All-new GMC: More style, more substance
GMC has completely redesigned the Yukon for
2007 and not a moment too soon. The Yukon, well
past its freshness date for at least a couple
of years, is much more capable, refined and attractive
inside and out.
As the most profitable vehicle in the General
Motors lineup, the Yukon bridges the gap between
the Chevy Tahoe and the Cadillac Escalade in
price and equipment. Escalade and Tahoe have
also been completely redesigned for 2007.
Essentially, two-thirds of the Yukon is identical
to the Tahoe- everything forward of the
A-pillar is different. The Escalade is different
from the front doors forward but otherwise, all
components are shared among the three vehicles.
The Yukon is available in base SLE ($34,895)
with cloth seats or SLT ($39,090) with leather
appointments, with a choice of two-wheel drive
or four-wheel drive. SLE models get a 4.8-liter
290-horsepower V-8. Four-wheel-drive SLEs and
all SLTs get a 320-horsepower 5.3-liter V-8.
A four-speed automatic is the sole transmission,
but does come with a "tow-haul" mode
button.
The top-of-the-line Yukon Denali ($48,190) is
distinctly all-wheel drive and powered exclusively
by a 380-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine mated
to a new six-speed automatic transmission. GMC
expects that 35 to 40 percent of Yukon sales
will be Denali models.
I drove a well-equipped SLT two-wheel drive
with $10,800 in options and a bottom line of
$46,840, including a $400 select package discount.
There wasn't any explanation on the window
sticker as to why the vehicle qualified for the
discount.
Yukon features wraparound front and rear fascias,
styled mirrors and integrated running boards.
The windshield is sharply angled to improve aerodynamic
performance. GMC claims that this feature improves
fuel economy and reduces wind noise.
I agree about the wind noise, but my 5.3-liter
Yukon test truck - which was rated at 16
miles per gallon in town and 21 on the highway - never
got better than 16.6 mpg on the highway and 12.8
around town. That's according to the digital
driver information center. And, those numbers
are achieved with a cylinder-deactivation system
that shuts down four cylinders in situations
like highway driving. The system is supposed
to help achieve better fuel economy. Quite dismal.
But on the positive side, the 320 horsepower
is plenty if you need to tow a boat, camper or
trailer.
The headlamps are much larger than in past models,
with detailed lighting elements and clear lenses
that feature an etched GMC logo on the headlamp
bezels. Denali models get enhanced exterior bright
work, a unique grille and 18-inch wheels (20-inch
chrome wheels are available).
Inside, the Yukon is roomier with seating for
up to nine. I especially like the new dash with
nice accent colors, brushed satin accents on
the instrument surrounds and vents, and quite
convincing plastic wood applications on the dash,
center console and door control plates.
All materials, fit and finish are much improved
over the previous Yukon. GMC even finished the
seat hardware - there are no exposed seat
tracks, even with the rear seats folded. The
overall appearance is much closer to luxury sedan
than sport utility. I'm impressed.
Yukon offers a power fold-and-tumble second-row
seat feature but the third row seats don't
fold into the floor for a flat, level cargo surface.
The seat backs fold flat with the entire assembly
tipping forward against the second row. Second-row
legroom, while improved, is still at a premium
and less than what's offered in competing
models.
Front seats are comfortable, visibility excellent;
brakes are good, not great. The ride is smooth
and the suspension absorbed most road-surface
imperfections. Handling is what you might expect
for a large SUV with noticeable body lean when
cornering. It isn't necessarily easy to
park.
Safety equipment includes stability control
with a rollover sensor, antilock brakes, tire-pressure
monitoring system and head-curtain airbags for
all three rows (optional on the SLE). Optional
safety features include a rearview camera system
designed to provide the driver with a view of
people or objects in the rearward path of the
vehicle, or a rear parking assist that provides
an audible warning when objects are in the path
of the vehicle.
The new Yukon earned the highest possible five-star
rating for front crash impacts and a three-star
rating for rollover accidents from the National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
Overall the new Yukon is a huge improvement
over the previous generation and is a compelling
choice for those who either must drive or like
to drive a vehicle of this size.
But even with its considerable and laudable improvements
the Yukon isn't significantly ahead of the
competition in this class of vehicle.
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