2018 GMC Yukon Review
Used Yukon for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
byWill Kaufman
Senior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax
Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at Edmunds. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.
Pros
- Seating for up to nine people
- Impressive towing capacity from standard V8 engine
- Quiet and nicely trimmed cabin
Cons
- Sluggish engine and brake responses
- High trunk floor reduces cargo space and makes loading items difficult
- Maneuvering in tight spaces is a challenge
What's new
- The Yukon Denali now comes with a 10-speed transmission
- Part of the fourth Yukon generation introduced for 2015
The 2018 GMC Yukon occupies what little space there is between the related Chevrolet Tahoe and the Cadillac Escalade. Though less premium than the Escalade, it does offer a few more luxuries and features than the Tahoe.
Like its siblings, the Yukon offers available seating for nine and an impressive towing capacity. You also get plenty of standard equipment. However, the Yukon's road manners and cargo utility aren't up to par, and its elevated price point (compared to the Tahoe) pits it against some more luxurious vehicles.
Buyers who demand the towing capacity of a body-on-frame SUV should take a look at the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Both promise impressive capability but with more utility and comfort than the Yukon.
Those who need three rows but are willing to sacrifice towing capacity have quite a few options. The Audi Q7 has excellent driving dynamics and lots of advanced technology options. The Acura MDX is similarly well-behaved on the road and offers plenty of luxury trimmings. The price of the top trim Yukon Denali even makes a competitor of the entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLS Class, which makes up what it lacks in content with a much more upscale interior and refined driving experience.
Driving
The base V8 feels strong, but only if you really stomp on the gas. Otherwise, the Yukon's sluggish throttle response and soft brake pedal make for a disconnected driving experience. Maneuverability in tight spaces is also an issue.
Comfort
The cabin is impressively quiet, and the front seats provide all-day comfort. The base suspension manages sharp impacts well, but surprisingly small road imperfections tend to give the cockpit the shakes. The powerful air conditioning has no issue regulating cabin temperatures.
Interior
The controls are easy to find and use. The big doors, side steps and grab handles mean entry and exit is relatively easy for such a tall vehicle. There's plenty of room for the first two rows, but the third row has a high floor and lacks legroom compared to smaller competitors.
Utility
An impressive maximum tow rating of 8,400 pounds and plenty of small-item storage in the cabin are definite strengths. But the cargo area has a high floor that makes loading and unloading difficult, and storage space behind the third row lags behind competitors, even significantly smaller ones.
Technology
Even the base Yukon comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 4G hotspot with Wi-Fi. The GMC infotainment system is also generally easy to use. There are plenty of safety features, and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are available.
Which Yukon does Edmunds recommend?
Unless seating for nine people is a necessity, we recommend the SLT trim. This trim level's tilt-and-telescoping wheel and power-adjustable pedals mean the vehicle can accommodate more comfortable driving positions for most buyers. It also adds some useful features such as power-folding second- and third-row seats, a hands-free liftgate and proximity entry with push-button start.
2018 GMC Yukon models
The 2018 GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV offered in SLE, SLT and Denali trim levels. Most Yukons seat eight passengers, but an optional front bench seat on the SLE trim increases the capacity to nine. Second-row bucket seats are available on the SLT trim and standard on the Denali; they reduce passenger capacity to seven.
