Car Reviews: 2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500

GMC Yukon XL is a maximum-size SUV for maximum-size projects: big trailers to pull, heavy loads to haul, crowds of friends or family (and all their luggage) heading off for a long vacation. Yukon XL is more SUV than most people need. But for those who truly need it, you can't beat it.

Yukon XL is an upscale version of the Chevy Suburban. It's a well-equipped vehicle and a good choice for families of six or more. It offers comfortable seating for six people and can be equipped to seat up to nine, with nearly enough room to carry that many on a daily basis. Even when fully loaded with people, there's space left over for large amounts of gear.

Where the Yukon XL really comes into its own, however, is when heavy-duty towing is needed. Otherwise, why not get a lighter, more fuel-efficient minivan? A standard Yukon XL 2WD 1500 model is rated to pull trailers up to 8,400 pounds. A Yukon XL 2500, the heavy-duty model, is rated to tow 12,000 pounds. This makes the Yukon XL an excellent choice for families with boats or horses.

Though identical in many respects, there are differences between the Suburban and the Yukon XL. The GMC is generally more upscale in its appointments than the Chevrolet; it offers a higher level of comfort and convenience. GMC offers the Yukon XL Denali, an ultra-luxury model that combines a big 6.0-liter V8 with full-time all-wheel-drive, a combination not available at your Chevy dealer. Styling cues distinguish the GMC from the Chevrolet.

Safety features abound. Four-wheel discs with ABS and dynamic brake proportioning promise good braking performance under all conditions and regardless of load. Hydroboost brakes provide power assist even if the engine stalls. Dual-stage frontal airbags are standard, of course, and side-impact airbags are available. Yukon XL comes with a tire-pressure monitor. Traction control comes standard on 2WD models. StabiliTrak stability control is available on all 2005 Yukon XL models and comes standard on Denali.

GMC Yukon XL is available with two-wheel drive ($38,685) or four-wheel drive ($41,385), and in two load ratings. Most popular is the 1500, the standard light-duty model, rated to tow trailers up to 8400 pounds. The heavy-duty 2500 2WD ($40,185) and 2500 4WD ($42,885) are rated to pull trailers up to 12,000 pounds. Unless you plan to pull that much trailer, however, we recommend the 1500 for its lower cost, better fuel economy, and smoother ride.

A 5.3-liter V8 powers Yukon XL 1500 models. A 6.0-liter V8 comes standard on Denali and 2500 models. An 8.1-liter V8 is optional ($950) for 2500 models, and delivers 440 pound-feet of torque for maximum towing capability. All Yukon XL models come with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

Both the 1500 and 2500 models are available in basic SLE, or more deluxe SLT or SLT Plus trim.

The base SLE model comes well-equipped with cloth upholstery, manual tri-zone air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), self-leveling suspension, CD stereo with eight speakers, power windows, power door locks, fog lights, tinted glass, heated outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and alarm. Three rows of seats are standard. The front seat is a 40/20/40 split bench with six-way power adjustments for the driver.

SLT is technically a package ($3,290) that adds bucket seats with leather inserts, a floor console, tri-zone automatic climate control, a nine-speaker Bose premium stereo, rear-seat audio controls, and assist steps (running boards).

SLT Plus ($5,175) adds to that Ultrasoft leather seating surfaces; full-function power (including power lumbar support) for the front bucket seats with seat heaters and a two-position memory function; outside mirrors with turn indicators and ground illumination (puddle lamps); auto-dimming for the driver's side outside mirror; Driver Information Center (including a trip computer); power-adjustable pedals; OnStar; a Homelink universal transmitter (for garage doors); six-disc in-dash CD changer; XM Satellite Radio; steering wheel controls for the audio system; and the Cargo Package with cargo shade, cargo net, cargo mat, luggage rack center rails.

Yukon XL Denali ($51,685) is loaded with luxury features, along with the bigger engine, a sophisticated full-time all-wheel-drive system, StabiliTrak stability control, and AutoRide suspension with self-leveling and two-position dampening. Denali is distinguished by unique exterior design cues. It is essentially a 1500 however, and is not available in the heavy-duty 2500 load rating.

The GMC Yukon XL is a long-wheelbase version of the Yukon, just as the Suburban is a long-wheelbase version of the Chevy Tahoe. XL means eXtra Long: Yukon XL is based on the same platform as the Yukon, but it's stretched 14 inches in wheelbase and about 20 inches overall. While the Yukon can carry a lot of people or a lot of cargo, the Yukon XL can do both at the same time. The Yukon XL also offers the bigger towing capacity.

