2010 GMC Yukon Woonsocket RI

Editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the GMC Yukon range to bring you this hands-on road test. Editors have compared the Yukon with other full-size SUVs to help you in the shopping process, and TheCarConnection.com has produced a companion Full Review that condenses quotes from around the Web into a comprehensive guide to the new Yukon.

Likes
Upscale looks
Refined interior
Powerful acceleration
Hefty towing ability

Dislikes
Poor fuel economy
XL's big turning circle
Third-row seats are tight, tough to reach
Third-row seat doesn't fold flat

The imminent arrival of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids might lead you to believe that full-size SUVs are a thing of the past. Not true: GM builds many of the big profit-making machines, and with the GMC Yukon / XL / Denali lineup, it sells one of the best full-size utes on the market. Similar to the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, as well as the Cadillac Escalade , the Yukon range gets distinctive styling inside and out, a luxurious Denali trim, and a Yukon Hybrid model covered separately. With a base price of $38,000 that rises to more than $56,000, the Yukon competes with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the Cadillac Escalade , the Ford Expedition , the Lincoln Navigator , the Infiniti QX56 , and the Toyota Sequoia.

The Yukon lineup hasn't changed much since the revamped versions arrived in the 2007 model year. They're handsome machines, with good proportions and a minimum of unnecessary detailing. A big GMC grille is framed simply by tall headlamps, and big windows are in good proportion to the Yukon's tall side metal. Yukon XL are 20 inches longer than standard Yukons, and the extra length goes right into the rear windows and metal, which takes the shape out of balance, but it's still nicely drawn. The Yukon's interior has slight differences depending on seating configuration; six-seat versions have a high dash without a center console, while five-seat versions get a wide center storage console. Either shows off a quantum leap in interior quality and styling for the big SUV. There's a wide swath of wood grain trim on some versions, softly rounded corners with tight-fitting, tightly grained plastics, with options for fine leather seats. Denali versions add more luxury touches, like a honeycomb grille up front and Nuance leather and chrome details to the cabin.

With two body styles, three trim levels, and three basic engine variants, the Yukon's performance envelope could be unmanageable-but all versions have good acceleration and ride quality, light steering, and little if any handling feedback (they're huge trucks , after all), as well as pretty dismal fuel economy. Standard-issue 2010 GMC Yukons offer a standard 5.3-liter V-8 with 320 hp in the shorter Yukon and 310 hp in the longer Yukon XL.

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