Specifications of GMC Yukon XL XL V Denali 6.2 V8 (426 HP) Automatic
General characteristics of GMC Yukon XL XL V Denali 6.2 V8 (426 HP) Automatic
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL is an SUV with a massive footprint. Its overall length is 225.2 inches, and the overall width excluding the side mirrors is 81 inches. Other key dimensions include height at 76.5 inches, but with the optional air suspension, it goes up by an additional two inches in 4-Lo, and down by three to four inches to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. The AT4 offers the best off-roading capabilities with a ground clearance of ten inches over the standard eight inches.
The base trim in rear-wheel drive with the 5.3-liter engine equipped is the lightest, weighing 5,633 pounds. The heftiest models are those with the diesel engine and the full 4WD setup, tipping the scales at 6,088 lbs.
The 5.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8 and 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engines have been carried over from the previous year model, but are now joined by an available 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine - only the AT4 model is exempt from using it. SLE, SLT, and AT4 models come with the 5.3 V8 as standard, while the top-spec Denali is equipped with the 6.2 V8. The 5.3-liter V8 produces 355 horsepower and 382 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2 V8 takes power up to 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0 diesel may only have 277 hp, but it matches the high-output V8's torque specs. Towing capacity is between 7,500 lbs and 7,800 lbs with the gas engines equipped, while the turbo diesel allows for up to 7,900 lbs in 2WD configurations. None of these powertrains are designed for blistering 0-60 mph times, although independent tests suggest around 6.8 seconds are needed to hit the mark with a gas V8-equipped Yukon XL.
All models are mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. In addition, it has a Sport Mode for aggressive responses and Intelligent Downhill Detection. The latter detects when the Yukon is going downhill and will automatically engage a lower gear.
The recent removal of the automatic stop-start function by GMC means that fuel economy has taken a small knock. Unsurprisingly still, the 2WD diesel remains the most efficient of the lot. According to the EPA estimates, it should be capable of 21/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined. With the optional 4WD system included, gas mileage figures drop to 20/26/22 mpg. The 5.3 V8 in 2WD format can do 15/20/17 mpg, dropping to 15/19/16 mpg in 4WD. GMC's 6.2 V8 is the thirstiest of the lot, consuming 14/20/16 mpg in 2WD and 13/19/16 mpg in 4WD.
Diesel models are equipped with a 31-gallon tank, while gas models get a smaller 28-gallon tank. The most frugal Yukon XL has a total range of 713 miles, while the 4WD 6.2 V8 can only do 448 miles on a single tank.
The increase in the wheelbase and overall body length is immediately apparent once you climb aboard. As standard, the Yukon XL is an 8-seater, but if you opt for the second-row captain's chairs, the seat tally drops to seven. The base model also exclusively has access to a front-row bench, which allows for a total of nine passengers to be accommodated.
Front headroom is 42.3 inches, dropping to 38.9 inches in the second row and 38.2 inches in the third row. When a sunroof is equipped the front and rear headroom drop to 40.4 and 37.5 inches respectively. It's the available legroom that impresses, however. Front passengers get 44.5 inches, middle passengers get 42 inches, and the third-row gets an exceptional 36.7 inches. That's more headroom and legroom than you'll find in the second row of most midsize luxury sedans like the BMW 5 Series.
The NHTSA gave the new Yukon XL a four-out-of-five rating. It scored four stars in the frontal crash, the full five stars in the side crash, and three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS does not have a review of the Yukon at all.
Standard safety items across the range include six airbags (seven with the optional bucket seats), automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, front and rear park assist, Intellibeam headlights, rear cross-traffic alert, and a teen driver system. Lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and lane keep assist with lane departure warning are only included from the SLT upwards, although it can be added on to the base model. Adaptive cruise control is an optional extra on the Denali, only, which also gets a standard surround-view camera and rear pedestrian alert.