Yukon XL is conservatively styled. GMC takes a more sophisticated, more understated approach to design than Chevrolet. Still, the Yukon XL shares the unmistakable profile of the 'burb.

Denali trades the standard Yukon XL's black grille for a bright mask of fine-metal mesh, but then swaps the base model's chrome bumpers for body-color units, keeping the overall flash level about equal. Round fog lights are neatly tunneled into the lower part of Denali's unique front bumper. Cladding adorns the lower body, running down the sides and incorporating the front and rear stone guards; the Denali's cladding is oddly shaped, but blends nicely into the color-keyed running boards.

For 2005, all Yukon XL models come with a station wagon-style liftgate at the rear, with a glass window that opens independently. Made of lightweight aluminum, the liftgate is convenient for quickly adding and removing cargo. Side-by-side cargo doors are no longer available. Less noticeable changes for 2005 include an extended front air dam with fewer unneeded openings, and more aerodynamically friendly running boards.

Yukon XL 2500 is available with Quadrasteer, an electronically controlled four-wheel steering system that improves maneuverability somewhat at the expense of appearance, as it requires ungainly rear fender flares to accommodate a significantly wider track (the distance between the rear wheels).

holders are provided and overhead vents can be aimed for heating and air conditioning, important because the rear side windows cannot be opened. Three-point seat belts are provided and are nicely designed and easy to use. As with the other rows, the seat belts are integrated into the seats. There is a lap belt in the center of the third row, but putting three people back there is optimistic, as the third row is considerably narrower than the first two rows. Getting in and out of the third row is challenging. Getting out requires assistance, as someone has to move the second-row seat out of the way.

Cargo space abounds in the Yukon XL. There's 45.7 cubic feet behind the third row, which is a lot. By comparison, a standard-length Yukon or Tahoe provides just 16.3 cubic feet, while a Ford Expedition offers 20.7 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold the Yukon XL's third-row seatback down, then tumble the seat forward and you'll have a lot more storage capacity, and you can still carry four to six people, depending on the seating package. Remove the third row and put it in the garage for 90 cubic feet of cargo room. Finally, flip up the second-row seat bottoms, fold the seatback down, then flip the folding carpeted platform backward, and you're looking at a flat floor with 131.6 cubic feet of space, great for runs to the home-improvement center or big outdoor outings. The Suburban offers comfortable sleeping accommodations for camping or when fatigue takes over on that long drive home after a day afield.

The standard Yukon XL 1500 provides a smooth, comfortable ride. It's built on a rigid frame, which plays a key role in the Yukon XL's ride and handling.

The standard Premium Smooth Ride suspension in the 1500 soaks up large potholes and rough surfaces. The independent front suspension flattens the most rugged terrain, so passengers feel coddled, while the solid rear axle maximizes towing capability. Yukon XL boasts an impressive turning radius given its mammoth proportions, useful for crowded parking lots, U-turns, and off-road driving.

AutoRide is an optional suspension package that automatically varies shock damping according to driving conditions. Whether riding empty, carrying a full load of people, or towing a horse trailer, AutoRide continually adjusts the suspension for optimum ride and handling. This technology also helps reduce dive on braking (so that the nose of the vehicle doesn't dip down unduly) and body roll (lean) during cornering.

Towing a heavy trailer? A 1500 model is plenty for pulling a car trailer or a light boat trailer, but you may want to look at the 2500 models if you have a heavy load to pull and you pull it often. But the 2500 doesn't ride as well as the 1500. The rear suspension on the standard 1500-series models uses coil springs, while the heavy-duty 2500 models use leaf springs; coil springs filter road vibration much better and allow more precise suspension movements for better handling.

Quadrasteer ($1,995) gives the Yukon XL 2500 dramatically improved maneuverability in tight quarters. By turning the rear wheels opposite the direction of the front wheels, this four-wheel-steering system reduces the curb-to-curb turning diameter from the standard 44.3 feet to 36.5 feet. That's a huge difference when maneuvering in crowded parking lots and public garages, and it allows a U-turn in places that previously required backing up. Quadrasteer becomes even more important when towing trailers. It greatly improves control when backing, reducing trial and error. It also allows you to move a trailer into spots where you could not physically do so without it. It makes mere mortals look like professional semi drivers. Quadrasteer is well worth considering by anyone who frequently pulls trailers.

