The 2022 GMC Yukon faces off against a few direct rivals. They include the Chevrolet Tahoe, which is the Yukon’s corporate twin, the well-rounded Ford Expedition, and the all-new three-row Jeep Wagoneer.
Following a full redesign in 2021 that brought new styling, new technology features, and an available diesel engine, the GMC Yukon enters 2022 with only minor changes.
This large three-row SUV has seating for up to nine passengers and plenty of space for cargo if you fold the third-row seat down. Being a truck-based SUV, the 2022 GMC Yukon also boasts robust towing capabilities.
The 2022 GMC Yukon is a large three-row SUV that typically seats seven to nine passengers, depending on the configuration. It is sold in four trim levels: SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
Each trim comes with progressively more features, but note that certain features detailed below may or may not be available on a particular vehicle due to the chip shortage and international supply chain issues.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Similar to the last-generation Yukon, two V-8 engines are offered: a 355-hp 5.3-liter and a 420-hp 6.2-liter. In addition to those gasoline-burning engines, GMC also offers a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six that makes a whopping 460 pound-feet of torque and should be the choice for buyers who intend to tow heavy items.
All models come with a 10-speed automatic transmission operated by a push-button panel on the dashboard and will offer either rear- or all-wheel drive.
An off-road-oriented AT4 model is also available and features a two-speed transfer case, 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and an optional air suspension capable of offering up to two more inches of ground clearance.
When we tested a loaded Denali model with the 6.2-liter V-8, we recorded a 6.0-second zero-to-60-mph time and noted significantly improved braking performance over the last generation model.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The 2022 GMC Yukon isn’t particularly fuel-efficient, but it does slightly better in the city than the last generation model. Yukons equipped with the smaller 5.3-liter V-8 are the most efficient gasoline-powered models and earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined.
The turbo-diesel engine is predictably more efficient, earning ratings of up to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, our Denali test vehicle delivered 20 mpg. For more information about the 2022 GMC Yukon’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Available in a variety of flavors—from base SLE spec to luxurious Denali—the Yukon and long-wheelbase Yukon XL promise seating for up to eight passengers, although ordering the popular second-row captain’s chairs will lower the total seating capacity to seven. Denali models offer a unique interior design with a wood-trimmed dashboard and hand-stitched leather upholstery.
A novel power-sliding center console is available in SLT and AT4 models (it’s standard on the Denali) and allows the driver to motor the center console back and forth over a 10-inch track to make room for bulkier first-row cargo such as a purse or backpack and stash other smaller items out of sight in hidden cubbies.
Cargo capacity is generous, especially in the larger XL model, which offers a whopping 145 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with all of its seats stowed. That’s more than its cross-town rival, the Ford Expedition Max (which has 122 cubic feet behind its front row of seats).
The standard-length 2022 GMC Yukon provided enough space for six carry-on cases behind its third-row seats. With the third and second rows stowed, we fit 35.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All GMC Yukon models come with a large infotainment display with GMC’s latest infotainment interface and we’ve found the system easy to use. SLE, SLT, and AT4 models feature a display that stands tall in the center of the dashboard, but the Denali’s is surrounded by bright chrome and is embedded in the dashboard for a more sophisticated look.
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard equipment; navigation and a Bose audio system are both optional features.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features are offered, but GMC only offers basic tech as standard, forcing buyers to pay extra for more advanced ones. For more information about the 2022 GMC Yukon’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
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Full Specifications
2021 GMC Yukon Denali 4WD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-/4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$83,795 (base price: $72,695)
ENGINE TYPE
pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
376 in3, 6162 cm3
Power
420 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque
460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/trailing arms
Brakes (F/R): vented disc/vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02, 275/50R-22 111H M+S TPC SPEC 3156MS
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 120.9 in
Length: 210.0 in
Width: 81.0 in
Height: 76.5 in
Passenger volume: 178 ft3
Cargo volume: 26 ft3
Curb weight: 6007 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
100 mph: 15.4 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
1/4 mile: 14.5 sec @ 97 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 112 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 183 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.73 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 20 mpg
Highway range: 480 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 16/14/19 mpg
