2020 GMC Yukon
Other years
2020 GMC Yukon Review
- Seating for up to nine people
- Impressive towing capacity from standard V8 engine
- Quiet and nicely trimmed cabin
- Sluggish engine and brake responses with standard engine
- High trunk floor reduces cargo space and makes loading items difficult
- Maneuvering in tight spaces is a challenge
- The GMC Yukon is essentially unchanged for 2020
- Part of the fourth Yukon generation introduced for 2015
The 2020 GMC Yukon's appeal is pretty familiar: It has lots of interior space, three rows of seating, and enough capability to tow just about anything you put behind it. Just like its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Yukon is based on a truck platform and has two robust V8 engines on offer.
The Yukon's traditional approach, however, isn't without some drawbacks. Compared to most crossover SUVs, the rear seats are mounted high and the cargo area has a high liftover height, which makes for difficult loading and unloading. What's more, the standard 5.3-liter V8 feels a bit overmatched in such a large vehicle, as do the merely adequate brakes.
If a three-row SUV with serious towing capacity is a must-have, we'd recommend looking at the Ford Expedition. It does a better job of combining truck-based utility with modern comfort. You could also check out the Tahoe if you want to save a bit of cash. The Yukon is a little nicer, but the differences are pretty minimal.
Our verdict | |
The Yukon we tested came equipped with the optional 6.2-liter V8, an adaptive suspension and a 10-speed automatic transmission. These are nice upgrades, but a high price and lackluster technology and utility make the Yukon a questionable choice for a large SUV. | |
How does the Yukon drive? | |
With the 6.2-liter V8, the Yukon is quick to accelerate. We measured a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. The 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but it's not as responsive as we'd like in city driving or traffic. You have to push the pedal down quite a bit to get a strong braking response. In our panic-braking test, the Yukon took a lengthy 141 feet to come to a stop from 60 mph. The Yukon's steering is precise, but there's no denying physics — it is a big and heavy SUV. We do like how the optional adaptive suspension does a good job of resisting body roll when cornering. The Yukon stays planted as long as you're not making tight turns. | |
How comfortable is the Yukon? | |
Comfortable front seats and a quiet cabin are the highlights of the Yukon's interior. But even the MagneRide suspension can't correct for the oversized wheels and unsophisticated chassis. Small, sharp bumps are transmitted into the cabin, making for a busy ride. Noise isolation is excellent. You won't hear much traffic and tire noise, and wind noise is no more than a low whooshing sound at speed. The tri-zone climate-control system is easy to operate and has straightforward controls. The back-and-butt or back-only heated seats warm up quickly, and seat ventilation is effective. | |
How’s the interior? | |
Passengers in the front and second rows enjoy plenty of space. There's knee, elbow and shoulder room to spare. Drivers should easily be able to find a comfortable seating position, too. The third row is perched up high, so adults will sit hugging their knees. There's also no toe room for third-row passengers. On anything longer than a short trip, the third row is ultimately for kids only. Most controls are clearly labeled and easy to locate, but the infotainment system is not as user-friendly as GM's newer setup found on other models. As for visibility, the views straight ahead and to the sides are commanding, but your view out of the back is poor. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Compared to the newer GM infotainment systems, this interface feels noticeably dated. It's more complicated to navigate, and the mix of touch and button controls is more awkward. The rearview camera is low-resolution and barely helpful at night. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard but integration isn't smooth. For example, you have to stop playing phone audio to adjust the stereo's tone settings. Voice controls work well enough for simple functions, but we had some issues inputting destinations to the nav system, with some extra steps required to complete a command. Sound quality for the optional stereo is average, but the system can handle plenty of volume without distortion. | |
How’s the storage? | |
With the second and third rows folded down, you get an impressive 94.7 cubic feet of storage space. Unfortunately, the cargo area is narrow and the load floor is high, limiting the usefulness of this space. Up front, there's sufficient space for small items, but it's not organized as well as in some rival SUVs. When it comes to family duty, the Yukon's raised seating positions make it a little difficult to get kids and safety seats in and out. But the car seat anchors are clearly marked, and there's plenty of second-row room for even the bulkiest car seats. The Yukon's max towing capacity of 8,500 pounds is nearly class-leading, and you can get an integrated brake controller and Trailer Sway Control. | |
How economical is the Yukon? | |
The 6.2-liter V8 with four-wheel drive returns nearly the same EPA-estimated mileage as the less powerful 5.3-liter engine: 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving. On our real-world evaluation loop we fell short of estimates, coming in around 16 mpg even with extensive freeway miles. | |
Is the Yukon a good value? | |
You get a lot of power for your money with the 6.2-liter V8, but overall the Yukon lacks the features and refinement we expect. Interior surface coverings make the cabin look nice at a glance, but they're still more plasticky than the materials in some rivals. We also noted a few creaks from our test vehicle's cabin during our testing. GMC's warranties are on par for the segment. | |
Wildcard | |
Certain aspects of the Yukon are cool. We admire the vibe of a big SUV with a big engine, and there's something laudable about this GMC's staunch faith in truck-based toughness. But the lack of refinement and smart design ultimately makes the Yukon a bit of a head-scratcher. | |
Which Yukon does Edmunds recommend?
