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The 2023 GMC Yukon is a large and stylish family SUV. We look at powertrain, towing capacity, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2023 GMC Yukon – gmc.com | Shop 2023 GMC Yukon on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 GMC Yukon?
All new two years ago, the 2023 GMC Yukon is one big, bad beast of an SUV. It can burn 22-inch rubber with a 420-horse V8 all while coddling up to nine passengers with massaging seats and 18 speakers of Bose beats. This is a long way from the original Sierra-with-a-permanent-cap Yukon that we look back on here.
The big news for 2023 is that the Denali Ultimate is now a standalone model versus its status as a $10,000 package on the 2022 Yukon. Don’t worry though, you can still check boxes for five-figure option packages and the new top-dog Denali comes in just shy of 100 grand!
The Breakdown
Pretty Frosted Pine paint
Laser-etched Denali topo maps!
So much cabin comfort
Eye-watering Ultimate price
Needs a bigger screen
Existence of the Tahoe
Staggering in all metrics
2023 Yukon Specs
- 335 horsepower from base engine
- 383 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 25 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 123 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Hands-free Super Cruise
- Speakers in your headrest
- Blind Spot monitor for the trailer
- One complimentary maintenance visit in the first year
2023 GMC Yukon Powertrain
All 2023 Yukons, Denalis aside, are fitted with a 5.3L V8 rated for 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Both Denali trims have a burlier 6.2L variant that is punched up to 420 hp and 460 torques. If you’d like a splash of fuel economy with your land barge, there is a 3.0L turbodiesel inline-6 that adds about $1,000 and matches the big V8 on torque with 277 hp. Regardless of motor choice, GM’s slick 10-speed automatic is the sole transmission offering, sending power to the rear wheels.
A true 4WD system is standard on the Denali Ultimate and AT4 and can be added to the other models for three grand. It has a dual-range transfer case, selected via dashboard dial, and includes an automatic 4-wheel mode that moves power front and back all by itself.
This fifth-generation of Yukon made waves when it arrived in 2021 with a fully independent suspension that improves ride and handling. You can go further with a trick adaptive air suspension setup and even GM’s lauded Magnetic Ride Control, both of which are included on the Denali Ultimate.
The Yukon is a mammoth vehicle, weighing in at close to three tons and stretching nearly 18 feet in length, so it’s most at home parading around parking lots. Fortunately, it will be a very comfy ride in that parking lot. For those aiming to take their pricey rig off the paved path, the AT4 model offers much-improved approach and departure angles along with all-terrain rubber and standard air suspension to clear obstacles more easily.
Towing & Payload
The base 2023 GMC Yukon can tow 7,900 pounds, a figure that goes as high as 8,400 with the right packages. And GMC offers quite a bit of gear related to towing from standard trailer sway control, 2-inch, receiver, and 7-pin wiring harness to an available integrated trailer brake controller, zoomed-in views of the connection via dash screen, and trailer tire pressure monitoring.
2023 GMC Yukon Fuel Economy & MPG
As mentioned above, the diesel-powered Yukon wins the fuel economy competition with ratings of 21/27 in city/highway driving for RWD models or 20/26 with 4WD. The standard 5.3L V8 comes in at 15 mpg around town and 20 on the highway for either drivetrain. And the 6.2 isn’t far off, earning just one less mpg in city driving with RWD, and two less on the highway rating when equipped with 4WD.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Where to begin? The Yukons cabin is positively dripping with features and amenities to keep all three rows of occupants happy. Most models seat eight with a second-row bench, but that can be set up with dual captains for seven seats and you can opt for a front-row bench, on base models only, to make room for nine people. Triple-zone automatic climate control is lineup standard as is first-row acoustic laminated glass to go with the windshield. Denali Ultimate riders will find heated, ventilated, and massaging thrones up front.
Middle-row folks will enjoy 42 inches of legroom and the third row is a legitimately useful space with 35 inches of legroom. Fold those two rows of seats down, with power-operated switches on higher level trims, to open up a whopping 123 cubic feet of cargo space. A new Jeep Wagoneer tops out at “just” 117 cubic feet.
Across the board, the 2023 Yukon has a handsome cabin with tidy button and interface layouts that lend it a clean style. Denali models match their price tag with fancy “fractal” stitching, real wood trim, and an exclusive dash design that embeds the infotainment screen within instead of sticking out of the top. The Ultimate even has a topographical map of its namesake region etched into the wood. Neat!
2023 GMC Yukon Entertainment & Tech
A 10-inch touchscreen interface is standard on the 2023 GMC Yukon. While not tiny, a Ford Expedition Platinum comes with a far larger 15.5-inch affair. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, one of our favorite family car features, are of the wireless connection variety and three years of GMC’s Connected Service, which includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, is also included.
The Yukon also offers Bose audio systems with 14 or 18 speakers, the latter of which embeds a pair in the driver’s headrest. When it’s time to turn the children into quiet little zombies, Denali Ultimate has you covered with a pair of 12.6-inch screens mounted behind the front headrests that have wireless streaming capability and dual wireless headphones.
Safety Features
GMC Pro Safety is the standard advanced safety suite that includes Forward Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist and Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam high beams. Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are standard on SLT models and above, but the touted Super Cruise hands-free tech is going to cost you. Even on the nearly $100,000 Ultimate grade, it is a $2,200 standalone option.
2023 GMC Yukon Trims & Pricing
SLE – $59,295
The base 2023 Yukon comes with 18-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers. Cloth upholstery is standard as is a 10-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple and Android integration, Google-Built-In, and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster. There are dual USB ports in all three rows and a power-operated driver’s seat.
SLT – $65,995
Well-equipped SLT trims sit on 20s, have full LED exterior lighting, and a hands-free liftgate. Leather upholstery dresses up the cabin and the front row seats are fully climatized. There is also a wireless charging pad and GM’s trick Safety Alert Seat for the driver.
AT4 – $72,600
A model you won’t find on the 2020 Yukon that we compare here, AT4 Yukons are the off-road specials with a front skid plate and all-terrain tires. They also have a heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats, and a power-folding third row.
Denali – $76,700
“Regular” Denalis are pretty darn nice with massaging front seats, a power-sliding center console, head-up display, and the option to add power-retractable running boards and a panoramic sunroof.
Denali Ultimate – $96,450
For a whopping $20,000 more than the base Denali, Ultimate versions roll on 22s with Vader Chrome trim. The cabin is wrapped in exclusive Alpine Umber full-grain leather that looks rather ritzy. There is a digital rearview mirror, 18-speaker Bose stereo, rear entertainment package, advanced security system, and so much more.
Warranties
GMC’s warranty is average with a 3-year/36,000-mile term on the vehicle and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain and roadside assistance coverage. There is one complimentary maintenance visit included within the first year of ownership.
What we think
2023 GMC Yukon – gmc.com | Shop 2023 GMC Yukon on Carsforsale.com
There is certainly no shortage of gargantuan SUVs to choose from these days and the 2023 GMC Yukon does a commendable job standing tall in this crowd. It looks sharp from the outside, has a staggering array of features and creature comforts, can be fitted with the latest technology, and can wave around the much-vaunted Super Cruise card – if you can get a hold of it.
The Denali Ultimate is spectacular; a four-wheeled 6,000-lb tribute to having the biggest, most expensive car on the block. But $100,000? I’d go with the SLT myself as it comes in at THIRTY THOUSAND dollars less and is pretty spectacular in its own right. Check out our coverage of the latest new car incentives regardless of which model you go for.
