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2018 GMC Yukon

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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 SLE 4x2
most popular
Price:   -  From $49,100
2018 XL SLE 4x2 Price:   -  From $51,800
2018 SLE 4x4 Price:   -  From $52,100
2018 SLT Standard Edition 4x2 Price:   -  From $54,400
2018 XL SLE 4x4 Price:   -  From $54,800
2018 XL SLT Standard Edition 4x2 Price:   -  From $57,100
2018 SLT 4x2 Price:   -  From $57,200
2018 SLT Standard Edition 4x4 Price:   -  From $57,400
2018 XL SLT 4x2 Price:   -  From $59,900
2018 XL SLT Standard Edition 4x4 Price:   -  From $60,100
2018 SLT 4x4 Price:   -  From $60,200
2018 XL SLT 4x4 Price:   -  From $62,900
2018 Denali 4x2 Price:   -  From $66,200
2018 XL Denali 4x2 Price:   -  From $68,900
2018 Denali 4x4 Price:   -  From $69,200
2018 XL Denali 4x4 Price:   -  From $71,900

Overview

The 2018 GMC Yukon adheres to the decades-old formula of abundant passenger room mixed with truck-like capability. While most family haulers have switched to lighter and smaller platforms, the brawny Yukon can still haul a load and tow a trailer without breaking a sweat. The Yukon also packs enough features and premium touches to rival some luxury-branded SUVs.

What's New for 2018

The top-trim Denali gains a 10-speed automatic transmission and new grille design. Some option packages have been revised to better reflect buying habits.

GMC Yukon

Choosing Your GMC Yukon

The Yukon's standard 5.3-liter V8 engine produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the 5.3-liter achieves an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, or 18 mpg with four-wheel drive (a $3,000 option on all models).

The Denali get its own 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque) and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup is EPA-rated at 17 mpg combined with both rear- and four-wheel drive. Low-range gearing comes standard on Denali models equipped with four-wheel drive.

The Yukon's third row folds completely into the floor, and a front bench remains available in case you need nine-passenger seating. There's a total of 95 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded. The truly huge Yukon XL, covered in a separate entry, holds up to 121.7 cubic feet.

The Yukon starts out thoroughly equipped and gets more indulgent as you move up the trim levels:

SLE

Priced from $50,395 (including the $1,295 destination charge), the SLE comes standard with front and rear parking sensors, a power driver seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition, automatic wipers, a nine-speaker Bose sound system with satellite radio, and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The SLE rolls on 18-inch polished aluminum wheels. The optional SLE Value Package ($1,930) tacks on a power liftgate, power adjustable pedals, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal home remote, and 20-inch wheels. For safety, there's the Enhanced Driver Alert Package ($545) with lane keeping assist, automatic headlights, a vibrating alert in the driver seat, and collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking. A front bench seat is available on the SLE only as a $250 option.

SLT

For $58,495, the SLT carries the SLE's major options, plus leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with passenger power and driver memory, heated second-row seats, power-folding second and third rows, and a heated power-adjustable steering wheel. Also standard are power-folding mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a wireless device charger. The Open Road Package ($2,930) outfits with SLT with a sunroof, navigation, and a Blu-Ray entertainment system. The Premium Edition ($3,070) spruces up the outside with 22-inch chrome wheels and additional chrome trim. The Enhanced Security Package ($410) offers a vehicle alarm system with interior motion detectors and vehicle incline sensors. The Heavy Duty Trailering Package for the SLE and SLT ($580) includes a trailer brake controller, an air-leveling suspension, and low-range gearing on four-wheel drive models. So equipped, the Yukon has a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

Denali

The exclusive Denali ($67,495) gets the 6.2-liter engine and 10-speed transmission, an adaptive suspension, xenon headlights, and standard 20-inch wheels. Other upgrades include a head-up display, active noise cancellation, second-row captain's chairs, navigation, and a 10-speaker surround-sound system. The interior carries upgraded leather upholstery and wood trim. Most options are bundled into the Denali Ultimate Package ($6,980), which includes adaptive cruise control, power assist steps, and everything in the SLT's Open Road, Enhanced Security, and Huvy Duty Trailering packages (if not already standard).

