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2015 Yukon in the Yukon
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The GMC carries more of the Cadillac styling traits, but is not quite as “over the top.”
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While there may be quite a few buttons on the dash, the system as a whole is quite easy to figure out.
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There is just no beating the cargo carrying capability of the Yukon XL, 433L with all seats up, 2,682L with all seats down.
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The Yukon has good off-road potential, but low overhangs make it difficult to not hit things.
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On the fly 4WD with 4Low option is good to see, and I really like the Heads Up Display.
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Story and photos by Budd Stanley
Gold Nuggets, Show Girls and EcoTec3’s in the far North.
Fresh from discovering Chevrolet’s all-new 2015 Tahoe and Suburban only a few short months ago, I figured there wouldn’t be much to write about when it came to the two big SUV’s upscale brothers - the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. However, after a trip to explore the Yukon (the SUV)… by exploring the Yukon (the Canadian Territory, how fitting)… I found somewhere between a Whitehorse and a Sourtoe that the Yukon is not the sum of stereotypes.
My initial thought was that the GMC variant would just be a re-badged clone of the Chevrolet equivalents. And while the platforms are nearly identical, the front fascia, trim details and standard options are what make the Yukon stand apart. I’m not a fan of the exterior styling but beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. The interior on the other hand, has won me over with a fresh new and distinctly upscale design that gives the Yukon a slightly highbrow attitude to the Chevrolet, but not completely over the top. That’s what GM likes to say, and I take no shame in relaying the compliment.
The seats are extremely comfortable, starting right from the “firm but pleasant” third row, progressively getting larger and more comfortable moving forward. Sending journalists on an eight-hour road trip through the wilds of the Yukon shows a massive amount of confidence in the comfort these vehicles provide, and comfortable they were. Rolling into Dawson around dinnertime, my rather fragile back had no complaints from hour after hour spent at the wheel. It also has to be said that I would rate the second and third rows to be the finest on market. The amount of space second row passengers possess feels greater than your average Yaletown dwelling, while the third row is simply the finest popup seats my butt has ever fallen into, complimenting two full-size adults with ease.
Comfort continues when it comes to road noise, the triple sealed confines of the Yukon are eerily quiet, even while traveling at triple digit speeds down highways that get little maintenance. The entire interior is cloaked in soft touch materials and has a distinctly stylish appearance. Match this to the ease of which to operate the myriad of onboard techno-goodies such as OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, GM has come leaps and bounds with the quality of their interiors, from being my most disappointing to most admiring attribute among all GM’s brands. My vehicle was the optional 7-seater that allowed cavernous amounts of space in the rear when the two back rows were folded flat, either manually or by pushbuttons placed at the rear hatch.
Lowering sidesteps are an excellent option that does not hinder break over angles, but they scratch easily and make a rather annoying noise during operation. Every time I got in and out of the Yukon, a pneumatic racket would emanate from the rocker area as the Yukon groaned to make my ingress more civilized. The idea is fantastic, but the actuation is a little suspect, especially for something that will likely gather a fair amount of dirt and salt over several years of operation.
Getting to the business end of the vehicle, the 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 is all the engine you will ever need, however Denali owners will have a little extra bragging rights as they have the power of a 420 hp 6.2L V-8 lurking behind the right foot. The 5.3L can suck you back into the drivers seat with respectable force, but there is no denying the addictive powers of the 6.2L, its just a big powerful American V-8 that pulls the Denali like a locomotive, and makes all the right sounds while doing it. Despite bigger power and towing capacity, the big Denali is surprisingly fuel-efficient. With some hard acceleration pulls and 4-Low off-roading, I still managed 12.8L/100km in real world conditions. Discipline your urge to hear the big V-8 scream and high 11’s is quite attainable on the highway. What’s even better is that GM has an 8-speed transmission currently in production that will make its way into the Yukon line at the end of the year that will no doubt improve both performance and fuel-efficiency even more.
On the road, the Yukon feels big but is quite sure footed, even more so on the Denali with standard Magnetic Ride Control. On tarmac, the system almost completely kills body roll, while being absolutely sublime over rough terrain, washboard is only slightly noticeable and even large pots are soaked up enough with only a slight thump communicating that you hit something. That is until you find its limits, hit a long series of deep potholes at speed and soon the dampening cannot keep in sync with the terrain, which can make the rear-end step out. The shocks are tuned to rebound softly during fast drops, followed by a soft compression when the tire hits the far side of a pothole. Overload the system and things can go sideways, literally, but no mater, there are several other driving aids ready to catch you if you’re feeling like a rally racer in the woods.
And so, we come to the off-roading characteristics. Like the Chevrolet’s, we have good news and bad. The good news is the Yukon comes with a proper two-speed transfer case and 4WD drivetrain. The bad news is that a massive wheelbase and low front air dam completely destroys any approach and breakover angle clearances. This is the price one must pay for a quiet and fuel-efficient ride, however the lower skirt can be removed raising clearances slightly. Regardless, in the gold mining region around Dawson it wasn’t hard to find quite a few area’s to test the Yukon’s off-road abilities. In deep sand and loose gravel, its weight can play havoc on slopes, but the massive 22-inch Bridgestone Dueler Alenza’s worked admirably for the easy conditions the clearances held me to. The pushbutton 4WD system worked flawlessly, shifting into 4-Low quickly, while a limited slip rear end meant that traction from the rear tires was predictable. It’s a vehicle that has potential, but really could use some air suspension or adjustable air dams to make it a little more credible when things get dirty.
Is it a dedicated off-roader? No, not even close, but for people looking to carry large sums of passengers or cargo with the confidence of a proper 4WD drivetrain, the Yukon excels. Long distance travel or towing your trail rig into the backwoods is where the Yukon earns its keep. Get out, and get dirty and sweaty with the trail rig, than enjoy the plush luxury surroundings of the Yukon for the long trip home. For those who need a big old fashion SUV with the latest of modern day technology, the Yukon isn’t just one of few vehicles that still match this criteria, its one worth noting.
SPECIFICATIONS:
MSRP: $73,540
Price as tested: $83,210
Engine: 6.2L V-8
Power: 420 hp, 460 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
Curb Weight kg (lb): 2,623 (5,784)
Wheelbase mm (in): 2,946 (116)
Ground Clearance mm (in): 205 (8)
Approach Angle Deg: 15.3
Departure Angle Deg: 23.2
Ramp Breakover Angle: NA
Wading Depth mm (in): NA
Tow Capacity kg (lb): 2,268 (8,100)
Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): City: 16.2, Hwy: 11.4, Comb: NA