2010 GMC Yukon: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 GMC Yukon lineup should see no major changes. These large SUVs seat up to nine passengers and share their basic designs with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban as well as the premium Cadillac Escalade. This report covers the Yukon and extended wheelbase Yukon XL. Compared to the Yukon, XL models are about 14 inches longer in wheelbase, 20 inches longer overall, and have nearly 30 cu ft more cargo volume. Yukon XL comes in half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 configurations.

Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 should continue to come in SLE, SLT, and luxury Denali models. The XL 2500 should come as the SLE or SLT. All should be available with rear-wheel drive. SLE and SLT should have optional full-time 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Denalis likely will remain available with all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Likely remaining standard on 2WD Yukon SLE is a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. All remaining Yukons and XLs should have a 310-hp 5.3-liter V8. Likely remaining optional on XL 1500 is a 366-hp 6.0-liter V8. XL 2500 versions should have a 352-hp 6.0 V8. The 5.3- and 366-hp 6.0-liter engines should have GM's Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Yukon Denalis should have a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8. All these Yukons would have a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2 V8 and versions of the 5.3 V8 can run on ethanol-blended E85 fuel. Maximum towing capacity for non-XL Yukons should remain 8500 lb. XL 1500 should still be able to tow up to 8100 lb, and XL 2500 up to 9600 lb.

Yukon Hybrids should continue to have a 6.0-liter V8 that pairs with an electric motor for 332 hp total. They can run on one or both of their power sources, depending on driving demand, and require no plug-in charging. Hybrids should have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and be able to tow up to 6200 lb.

Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Yukon XL models should remain available with dual-screen DVD entertainment. Denali-exclusive features should include heated and cooled front seats and a power tilt steering column. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 GMC Yukon.