CarsDirect Tip

With its bevy of interior upgrades, the SLT is better suited to long-distance travel than the SLE, especially when there's a full crew aboard. The most compelling reason for stepping up to the Denali is its more powerful engine. Buying one for luxury alone is hard to justify in our view.

Get your price on a GMC Yukon »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Today's sport utility vehicles are not exactly what they used to be. Instead, most of what people call SUVs these days are more accurately referred to as a "crossovers" because they are a compromise between the utility of a traditional SUV and the driving characteristics of the cars they often share underpinnings with. On the other hand, the 2018 GMC Yukon (along with its cheaper Chevrolet Tahoe brother) remains a traditional truck-based sport utility vehicle with a body-on-frame construction and a choice of either big or huge V8 engines. It may not tout impressive fuel economy ratings or driving characteristics compared to today's crossovers, but the Yukon is one of only SUVs left that can haul a boat with ease over long distances while carrying a family of four with enough room in the back for everything they need for a week long vacation.

Best Value

The best value for the 2018 Yukon is with the mid-range SLT trim. The bottom rung SLE trim doesn't offer much more than a base level Chevy Tahoe, which is almost $2,000 less than the Yukon. The nearly $10,000 jump to the Denali trim is also pretty hard to justify unless you want the larger 6.2-liter engine or desire a less conspicuous alternative to the Cadillac Escalade.

Therefore, the SLT is just right with standard leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second row seats, and a power-folding third row. It also comes standard with some driver assistance features, like low-speed automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert. We'd forgo the $3,000 four-wheel drive option, as the Yukon is more of a road-trip hauler rather than an off-roader. Fitting with this theme, we'd spring for the Open Road Package for the rear-seat Blu-Ray entertainment system and satellite radio. We'd also make sure our Yukon came with the Heavy Duty Trailering Package to make towing a breeze with auto-leveling suspension, trailer brake control, and an up-rated towing capability of 8,500 pounds. Finally, we'd go for the adaptive cruise control to make highway driving an absolute breeze.

Here's how our GMC Yukon SLT would add up:

  • Model: 2018 GMC Yukon SLT
  • Engine: 5.3-liter, naturally-aspirated V8
  • Output: 355 hp/ 383 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed Automatic
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
  • MPG: 16 City / 23 Hwy
  • Options: Open Road Package ($2,930, sunroof, rear-seat Blu-Ray entertainment system, satellite radio), Heavy Duty Trailering Package ($580, air-leveling suspension, trailer brake controller, 3.42 axle ratio), Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking ($895).
  • Base Price:$58,495 (including a $1,295 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price:$62,900

Performance

GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon can be equipped with one of two engines and is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The SLE and SLT models receive the 5.3-liter V8 with an output of 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, alongside a six-speed automatic transmission. Denali trims receive a larger 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, which makes the huge Yukon appreciably faster in a straight line. Surprisingly though, the standard engine option allows for the highest rated towing capacity across the Yukon line in rear-wheel drive models, with the Denali's engine suffering a tow-rating deficit of a couple hundred pounds despite the increased power.

The Yukon weighs about 7,000 pounds once fully loaded with passengers, cargo and fuel, so you can't expect it to handle like a sports car. That said, it does acquit itself better than you'd expect in the corners with communicative steering and reduced body roll. The Yukon does focus heavily on ride comfort, especially when equipped with the auto-leveling suspension or the Denali's magnetic shocks.

While fuel economy is certainly not at the forefront of many Yukon purchasers, the big SUV does surprisingly well. The standard engine returns a combined rating of 19 mpg in rear-drive models and 18 mpg in four-wheel-drive examples, while Denali models have a combined rating of 17 mpg for either drivetrain option. This is due in part to both engine's cylinder deactivation feature as well as aerodynamic enhancements that allow the Yukon to cut through the air better.

Style

The exterior styling of the Yukon is very well done. It manages to look more upscale than the Chevrolet Tahoe, which helps justify the increased cost but it also avoids looking too ostentatious or flashy. This holds true even in the top-level Denali trim, which adds a considerable amount of chrome and unique wheels. While it's an expensive vehicle, the Yukon doesn't advertise the owner's wealth like a Cadillac Escalade. It maintains a blue-collar feel despite its price, which is something many similarly priced-vehicles lack.

