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Used 2018 GMC Yukon XL SUV Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2018 GMC Yukon XL is a full-size SUV offered in SLE, SLT and Denali trim levels. The smaller Yukon is covered in a separate review.

The SLE base trim starts with a 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 horsepower, 383 pound-feet of torque) paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard; four-wheel drive is optional.

Standard SLE features include 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, side steps, roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, automatic wipers and a trailer hitch receiver with a wiring harness. Standard interior features include tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, and 60/40-split folding second- and third-row seats.

Also included is a 110-volt power outlet, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, OnStar communications (with a 4G LTE connection and Wi-Fi hotspot), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system with CD player, satellite and HD radio and a USB input. GM's Teen Driver monitoring system, which limits certain vehicle settings for young drivers, also comes standard.

The optional Enhanced Driver Alert package adds forward collision alert with automatic low-speed emergency braking, a vibrating safety-alert driver seat, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning and intervention. The Convenience package adds a power-operated liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals and a universal garage door opener.

The SLE also offers an optional front bench seat that increases capacity to nine passengers.

The SLT trim includes all of the features listed above and adds a hands-free liftgate, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, and driver-seat memory functions.

The top-of-the-line Denali trim adds a more powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine (420 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque), a 10-speed automatic transmission, 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, adaptive suspension dampers, a trailer brake controller, a head-up instrument display, active noise cancellation, second-row bucket seats, a navigation system, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system.

The new-for-2018 Denali Ultimate package bundles 22-inch wheels, a sunroof, power side steps, adaptive cruise control, a rear seat entertainment system with DVD player, and an extended satellite radio and traffic information subscription, among other items.

Many of the Denali's features are offered as options on SLT trims, while options for SLE and SLT trims include 22-inch wheels and a heavy-duty trailering package (unique axle ratio, trailer brake controller and a self-leveling suspension).

Which Yukon XL trim does Edmunds recommend?

Even though the base SLE model can carry nine passengers, it's limited in the features and options it offers. Between the standard and optional features, the midlevel SLT strikes a good balance of comfort, convenience and safety without going all-in on a Denali trim.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Taunton, MA
Vehicle
Yukon XL SLE
Yukon XL SLT Standard Edition
Yukon XL SLT
Yukon XL Denali
Vehicle
SLE
5.3L 8cyl 6A
See all Yukon XL SLE for sale
SLT Standard Edition
5.3L 8cyl 6A
See all Yukon XL SLT Standard Edition for sale
Denali
6.2L 8cyl 10A
See all Yukon XL Denali for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
standard
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
standard
Not Available
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
Parking assistance
standard
standard
standard
standard
Upholstery
premium cloth
leather
leather
leather
Heated seats
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
optional
optional
optional
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
rear wheel drive
rear wheel drive
rear wheel drive
rear wheel drive
Engine power
355 hp @ 5,600 rpm
355 hp @ 5,600 rpm
355 hp @ 5,600 rpm
420 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Engine torque
383 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
383 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
383 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
460 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
Engine displacement
5.3 l
5.3 l
5.3 l
6.2 l
Engine configuration
v8
v8
v8
v8
Transmission
6-speed shiftable automatic
6-speed shiftable automatic
6-speed shiftable automatic
10-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
265/65R18
265/65R18
265/65R18
275/55R20
Wheel size
18 X 8.5-in
18 X 8.5-in
18 X 8.5-in
20 X 9.0-in
Wheel type
polished alloy wheels
polished alloy wheels
polished alloy wheels
polished alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
16 / 23 / 19 MPG
16 / 23 / 19 MPG
16 / 23 / 19 MPG
14 / 23 / 17 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
31.0 gal.
31.0 gal.
31.0 gal.
31.0 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
496 / 713 miles
496 / 713 miles
496 / 713 miles
434 / 713 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
premium unleaded (recommended)
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
N/A
43.0 ft.
N/A
N/A
Curb weight
5,610 lb.
5,610 lb.
5,610 lb.
5,665 lb.
Ground Clearance
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
80.5 in.
80.5 in.
80.5 in.
80.5 in.
Height
74.4 in.
74.4 in.
74.4 in.
74.4 in.
Length
224.4 in.
224.4 in.
224.4 in.
224.4 in.
Wheelbase
130.0 in.
130.0 in.
130.0 in.
130.0 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
39.3 cu. ft.
39.3 cu. ft.
39.3 cu. ft.
39.3 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
42.8 in.
42.8 in.
42.8 in.
42.8 in.
Front Leg Room
45.3 in.
45.3 in.
45.3 in.
45.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room
64.8 in.
64.8 in.
64.8 in.
64.8 in.
Rear Head Room
39.1 in.
39.1 in.
39.1 in.
39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room
39.7 in.
39.7 in.
39.7 in.
39.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
65.1 in.
65.1 in.
65.1 in.
65.1 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
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Average Cost Per Mile
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Depreciation
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Financing
Not Available
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Taxes & Fees
Not Available
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Fuel
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Insurance
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Maintenance
Not Available
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Repairs
Not Available
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Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Jet Black, cloth
Cocoa/Dune, cloth
Cocoa/Dune, leather
Jet Black, leather
Cocoa/Dune, leather
Jet Black, leather
Cocoa/Dark Atmosphere, leather
Cocoa/Shale, leather
Jet Black, leather
Exterior
Satin Steel Metallic
Crimson Red Tintcoat
Quicksilver Metallic
Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic
Onyx Black
Iridium Metallic
Summit White
White Frost Tricoat
Satin Steel Metallic
Crimson Red Tintcoat
Quicksilver Metallic
Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic
Onyx Black
Iridium Metallic
Summit White
White Frost Tricoat
Satin Steel Metallic
Crimson Red Tintcoat
Quicksilver Metallic
Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic
Onyx Black
Iridium Metallic
Summit White
White Frost Tricoat
Satin Steel Metallic
Crimson Red Tintcoat
Mineral Metallic
Quicksilver Metallic
Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic
Onyx Black
Iridium Metallic
Summit White