GMC Yukon XL
The 2026 GMC Yukon XL offers a solid safety score and ample space, but its 'Average' reliability verdict and documented issues with the forward collision avoidance system and engine warrant careful inspection for used buyers.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2025 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 15.68 | 12.38 | 14.7 |
| 2025 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 15.68 | 12.38 | 14.7 |
| 2024 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 16.8 | 12.38 | 14.7 |
| 2023 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 16.8 | 12.38 | 14.7 |
| 2022 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 16.8 | 12.38 | 14.7 |
| 2021 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 16.8 | 11.76 | 14.7 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 23.52 | 14.7 | 19.6 |
| 2012 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 23.52 | 14.7 | 19.6 |
| 2011 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 23.52 | 14.7 | 19.6 |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain | engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | suv | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.2, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2025 | suv | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.2, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2024 | suv | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.2, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2023 | suv | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.2, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2022 | suv | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.2, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2021 | suv | 8 | 6.2 | Premium | Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.2, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2020 | suv | — | — | — | Automatic | — | — |
| 2019 | suv | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | Automatic | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | suv | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | suv | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | suv | 8 | 6.0 | Regular | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.0, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2012 | suv | 8 | 6.0 | Regular | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.0, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2011 | suv | 8 | 6.0 | Regular | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | Cylinders: 8, Displacement: 6.0, Fuel type: Regular |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | pricing | Trim | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Trim: Denali Ultimate | Denali Ultimate | — |
| 2024 | Trim: Denali Ultimate | Denali Ultimate | — |
| 2023 | Trim: Denali Ultimate | Denali Ultimate | — |
| 2022 | Trim: AT4 | AT4 | — |
| 2021 | Trim: AT4 | AT4 | — |
| 2020 | Trim: SLT | SLT | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — |
| 2018 | Base price: $68,900, Trim: SLT | SLT | $68,900 |
| 2017 | Base price: $51,230, Trim: SLE | SLE | $51,230 |
| 2016 | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | Steering location | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | Seat rows | Axles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 9 | 4 | 1175 | 41.5 | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 134.1, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 4 | 134.1 | 18 | 18 | — | — |
| 2020 | 7 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 130, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 4 | 130 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 8 | 4 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 130, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 4 | 130 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 2017 | 8 | 4 | 3446 | 121.7 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 130, Front wheel: 20, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 4 | 130 | 20 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotMonitoring | blindSpotIntervention | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | rearAeb | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | laneCenteringAssist | nhtsaSafetyRatings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2026 GMC YUKON XL SUV N/A 4WD | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2026 GMC YUKON XL SUV N/A 4WD |
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2025 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2025 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2024 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2024 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2023 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | optional | — | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2023 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2022 GMC Yukon XL SUV 2WD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | optional | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2022 GMC Yukon XL SUV 2WD |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | optional | — | — | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2020 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 3, Rated vehicle: 2020 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 GMC Yukon XL offers a solid safety score and ample space, but its 'Average' reliability verdict and documented issues with the forward collision avoidance system and engine warrant careful inspection for used buyers.
2025
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL is rated below average for reliability, primarily due to documented early-life engine failures and critical brake system malfunctions.
2024
The 2024 GMC Yukon XL presents significant reliability concerns, particularly regarding its engine.
2023
The 2023 GMC Yukon XL presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant concerns with its **6.2L V8 engine**, which has seen reports of catastrophic failures at low mileage.
2022
The 2022 GMC Yukon XL is rated below average for reliability, primarily due to significant engine concerns.
2021
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL presents a significant reliability risk, primarily due to a high incidence of critical engine and powertrain failures.
2020
The 2020 GMC Yukon XL presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant concerns with its **engine** and **powertrain**.
2019
The 2019 GMC Yukon XL is rated below average for reliability, primarily due to significant concerns regarding catastrophic engine and powertrain failures.
2018
The 2018 GMC Yukon XL presents a below-average reliability outlook, primarily due to significant concerns with its **powertrain** and **brake systems**.
2017
The 2017 GMC Yukon XL presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant issues with its **brake system**.
2016
The 2016 GMC Yukon XL presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant concerns with its **service brakes** and **exterior lighting** systems.
2015
The 2015 GMC Yukon XL is rated below average for reliability, primarily due to widespread issues with its **rear LED exterior lighting** and **service brakes**.
2013
The 2013 GMC Yukon XL presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant safety concerns stemming from widespread airbag inflator recalls and dashboard cracking complaints.
2012
The 2012 GMC Yukon XL's reliability is rated below average, primarily due to significant safety recall activity concerning airbags and steering, alongside numerous owner complaints about dashboard cracking impacting airbag safety.
2011
The 2011 GMC Yukon XL garners a 'Below Average' reliability verdict, primarily due to significant safety recall issues concerning airbags and a prevalent dashboard cracking problem that can impact airbag safety.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the GMC Yukon XL?
Carfocal currently has 15 published Yukon XL reports, covering 2011 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 GMC Yukon XL offers a solid safety score and ample space, but its 'Average' reliability verdict and documented issues with the forward collision avoidance system and engine warrant careful inspection for used buyers.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the GMC Yukon XL reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every GMC Yukon XL. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 gmc yukon xl offers a solid safety score and ample space, but its 'average' reliability verdict and documented issues with the forward collision avoidance system and engine warrant careful inspection for used buyers. and given its 'average' reliability verdict and documented issues, the 2026 gmc yukon xl's used market value should reflect the potential for costly repairs. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
15 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the GMC Yukon XL?
Carfocal answers common-problem questions in the year-specific reports. Published guides currently cover 2011 through 2026.
Problem patterns will populate as repair-prediction coverage expands.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 15
- Years tracked
- 15
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints