GMC Yukon 2WD SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The GMC Yukon 2WD is a large capacity SUV built on a truck chassis that can handle seating for nine passengers. As a two-wheel drive vehicle, its value as an SUV may come into question, yet the GMC Yukon 2WD offers a comfortable interior and generous cargo space. The V8 engine offers sufficient power and allows the vehicle to handle well on the road and makes it easy to drive.
Standard features of the GMC Yukon 2WD include leather seats, driver and passenger seats with six power adjustments, front bucket seats that recline and are adjustable for seat height and head rests, leather steering wheel, power adjustable foot pedals, front and second row map lights, cruise control, controls mounted on the steering wheel for audio, cruise control and trip computer, OnStar, and an audio system with AM/FM radio, nine Bose speakers, CD and MP3 player, and satellite radio. Options include a GPS navigation system, a DVD entertainment system for the rear, climate control for three zones, rear parking assist, a power sunroof, and a heated windshield washer system.
Specs:
The engine in the GMC Yukon 2WD is a 5.3 liter VORTEC V8 that can produce 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard. One feature of the engine is its active fuel management system which enables the engine to operate on only four of the eight cylinders when full power is not needed. An option is available on the vehicle's Driver Information Control system that lets the driver know when the vehicle is in four-cylinder or V8 mode. The GMC Yukon 2WD can also operate on fuel that is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
There are some drawbacks to the two-wheel drive system. The GMC Yukon 2WD cannot adequately handle heavy-duty off-roading and it produces excessive body roll when turning corners or coming to a full stop. However, the vehicle has a soft ride due to the coil-over-shock suspension and premium smooth-ride suspension package and drives smoothly over potholes, bumps and highway expansion joints.
Fuel economy for the GMC Yukon 2WD is rated at 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg combined. Fuel economy with the ethanol mix is rated at 11 mpg in the city, 16 mpg on the highway and 13 mpg combined.
The optional navigation system for the GMC Yukon 2WD adds an LCD touch screen that provides a wide range of features that include configuring the speakers to localize sound for optimum acoustics, displaying information about the MP3 file being played and adjusting the satellite radio. A separate interface is mounted in the rear that enables those passengers to control their own media. Many of these features can also be controlled from the mounts on the steering wheel when the navigation system is not available.
Safety features on the GMC Yukon 2WD include a tire-pressure monitoring system, four-wheel disc brakes and antilock brakes. The vehicle rates five stars in the NHTSA frontal-impact and crash tests.
The GMC Yukon 2WD is a basic truck-like SUV which produces some drawbacks to its overall handling yet can drive smoothly and easily on the road.
Standard features of the GMC Yukon 2WD include leather seats, driver and passenger seats with six power adjustments, front bucket seats that recline and are adjustable for seat height and head rests, leather steering wheel, power adjustable foot pedals, front and second row map lights, cruise control, controls mounted on the steering wheel for audio, cruise control and trip computer, OnStar, and an audio system with AM/FM radio, nine Bose speakers, CD and MP3 player, and satellite radio. Options include a GPS navigation system, a DVD entertainment system for the rear, climate control for three zones, rear parking assist, a power sunroof, and a heated windshield washer system.
Specs:
The engine in the GMC Yukon 2WD is a 5.3 liter VORTEC V8 that can produce 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard. One feature of the engine is its active fuel management system which enables the engine to operate on only four of the eight cylinders when full power is not needed. An option is available on the vehicle's Driver Information Control system that lets the driver know when the vehicle is in four-cylinder or V8 mode. The GMC Yukon 2WD can also operate on fuel that is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
There are some drawbacks to the two-wheel drive system. The GMC Yukon 2WD cannot adequately handle heavy-duty off-roading and it produces excessive body roll when turning corners or coming to a full stop. However, the vehicle has a soft ride due to the coil-over-shock suspension and premium smooth-ride suspension package and drives smoothly over potholes, bumps and highway expansion joints.
Fuel economy for the GMC Yukon 2WD is rated at 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg combined. Fuel economy with the ethanol mix is rated at 11 mpg in the city, 16 mpg on the highway and 13 mpg combined.
The optional navigation system for the GMC Yukon 2WD adds an LCD touch screen that provides a wide range of features that include configuring the speakers to localize sound for optimum acoustics, displaying information about the MP3 file being played and adjusting the satellite radio. A separate interface is mounted in the rear that enables those passengers to control their own media. Many of these features can also be controlled from the mounts on the steering wheel when the navigation system is not available.
Safety features on the GMC Yukon 2WD include a tire-pressure monitoring system, four-wheel disc brakes and antilock brakes. The vehicle rates five stars in the NHTSA frontal-impact and crash tests.
The GMC Yukon 2WD is a basic truck-like SUV which produces some drawbacks to its overall handling yet can drive smoothly and easily on the road.
