GMC Yukon vs. Yukon XL: How Much Bigger is the XL?
Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
No vehicle in the GMC truck lineup hauls cargo and people simultaneously as well as the long-wheelbase Yukon XL and the Yukon. Both of these
SUVs
are an eye-catching combination of a heavy-duty chassis and refined interior with amenities. When talking about luxury rides, Yukon and the XL are not likely to scrape under your radar.So, how do they compare against each other? We’ll take a look at the differences between the Yukon and Yukon XL, based on reports from
Car and Driver
. But first, we’ll cover what’s coming up in the new Yukon models.
What’s new for the 2022 GMC Yukon?
General Motors (GM) has a new-generation technology called the digital vehicle platform that they hope will help increase sales. The Yukon models will don this new tech suite in the next year.
It seems that GM wants to make the workings of the electrical system of the car as critical as the transmission and the engine. The automaker says the new overhaul is not just to make the infotainment more high-tech but also to add safety features and an electric powertrain.
The tech suite also enhances their advanced automated tech Super Cruise, which rivals Tesla in the driver-assist department. Super Cruise provides self-driving abilities using cameras, high-precision GPS, and lidar map data.
It also has the ability to monitor the driver's activity and ensure they remain focused on the road throughout the drive. That means you can drive hands-free, but you're still required to watch the road. The automaker has rolled out the tech to vehicles beyond Cadillacs in 2021, and plans to add it to many more in coming model years.
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Both the Yukon and Yukon XL got serious size upgrades
Although the Yukons are yet to get the Super Cruise tech, they still mirror Cadillacs in the style of an SUV, closely resembling the Escalade. Yukons are not just luxurious, but they have always been some of the first to feature much of GM's cutting-edge technology.
This year is no different. Both the Yukon and Yukon XL received few upgrades to their fascia, but they now stand higher and taller than previous models.
The Yukon XL is all about passenger comfort and cargo room. An adult can comfortably ride in the third row. Its wheelbase gained 4.0 inches, which makes it longer than the regular Yukon.
That means more interior space in the third row, larger cargo space, and more legroom for everyone. Cargo space increased from 121.7 to 144.7 cubic feet, enough for a couple more bags.
SLT and SLE Yukons also gained about 30% more space. The legroom for the back row of these two models saw a 10-inch increase. The cargo space was expanded to a whopping total of 122.9 cubic feet.
Despite the size upgrade, the Yukon XL still has the Yukon beat for size by over 20 cubic feet.
Yukon transmission, engine, and performance
MORE: 2023 Cadillac Lyriq leads GM's intense EV investment
Like previous generation models, both the Yukon and Yukon XL offer two engine options. First is the 5.3-liter V-8 engine that makes 335 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque on the SLE and SLT trims of both models.
The second is a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and comes on the Denali trims. If you want to tow heavy loads, GM also offers an optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that will give you 460 lb-ft of torque.
Both models come with a ten-speed automatic transmission and will offer either AWD and RWD. But there’s a brand new, more off-road-oriented model called the AT4. It features 20-inch wheels equipped with all-terrain tires, a two-speed transfer case, and underbody skid plates. It also has optional air suspensions that offer two extra inches of ground clearance.
Both of these cars aren't particularly fuel-efficient. However, they do slightly better than the previous generation, especially in the city. Equipped with the 5.3-liter engine, they get a rating of 18 mpg combined.
Predictably, the turbo-diesel engine is more fuel-efficient. The EPA gives it a rating of 20 mpg combined.
These two vehicles are a big step for Yukon and Yukon XL in the luxury SUV category. After you buy one, ensure you have affordable insurance coverage using the
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