A 2500 with Quadrasteer isn't the smoothest vehicle on the road, however. We found its ride rough on I-405, a busy L.A. freeway with ripples that can set a stiff suspension to bouncing. Quadrasteer comes with heavier suspension components to support all of the extra equipment on the rear axle. Also, 2500 models come with light-truck tires, rather than passenger-car tires. Adding some heavy cargo would likely improve the ride, but we don't think we'd want to put up with the jounciness of the heavy-duty suspension on a daily basis unless we were towing at least once a month.

Responsiveness from each of the three available V8 engines is excellent. Most people will find the standard 5.3-liter V8 a great companion. The 6.0-liter V8 produces 325 horsepower in the 2500 and (with different cylinder heads) 335 horsepower in the Denali. Either way, it feels and sounds powerful when accelerating onto the freeway.

EPA fuel economy figures for 2005 weren't available at press time, but we'd expect the 5.3-liter Yukon XL to rate about 14/21 mpg with 2WD, 14/18 with 4WD. GMC said Yukon XL's 2005 fuel economy should be better than 2004's, thanks in part to new dual, 200-watt electric cooling fans that replace the engine-driven fan used previously. The electric fans are quieter, and a new radiator is more efficient, so GMC says we should also expect improved air conditioning performance when traffic comes to a standstill.

Yukon's transmission features a Tow/Haul mode that improves performance while towing through mountainous terrain. Pressing the Tow/Haul switch on the end of the gearshift lever changes the shift points of the automatic transmission. The Tow/Haul mode also lessens wear on the transmission by reducing heat buildup. It does this by holding the transmission in each gear longer before up-shifting, and then shifting up more abruptly to reduce the time the clutch packs have to slip and generate heat.

The brakes work very well, with easy modulation, good pedal feel, and good stopping power, even on heavy-duty 2500 models. A dynamic proportioning system continuously balances the front and rear brakes for maximum effectiveness. Hydroboost servo technology relies on hydraulic pressure rather than engine vacuum to reduce braking effort. Hydroboost brakes also require less pedal force during high-deceleration stops and improve pedal effort and feel during normal operation.

StabiliTrak is a valuable option that could save your life someday, or at least reduce your chance of stuffing your big Yukon XL into a ditch. StabiliTrak is an electronic stability control system that compares the driver's intended path with the vehicle's actual path, and adjusts engine torque and applies the brakes to any of the four individual wheels to help bring the vehicle back under control. Sophisticated sensors monitor the suspension, steering, antilock brake and traction control systems, constantly measuring steering angle, wheel speeds, brake pressure, lateral and longitudinal acceleration and yaw rate (the vehicle's rotation rate, such as when cornering). StabiliTrak comes standard on Denali but is also available on 2WD ($555) and 4WD ($750) base Yukon XL's. On 2005 models, StabiliTrak is combined with traction control and a limited-slip rear differential, all of which greatly improves the capability of 2WD models in slippery conditions. We highly recommend getting StabiliTrak.

Yukon XL 4WD models use a part-time four-wheel-drive system. (Just to make things confusing, GM calls this Autotrac.) Pressing a button switches the system to Auto 4WD, a mode that automatically shifts torque between the front and rear wheels as conditions demand; Auto 4WD works very well for most conditions we commonly encounter: wet pavement, gravel roads, or inconsistent conditions like snow, ice and slush. Shift into 4WD Hi when going into seriously slippery stuff or rugged terrain; 4WD Hi locks the front and rear axle speeds together for the traditional kind of four-wheel drive that is considered best for serious off-road driving. A 4WD Lo setting provides an ultra-low gear for creeping through deep sand, deep mud, deep snow or up or down steep grades. Shifting among the four-wheel-drive modes is as easy as turning on the radio, and is accomplished with four buttons mounted on the left side of the instrument panel.

Denali's full-time all-wheel-drive system requires no input from the driver whatsoever. It's a great system in inconsistent conditions (patches of snow and ice, gravel and pavement) because it automatically transfers power to the tires with the best traction.

GMC Yukon XL moves people and gear like nothing else, and has no peers among sport utilities when it comes to towing. If you have lots of cargo or pull heavy trailers you'll appreciate the Yukon XL.