1996 GMC Yukon Review
1996 GMC Yukon Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
A two-wheel-drive two-door Yukon becomes available. A new 5700 Vortec V8 gets long-life coolant and spark plugs, as well as a hefty bump in power and torque. Passenger car tires on less stout Yukons result in a softer, quieter ride. Rear heat ducts, illuminated entry, and height-adjustable seatbelts debut. Four-wheel-drive models get an optional electronic shift mechanism.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 GMC Yukon SL 2dr SUV 4WD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$282/mo for Yukon SL
Yukon SL
vs
$192/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Shoppers who savor the idea of sport-utility motoring but need extra space have no alternative but to turn to General Motors. That's what GM's promotional folks claim, at any rate, though a relatively roomy Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee might fill the bill for some families.
To capture this segment of the market, GMC launched the full-size four-door Yukon last year, joining its longer-lived two-door stablemate. Chevrolet's Tahoe is a near-duplicate, also offered in both two- and four-door format, with two- or four-wheel drive. Two-wheel drive is new to the two-door model; formerly, only four-wheel drive was available. In the size race, both fit squarely between the Blazer/Jimmy compact and the big-bruiser Suburban wagons. Squint your eyes, in fact, and the difference between a Yukon and Suburban begins to evaporate, despite the latter's extra 20 inches of steel.
Interiors have been borrowed from the full-size Sierra pickup, including a driver airbag and right-side A-pillar assist handle--a sensible addition, as climbing into full-size models can be a chore. Rear passengers get new heat ducts this year, and illuminated entry is now standard. Seat belts are height adjustable to fit many differently sized people, and 4WD models can be equipped with an electronic shift mechanism that is activated by pressing a switch on the dashboard. An electrochromic rearview mirror keeps bright lights out of drivers' eyes. Speaking of lights, the ones on the Yukon are on all the time, thanks to GM's obsession with daytime running lights.
The insanely popular Yukon four-door, and the sporty two-door, receive a new gasoline engine this year. Called the Vortec 5700, it pumps out 50 more horsepower and 25 foot-pounds more torque than last year's 5.7-liter V8. Two-door Yukons can also be ordered with a 6.5-liter turbodiesel engine. Manual shift, too, is offered only on two-door models. Four-door owners enjoy the smoothness of GM's four-speed automatic transmission, with electronic controls. Yukon four-doors can have either panel-style rear doors or a tailgate with lift-glass. Two-door 4WD models get passenger car tires that reduce noise and improve the ride.
Naturally, though, you can still expect truck-style ride and handling, but reasonable comfort on the road. General Motors expects to have this market niche to itself for another year or more, until Ford and Dodge release SUV's a tick larger than the Explorer and Grand Cherokee. Not a bad deal, this Yukon, and think of the juicier 5700 engine as your reward for waiting so long to get your hands on one.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 GMC Yukon.
5 star(62%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
29 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Very Reliable
Tom Tearney, 01/01/2008
1995 GMC Yukon SLT 4dr SUV 4WD
This truck has always run very well and I have performed routine maintenance since I purchased it. I use synthetic motor oil and transmission fluid. With 203,000 miles it still runs quiet in the city and highway. I get 19 mpg highway and 14 mpg city. We have thought about getting rid of it but it is now a great third vehicle that serves many purposes.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Smiling GMC Yukon Owner
Elated Alaskan, 04/07/2005
1996 GMC Yukon SLT 4dr SUV 4WD
We bought this vehicle used in September '99 with almost 44,000 miles on it. The vehicle had been leased for 3 years when new. Lease owners kept it in immaculate condition. All I did was buy new set of tires, thats it! Alaskan winters can be rough on a vehicle, and after 3 winters, I had to change the 4wd selector. My wife & I drove 12,400 miles down the Alaska highway to Waco,TX & … back. We changed the oil 4 times in 6 weeks,averaged 18.4 MPG driving the interstate highways at 75 mph and never missed a beat. As of 4/05, it's showing 78,500 miles on the odometer. We had a thorough 60,000 mile check on the Yukon before the big tour in Sept.2003. Had the brakes changed before big trip...since then my 96 Yukon has performed flawlessly. We couldnt be happier.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Yukon Pride
terri , 10/21/2006
1995 GMC Yukon 2dr SUV 4WD
We bought our Yukon brand new; just off the truck. We had to go looking for it, because they were new on the market and everyone was wanting one. We have never regreted it. They do not make the 2dr type any more, it is a classic. I have received numerous compliements on the great sporty look it has. It has been extremely reliable and fun to drive. It has leather interior and still a … nice looking vehicle. I was hit from behind once and the Yukon was tough and did not sustain much damage even though the lady that hit me with a Suburban had tremendous damage.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin
Yukon SS, 02/21/2003
1995 GMC Yukon SLE 4dr SUV
Over all this has been the best truck i
have ever owned. It has major potential
to be anything that you want it to be.
Great porformance and great towing.
Very easy to see and handles like a car.
I cant resist to upgrade and soup up
the engine. Overall it is a truck with
major potential. My yukon has 165,000
miles on it and still no problems.
Sounds great with 40 series … flowmasters.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 GMC Yukon, so we've included reviews for other years of the Yukon since its last redesign.
1996 Yukon Highlights
SL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $282/month |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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