For 2017, the GMC Yukon XL now adds automatic low-speed emergency braking to the existing forward collision warning system and a teen-driver management system. Cooled seats have now been replaced with ventilated seats, the input capability for the rear entertainment system has been updated, and a head-up instrument display is standard with the Denali trim.
Pros Seating for up to nine passengers Nicer interior than other truck-based, full-size SUVs All-terrain mobility with four-wheel drive Tow rating is higher than average for the class.
Cons The Yukon XL's size and weight make it less maneuverable around town Lazy throttle response makes it feel weaker than it is Only the base model delivers nine-passenger capacity Utility of cargo space is compromised by a high load floor.
In the world of full-size family SUVs, the 2017 GMC Yukon stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Yukon, with its longer sibling, the Yukon XL, is more modern in design than the aging Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia, yet its abilities are in full view, reminding all competitors that this slick big rig is still a workhorse at heart. While SLE and SLT trim get by with a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8, the Denali trims are equipped with a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter unit that knows no equal in this class. And while it’s true the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator can tow more weight, neither can match the Yukon’s cutting-edge styling, driver assists or optional technology features.
Pros If you need the big hauling, towing and cargo abilities of a full-size SUV, GMC’s Yukon, Yukon XL and Denali SUVs for 2017 have all the bases covered. You’ll get style, supreme luxury and cutting-edge features, plus with the XL, added space that a Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia can’t match.
Cons The 2017 GMC Yukon XL is a big SUV that at times can feel like a bull in a china shop. If you just need room for seven or eight passengers, a more maneuverable midsize-crossover SUV like the GMC Acadia Limited, Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer might be a better choice.