At the top of the heap, the GMC Yukon we recommend is the Denali trim level. It comes standard with the 6.2-liter V8 and adaptive suspension, and it allows you access to some of the safety features you can't get on lower trim levels. If the Denali is a bit pricey for your taste, you might want to take a look at the nearly identical Chevy Tahoe.
GMC Yukon models
The 2020 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.
Save as much as $6,872 with Edmunds
2020 GMC Yukon pricing
in Ashburn, VA
SLE
5.3L 8cyl 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$49,265
SLT Standard Edition
5.3L 8cyl 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$54,900
SLT
5.3L 8cyl 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$59,734
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 GMC Yukon.
Trending topics in reviews
- appearance
- driving experience
- safety
- ride quality
- towing
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- interior
- fuel efficiency
- value
- transmission
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, LOVE IT
Ted Cwik,
Denali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
This vehicle has so many great features. The drive is so smooth. The car has a sleek, lean look.
Dealership staff was courteous, helpful and willing to work with us.
5/5 stars, Beast on the Road
Victor B. Cohen ,
Denali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
I just picked up my Black on Black 2020 Denali in Feb and I get so many compliments on it. I love everything about it and it has everything I was looking for in an SUV. I test drove the Denali XL and I felt it was a little to much for me since I was by myself. I recommend Earnhardt GMC Mazda, Buick in Las Vegas if you're looking for excellent customer service and they treat you like family. This is my first GMC SUV and i'm in this for life...
Victor B. Cohen NFL Alumni, Actor, Philanthropist.
4/5 stars, Slightly less than the 2017 Yukon
2020 Yukon SLT - 5.3,
SLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
replaced a loaded 17 SLT - 5.3 with a loaded 20-SLT-5.3. Everything has worked fine, did have to have the antenna replaced (warranty). Other than that zero issues. Primary complaint is the 6-speed transmission has slightly different shift points and overall the truck gets a full 1-MPG less than the 17 did.
5/5 stars, Yukon lover
Malcolm ,
Denali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A)
Good looking, stylish, many safety features and wide selection of colors.
Helpful shopping links
2020 GMC Yukon video
2017 GMC Yukon Expert Rundown Review
NOTE: This video is about the 2017 GMC Yukon, but since the 2020 GMC Yukon is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Looking for a truck-based vehicle that's capable of towing heavy loads and tackling off-road trails? The 2017 GMC Yukon might be a good fit. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Yukon safety features:
- Forward Collision Alert
- Warns the driver to take action to avoid colliding with a vehicle or other object in front of the SUV.
- Lane Keep Assist
- Alerts the driver when the SUV drifts out of its lane and delivers steering input to keep the vehicle in its lane.
- Safety Alert Seat
- Generates vibrating pulse patterns in the seat cushion to alert the driver to potential collisions on the left or right side of the car.
GMC Yukon vs. the competition
2020 GMC Yukon
2020 Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon vs. Ford Expedition
One of the Yukon's chief rivals, the Expedition is a top-notch full-size SUV with lots of space for the family. The Expedition is available in a number of trim levels and now comes standard with Ford's suite of safety tech called Co-Pilot360. Towing power is impressive too, with the Expedition capable of pulling up to 9,300 pounds in the right trim.
GMC Yukon vs. Toyota Land Cruiser
If you're looking for some serious off-road capability with your three-row SUV, you'll want to start your search with a Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser uses Toyota's advanced traction-control systems to help it get far off the beaten path, and the robust body-on-frame design means it can tow more than 8,000 pounds. Unfortunately, the Toyota's interior feels a bit dated, especially when it comes to smartphone connectivity.
GMC Yukon vs. Chevrolet Tahoe
The Yukon has an appealing combination of towing capability and interior space, but it's a bit pricey compared to its fraternal twin, the Chevy Tahoe. The less expensive Tahoe is available with most of the same equipment as the Yukon. You can even get the optional 6.2-liter V8. A decision between these two will largely depend on which creature comforts you want in your SUV.
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FAQ
Is the GMC Yukon a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 Yukon both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.9 out of 10. You probably care about GMC Yukon fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Yukon gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg to 18 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Yukon has 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a GMC Yukon. Learn more
What's new in the 2020 GMC Yukon?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 GMC Yukon:
- The GMC Yukon is essentially unchanged for 2020
- Part of the fourth Yukon generation introduced for 2015
Is the GMC Yukon reliable?
To determine whether the GMC Yukon is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Yukon. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Yukon's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2020 GMC Yukon a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 GMC Yukon is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2020 Yukon and gave it a 6.9 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 Yukon is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 GMC Yukon?
The least-expensive 2020 GMC Yukon is the 2020 GMC Yukon SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $49,600.
Other versions include:
- Denali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $69,700
- SLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $60,600
- Denali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A) which starts at $66,700
- SLT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $57,600
- SLE 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $52,600
- SLT Standard Edition 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $54,800
- SLT Standard Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $57,800
- SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $49,600
What are the different models of GMC Yukon?
If you're interested in the GMC Yukon, the next question is, which Yukon model is right for you? Yukon variants include Denali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 10A), SLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A), Denali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 10A), and SLT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A). For a full list of Yukon models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more