2023 GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon last year came in 4 trims and there have been no major changes done to them for 2023 but GMC is introducing a new maxed-out variant of the SUV, extending the trim line to a total of 5 variants. The trim levels are SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate. The base SLE will be sold at around $57,000 and it goes all the way up to $95,000. The AT4 trim is an off-road focused vehicle and hence, comes with a unique front fascia to provide an aggressive approach angle equipped with all-terrain tires. The Denali and the new Denali Ultimate focus on luxury comfort, with the new model including every possible feature that could be stuffed. Users picking any variant below the Denali Ultimate will receive the option to add packages to further expand your convenience and comfort.

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Despite having introduced a new trim, we still believe that the SLT trim offers the most value as the prices get absurdly higher on the variants above. The SLT has rather nice leather upholstery with the front seats being heated and ventilated. The SLT can also be opted with the second-row captain seats for better comfort which is worth the money if sacrificing a single passenger space from 8 would not make much of a difference.

Release Date

GMC hasn’t officially released the launch dates for the 2023 Yukon but reports suggest that they could arrive towards the end of 2022 with an exclusive event for the debuting Denali Ultimate trim.

The fuel efficiency of the Yukon isn’t great and falls within the numbers expected from a large SUV. The base RWD variant being the most efficient runs 20 miles to the gallon on highways while the AWD variant falls down by 1 mile. The numbers stay pretty much the same even on the bigger Denali engines. However, these numbers are achieved due to the Dynamic Fuel Management System that shuts off certain cylinders when not required.

Despite not having a great fuel efficiency overall, the rivals offer even worse figures. 2023 Nissan Armada holds the biggest engine here and hence, the gas mileage of this vehicle is the least. The Ford Expedition holds the highest individual mileage figures while the Yukon steps in with a massive overall range of 494 miles in a single tank of fuel.

There aren’t any major upgrades for the base Yukon variants and most of the time has been invested in developing the new Denali Ultimate trim. The GMC Yukon is a vehicle that can accommodate 8 occupants by default and opting for the second-row captain seats reduces that to 7 passengers. However, for those who require it, GMC also offers a first-row bench seat, allowing two people to sit next to the driver. This takes the total count to 9 occupants, making the Yukon one of the best people haulers. The cabin comes finished in a fine quality leather that wraps the seats as well as the steering wheel with the dashboard covered in soft-touch material. The buttons and toggles are finished off in chrome and the massive cabin size allows the seats to be large enough to wrap around the occupant’s body. The Yukon is regarded to carry one of the most comfortable seats in the segment and functions like the heater and ventilator only make things better for the occupants.

Since both the GMC and Chevrolet are based on the same platform, they offer identical cabin space with a rather cramped third row but the Ford Expedition dominates the passenger section by offering ample roof on all rows, making it adult friendly. The Armada comes with the smallest cabin here, which is proven by its limited cargo space. Ford sacrificed some of its cargo space to achieve a roomy third row while the GMC chose to offer the largest cargo space in the segment.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 GMC Yukon include

• Power-adjustable front seats.
• Second-row captain seats.
• Heated leather steering wheel.
• Heated and ventilated front seats.
• Panoramic sunroof.
• Ambient lighting.

How intuitive is the 2023 GMC Yukon infotainment system?

The main infotainment display is a 10.2-inch unit that has crisp and clear viewing angles along with a user-friendly layout. The media system is wirelessly pairable with both IOS and Android devices and includes satellite radio along with 7 USB slots with an auxiliary port. Users can also opt for a dual-display rear seat infotainment system and a 9-speaker audio system by Bose as standard. A 14 and 18-speaker setup is reserved for the Denali trims that are not available for the standard variants even as options.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 GMC Yukon are

• 9-speaker setup by Bose
• 10.2-inch touchscreen.
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Second-row dual-display infotainment displays.
• HD satellite radio.
• Wireless phone charging.

The GMC Yukon has a very distinctive styling that is instantly recognizable and since the car received some major changes, the 2023 model will be a carryover. The front fascia boasts a massive grille with chrome accents while the AT4 replaces chrome for a matte grey material that suits the rigger character it carries. The bumper on the AT4 is different from the other models and has been redesigned along with a skid plate to give the vehicle a much more aggressive approach angle to tackle off-road with ease. The AT4 also gets larger 20-inch tires that are suitable for off-roading but the standard layout of the vehicle remains the same across all trims. The Denali trims come with a larger satin chrome grille while the new Denali Ultimate uses dark chrome accents, giving it a much more menacing look. The New model also runs on massive 22-inch 7-spoke wheels, making it stand out from the other Yukon models.

Yet again, both the GMC and the Chevrolet offer a very similar proportion but another SUV that almost matches the GMC in terms of size is the Ford Expedition. The Ford also carries better ground clearance but its larger wheelbase makes it harder than the GMC in terms of maneuverability. The Armada is slightly compact in comparison and that makes this SUV a very fun vehicle to drive.

Some of the standout exterior features include

• Rain sensing windshield wiper.
• Satin chrome finished side skirts.
• LED signature lighting.
• Horizontal tow hooks on AT4.
• Hands-free power liftgate.
• Front chrome grille.

The top agencies that test vehicles for their safety are NHTSA and IIHS. The tests comprise multiple crash assessments and minor areas which together combine to give the whole car a score based on a few guidelines. The 2023 GMC Yukon hasn’t undergone the tests yet but the outgoing model managed to score 4-stars on NHTSA, which is a rather good score. IIHS hasn’t done the test on any of the current gen Yukon but the NHTSA ratings are good enough green flags to consider in terms of the safety that Yukon provides.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 GMC Yukon are

• HD surround view camera.
• Lane keep assist with lane departure warning.
• Active lane control.
• Adaptive cruise control.
• Automatic emergency braking.
• Tire Pressure Monitor System.
• Rear cross-traffic alert.

2023 GMC Yukon vs 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe

Both these SUVs come from the same family and differentiating them in terms of the power and space offered is a rather difficult task as they are basically the same vehicle underneath. However, the GMC Yukon has a much more luxurious interior with unmatched quality, design, and comfort. This clearly justifies the additional price for the Yukon over the Tahoe and is worth the purchase.

2023 GMC Yukon vs 2023 Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is very much comparable to the Tahoe as it does provide all that the Yukon can. However, Ford faces the same fate as the Chevy as it boasts a rather plain and inferior cabin quality when compared to the Yukon. The Yukon also offers better cargo space and for all these reasons, it is worth paying the extra that the Yukon asks for.

2023 GMC Yukon vs 2023 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is the most powerful vehicle in this class but that does take a toll on the fuel efficiency. The GMC Yukon has a much better road presence and fresher design than the Armada but it does not offer the fun drive that Nissan does. It is ideal to pick the Nissan Armada if your budget is too restricted but if you seek quality, design, and comfort, the Yukon definitely takes the first spot between the two.

There isn’t much of a difference to the GMC Yukon for 2023 apart from the introduction of new trim. However, the Yukon still stands strong against its rivals and proves to be worthy of the higher price tag it carries. The fact that every trim has a very distinctive character makes it easier for the buyers to choose and unlike other vehicles in this segment, the Yukon offers unmatched quality, making it the only choice if you are looking to experience true luxury. The 2023 GMC Yukon is undoubtedly the best fullsize SUV and despite sharing the platform with Chevy, it has managed to differentiate itself very well.