The 2013 GMC Yukon is large on seating room, which makes it ideal for moving people. Cargo area seems decent, but towing power makes up for the lack of extra room on the inside. The availability of different engines makes for a wide price range, but overall the value is what can be expected from the identical twin of the Chevrolet Tahoe. A large list of standard features, smooth rides, and large size highlight the attraction points. While safety needs some important improvements for the roof strength, it proves impressive enough to call it a safe vehicle.
New For 2013
The Yukon adds two things for 2013: available champagne silver metallic paint and automatic downhill engine braking.
Exterior
The exterior of the Yukon remains mostly unchanged from the 2012 model. The only noticeable difference involves the new option of champagne silver metallic paint. Otherwise, the Yukon sports the same rounded front end and overall exterior design. The style of the SUV looks a bit more commanding when compared to other SUVs on the market. The GMC logo sits on the front, the lines look rather sharp and defined, and the overall look seems rather aggressive. One exterior option for the 2013 GMC Yukon is the chrome package. This package allows for chrome wheels to replace the standard alloy wheels. In addition, the front grille, normally a matte black finish, also gets chrome. Chrome also enhances the area around the doorframes and windows, and it appears on the running boards along the bottom.
GMC also offers the option of a power liftgate. This can also be used manually for those who prefer it.
Interior & Cargo
The interior and cargo space in the 2013 GMC Yukon highlights one of the most attractive attributes. The Yukon seats nine people with relative comfort and still has room to haul items in the cargo area. The finish of the interior looks very luxurious as the majority of the trim levels offer a titanium finish, which not only looks beautiful but extra durable as well. Leather seating is also available for the interior.
The 2013 GMC Yukon has third-row seating, which help to ensure there is more than enough room for everyone. The cargo area of the Yukon totals about 41.7 cubic feet in the cargo area of the Yukon. Strangely, the third-row seating cannot be placed down to increase the cargo space for those who need extra room, which marks one of the largest drawbacks of the Yukon's interior. The third row must be completely removed to increase the amount of cargo space. There is an option to place a DVD system in the Yukon, which can entertain children for those who travel frequently.
All Yukons come with three-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, and a sun sensor. The sun sensor takes into account the heat of the sun when cooling or warming the Yukon. The premium Bose audio system includes nine speakers and integration for iPods and other audio devices. Another area of interest about the interior of the Yukon is the onboard technology, which includes a navigation system located in the center of the dash for easy use.
Safety
The 2013 GMC Yukon is a relatively safe vehicle. In government crash testing, it receives four out of five stars for an overall safety rating. These ratings include five stars for frontal and side crash protection, but the low rating of three out of five stars for rollover protection drops the overall score.
The optional four-wheel-drive system features AutoTrac technology, which helps ensure that when driving on slippery roads, the vehicle has a better chance of remaining in control. Other safety features include six airbags, which include side-impact airbags and seat-mounted airbags for added protection. All models feature the blind spot awareness technology in use to warn the driver should an approaching vehicle approach the Yukon’s blind spot. In addition, the SLT-2 and Denali can also have a rearview camera installed to ensure there are no accidents when dealing with reversing into or out of a parking spot.
When going downhill, the engine automatically applies the brakes to keep the Yukon from gaining too much speed and getting out of control. This is adds tremendously to the safety of the vehicle. Overall, if the rollover safety issue were to be solved, the Yukon would be an extremely safe vehicle.
Driving Experience
The 2013 GMC Yukon SLE and SLT come standard with a 5.3-liter, V-8 engine that produces 320 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque. The Yukon Denali features the larger 403-hp, 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that produces 417 lb-ft or torque. All models feature a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
The GMC Yukon SLE and SLT have an estimated fuel economy of 15/21 mpg city/highway while the larger engine in the Yukon Denali drops this to 14/18 mpg city/highway. Overall, fuel economy proves decent for a full-size SUV.
The maneuvering of the 2013 GMC Yukon is impressive with its compact turning radius, but the lack of agility and somewhat unresponsive steering make it a little less charming. However, the engine shows great takeoff power and good stopping power. When used for highway driving, towing, and heavy lifting jobs, the Yukon performs extremely well.
Key Competitors For The 2013 GMC Yukon
- Toyota Sequoia
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Dodge Durango
- Nissan Armada
- Ford Expedition