Inside, the interior is very well styled and optioned at all trims with high-end materials, befitting that of a luxury vehicle. While the SLE receives cloth seats, the SLT and the Denali receive standard leather upholstery that feels great. The seats are comfortable and supportive, although you may want to consider upgrading to the larger Yukon XL if you'd like the third row to be comfortable for adults. Uniquely, the Yukon is one of the last vehicles left on the market that offer a front bench seat, available on the SLE trim only. There are also a huge amount of interior storage options in the Yukon, perfect for families.

The Best and Worst Things

The Yukon's best and worst attribute is its size. On one hand, it's capable of tasks that you can only otherwise manage in pickup trucks, while also providing a spacious, comfortable, and upscale interior for the whole family. The Yukon's size is completely necessary for a portion of the population who need a vehicle that can provide those characteristics.

On the other hand, the Yukon's size can be a detriment as well. Parking can be a pain, and the fuel economy is just not practical for daily kid-hauling duties. For people who don't need to tow large loads, a luxury crossover would probably be a much better all-around option.

Right For? Wrong For?

GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon is perfect for two types of people. The first is families who need the ability to tow, whether that is a boat, horse trailer, or a larger camper trailer, but still want to have a luxurious and comfortable interior for all passengers. Blue-collar professionals should also take note. The GMC Yukon is a luxurious vehicle, especially in Denali trim, but it remains a vehicle of the working man. It would be far better to show up at a construction site in a Yukon Denali over a Mercedes GLS-class.

The Yukon is not a great vehicle for your average family man or woman, though. It's far bigger than necessary for hauling kids around, and there are many more fuel efficient options as well. Unless you need the towing capabilities of the Yukon, you'd probably better off with a standard crossover.

The Bottom Line

The Yukon is one of the last unapologetically large SUVs. It's great at towing, it can people and stuff in borderline obnoxious quantities, and it's well equipped enough to earn the moniker of "luxury SUV." It also manages to feel more down-to-earth than many other similarly priced vehicles. However, the Yukon is large and thirsty, and it can be a pain to deal with in day to day driving.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
5.3L V-8 / 355 HP / 383 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd TAPshift w/OD
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
16 / 23 / 19 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
8 / 9
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
5.3L V-8 / 355 HP / 383 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
16 / 23 / 19 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc / Brembo 4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Short And Long Arm
Rear Suspension
Rigid Axle Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank
26.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$100
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
94.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
203.9 "
Exterior Width
80.5 "
Exterior Height
74.4 "
Front Headroom
42.8 "
Rear Headroom
38.7 "
Front Legroom
45.3 "
Rear Legroom
39.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
64.8 "
Rear Shoulder Room
65.1 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
5,379 Lbs.
Wheel Base
116 "
Turning Radius
19.5 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Machined Aluminum / 20.0 " Polished Aluminum / 22.0 " Chrome Aluminum / 22.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Machined Aluminum / 22.0 " Black Aluminum / 22.0 " Silver W/painted Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Silver W/chrome Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers
Body-colored / Front Body-colored With 2 Front Tow Hook(s) / Black
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround / Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
8 / 9
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket / 40-20-40 Split-bench
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(4-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Intellilink Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock / Intellilink Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
9 Bose
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
5 / 4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Alert With Automatic Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keep Assist With Lane Departure Warning Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Intellibeam Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Front And Rear Park Assist Front And Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Pass-key Iii
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
12 Months / 12,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
72 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2018 GMC Yukon for Sale

4 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
GMC
SLT
Color: Silver
Price

$31,888

Mileage

82,701 mi

Map location icon

Auto Republic Fullerton (26 mi)

Phone: (714) 215-9142
GMC
SLT
Color: Summit White
Price

$34,498

Mileage

51,940 mi

Map location icon

Glendale INFINITI (17 mi)

Phone: (720) 563-9292
GMC
Denali
Color: Iridium Metallic
Price

$38,972

Mileage

71,454 mi

Map location icon

Penske Chevrolet of Cerritos (20 mi)

Phone: (562) 924-1676
GMC
Denali
Color: Iridium Metallic
Price

$43,991

Mileage

37,286 mi

Map location icon

Penske Buick GMC of Cerritos (20 mi)

Phone: (562) 733-7388
See All Used Car Listings

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