2008 GMC Yukon

Uncharted Trails

GMC's restyled Yukon gains refinement and features but remains large and fuel-thirsty at a time when fuel economy matters more.

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The GMC Yukon is worth considering if you need a vehicle with rugged towing, hauling, and off-roading capabilities.

It's a traditional full-size SUV with heavy-duty underpinnings, yet thanks to a full redesign for the 2007 model year is more comfortable, sophisticated, and easier to drive than ever before.

In the Denali trim, the Yukon rivals its more upscale twin, the Cadillac Escalade, in terms of luxury appointments, if not prestige. It is also available in a hybrid version, which is reviewed separately.

If you won't be towing trailers or slogging through swamps and are looking for a vehicle with room for five or more passengers, and maybe a couple of pets or bulky items from the hardware store, then consider a car-based crossover utility vehicle (CUV) such as the GMC Acadia or one of its General Motors twins: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook. In general, those vehicles aren't as rugged as the Yukon, but they're lighter, more fuel efficient, and drive more like cars.

With the understanding that a vehicle as large, stout, and powerful as the Yukon won't get great mileage or be as nimble as smaller SUVs and cars, there's not much we don't like about the Yukon. One major disadvantage compared to many car-based CUVs is that the third-row seats don't fold into the floor and must be removed from the vehicle to allow maximum cargo capacity. The third-row seat-backs do fold forward to create a flat loading surface, though. It's just not flush with the floor.

The GMC Yukon is offered in three trim levels — SLE, SLT, and the opulent Denali — in both rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. The Denali includes a sophisticated full-time all-wheel-drive system for added traction on wet and dry roads, though it lacks the low-range gearing found on other four-wheel-drive Yukons that's necessary for hard-core off-roading.

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The Yukon shares platforms and components with a host of other full-size General Motors models, including the extended Yukon XL; the Chevrolet Avalanche, Tahoe, and Suburban; as well as the Cadillac Escalade. It remains large and rectangular on the outside, with all-new body panels that represent a conservative evolution of the previous design. The interior is notably more upscale, stylish, and practical.

The previous generation’s 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine continues as standard equipment with four-wheel drive (it’s optional with rear-wheel drive) but now includes GM’s Active Fuel Management technology in which half of an engine’s cylinders deactivate during light driving to conserve fuel. The EPA estimates fuel economy of 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on rear-wheel-drive models and 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway on four-wheel-drive models. This is several mpg better than before and is on par with many V6-powered midsize SUVs. What’s more, this engine can run on E85 ethanol fuel (which is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), though it will get only 12 mpg city/16 mpg highway.

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While the 4.8- and 5.3-liter engines remain saddled with a four-speed automatic transmission, the Denali includes a six-speed automatic that is technologically superior. This transmission includes two overdrive gears to help maximize the vehicle’s performance and fuel economy, along with a column-mounted switch for manual gear selections. However, even with the extra gears, it's still the least efficient engine choice in this lineup.

The GMC Yukon rides on an all-new chassis that’s stiffer than before. This makes for a more refined ride with reduced noise, vibration and harshness. A wider track and a lower center of gravity contribute to enhanced on-road stability, while a revised suspension provides a supple ride and more-precise handling qualities.

• GMC Yukon Vehicle Summary

The Denali adds an otherwise optional Autoride suspension in which electronically controlled shock absorbers make instantaneous adjustments in stiffness according to changing road and driving conditions to further smooth the ride. GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system is standard and now incorporates rollover mitigation technology that can deploy the vehicle’s head-curtain airbags before a crash occurs if an imminent rollover is detected. Good thing, because even with stability control, the Yukon receives only three out of five stars for rollover resistance by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It does better for frontal collisions, garnering a top rating of five stars for driver and front passenger. The GMC Yukon has not been rated for side-impact protection as of publication time.

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A nicely redesigned two-tone interior is crafted from higher-quality materials than before, with redesigned seats that offer greater travel to accommodate long-legged riders in the first or second row. The instrument panel is positioned lower for better visibility, particularly for shorter drivers.

All Yukon models come well-equipped. The top Denali model adds otherwise optional amenities like a power rear liftgate, power-release second-row fold-and-tumble seat, power-adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers, remote start capability, rear camera, and a Bose premium audio system with XM satellite radio compatibility.

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