6 in.9.8 in.122.5 in.
        208.9 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.1 in.121.1 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.

        2020 GMC Yukon vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2020 GMC Yukon

          Ranked #11

          15.3 cu.ft.98.2 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.
          16.5 cu.ft.115.3 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          62.6 cu.ft.63.2 cu.ft.121.7 cu.ft.
          19.3 cu.ft.-103.3 cu.ft.
          20.6 cu.ft.153.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.

          2020 GMC Yukon vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            55.8 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.-
            103.3 cu.ft.19.3 cu.ft.103.3 cu.ft.79 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.87.8 cu.ft.-
            61 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.98 ft.
            103.9 cu.ft.62.6 cu.ft.121.7 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.104.6 cu.ft.-

            2020 GMC Yukon vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              8500 lbs.1690 lbs.5379 lbs.
              9300 lbs.1750 lbs.5368 lbs.
              8600 lbs.1620 lbs.5673 lbs.
              8600 lbs.1720 lbs.5355 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1723 lbs.5577 lbs.
              8300 lbs.1460 lbs.5311 lbs.

              2020 GMC Yukon SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              3

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              16

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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