2003 GMC Yukon/Denali: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Front side airbags are optional instead of standard on Yukons for 2003, while 4-wheel steering, adjustable pedals, and a DVD entertainment system are among newly available features. Yukon is a retrimmed Chevrolet Tahoe, while the longer Yukon XL matches Chevy's Suburban. Denali and Denali XL are upscale versions of the Yukon. Cadillac's Escalade is basically a retrimmed Denali.

Yukon XL comes in half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 models; other Yukons and Denalis are 1500s. All have a rear liftgate; side-opening rear cargo doors are a $250 credit option on Yukons. These SUVs seat up to nine. Front bucket seats are standard on Denalis and are available for Yukons in place of a 3-person bench. XLs offer 2nd-row buckets, which are now optional for regular-length models, too. A 3rd-row bench seat is standard on XLs and Denalis, and is available for regular-length Yukons.

Regular-length Yukons come with a 4.8-liter V8 or an optional 5.3-liter V8. The 5.3 is standard on Yukon XL 1500s. Denalis and Yukon XL 2500s use a 6.0 V8. An 8.1-liter V8 is available for Yukon XL 2500s. All have automatic transmission with GM's Tow/Haul mode. Denalis have standard all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Others offer rear-wheel drive with standard traction control and limited-slip differential, or General Motors' Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing.

For 2003, front side airbags remain standard on Denalis, but are a $350 Yukon option. A navigation system is a new option exclusive to Denalis. All models have antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. GM's Stabilitrak antiskid system is newly standard on Denalis and optional for Yukons. GM's Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering is a new option for all XL 2500s. At low speeds, Quadrasteer turns the rear wheels opposite the fronts to reduce the turning radius. At higher speeds, all wheels turn in the same direction to enhance stability. Power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals are newly standard for Denalis and optional for Yukons. A multizone automatic climate system with front/rear controls is newly standard on Denalis and optional on Yukons. Newly optional are rear-seat DVD entertainment and XM satellite-radio service with 100-channel digital receiver. OnStar service is standard for Denalis, available for Yukons.

COMPETITION

Our Best Buys, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, are improved for 2003 with optional four-wheel steering and revised dashboards. These vehicles were new for 2000 and have improved with age. The all-new Ford Expedition gets bumped up to Best Buy status with revised styling, power 3rd-row seating, and the addition of an FX4 off-road edition.

Recommended are GMC Yukon and Toyota Sequoia. We love the size, comfort, and power of these big SUVs but wish sticker prices were a bit lower.