2005 GMC Yukon XL Review
2005 GMC Yukon XL Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+95
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
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Huge interior, strong lineup of V8 engines, available Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system, extensive list of optional features.
Cons
- Some cheap interior materials considering the price, bulky size makes it unwieldy for daily use.
What’s new
Revisions for 2005 include a new optional touchscreen navigation system. Rear barn doors are no longer available, as all models now come with an overhead rear liftgate (with separate liftglass).
Edmunds says
One of our favorite big SUVs, thanks to strong engines, a smooth ride and excellent functionality and feature content.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500 SLE Rwd 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$287/mo for Yukon XL 1500 SLE
Yukon XL 1500 SLE
vs
$254/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Advertisement
Also Consider
2024 GMC Yukon Denali
SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate
Starting MSRP$74,805
See All Trims
GMC.com
*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.
AdvertisementAt a Glance:
Also Consider
Build Your 2024 Yukon Denali
- 7 Colors
- 5 Trims
- 5 Packages
- $74,805starting MSRP
Build & PriceGMC.com
*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 GMC Yukon XL.
5 star(69%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
61 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Vortec 6.0 is AMAZING! LOVE This Denali XL.
Barry Gartner, 11/30/2015
2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500 SLE Rwd 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
The Denali XL is everything you need to get your family up to the Cabin, tow your toys, and more. This vehicle is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. It is smooth, powerful, comfortable, and has AWD for towing my Ice-House, Boat, Snowmobiles, and ATV's. The Denali has the Vortec 6.0 but this is essentially the same engine as the 5.3. My Vortec 6.0 has 232,948 miles and does … not burn oil between changes. I have had to perform repairs on this vehicle which I will list but most of them were only after 200,000 and well worth the investment. These vehicles will easily go 400,000 with routine maintenance.
Maintenance & Tips:
**TIP 1** Buy a blue tooth OBD2 adapter online for $20 and then get the Torque App for your iPhone/Android to monitor/trouble-shoot data and reset error codes.
**TIP 2** Change the fluids on this truck regularly. It will pay off in the long run. These trucks will last FOREVER. You can do both the front differential, rear differential, and transfer case very easily/cheap. The same goes for the transmission but that takes about 17 quarts and isn't exactly cheap to do a total flush but it is much cheaper than a whole new transmission.
**TIP 3** Search Online for videos for trouble-shooting and repair. I guarantee you will find out how to do many of these repairs yourself/cheap.
1. Transmission may go around 200,000 miles = $3,700 to repair.
2. Rear Air Suspension will go around the same time = $800 to $2,700/Dealer to repair. You do not have to put the Air Suspension rear back in/Kit Replacement. I however Love the air suspension for towing, etc.
3. Passenger Side leak into Heater Blower Motor. This shorts out the Fan. Easy fix, take off the wipers and the plastic grate between the windshield and the hood. There is an oval metal plate with cracked brittle caulk. Reseal this or put another bigger metal plate over this with caulk. TIP: Pull out the wet metal heat sink heater fan control module and dry it out. It will come back to life. No need to spend money on this.
4. DON"T spray off this engine at the Self-Serve Car Wash. Water on the top side will drain down and short out the anti-knock sensors on the top of the intake and you will start throwing codes. I had to replace both (2) anti-knock sensors and the wire harness.
5. The intake gasket will need to be replaced at some point if it has not been already. It will throw lean bank 1 or 2 codes when it is time to replace. I think the original was green and the replacement is orange and a better design. Easy fix, just take your time to do it right.
6. If you start to get a random misfire code when it is hot/towing that only happens when you stop it is the front O2 Sensor. Easy fix. Get on the ground and do it yourself. They sell a cheap tool to remove/replace these.
7. Low Oil Pressure when first started cold. Some of these engines will lose oil pressure when first started COLD. Then as the engine warms the oil pressure will come up to normal. That is your clue. A rubber ring in the oil pickup tube has become brittle and cracked. When it warms up it expands and your oil pressure comes back to normal.
FIX: Bring this to a shop with some good old boys who are not afraid of a little work. The front differential can be dropped with two people and a hoist in about 20 minutes/intact. This will grant access to drop the oil pan which has to be removed to get to the oil pump pickup tube so that the rubber o-ring can be replaced. $350 - $550 to repair. Don't take it to the dealership for this one. They will want 1K to fix this and it isn't that hard to do.
FINAL TIP: Don't be afraid to work on this vehicle. I have performed every repair on this besides the o-ring replacement and the transmission. Working on this has saved me thousands of dollars and prevented me from having to fork out another 50k for a new vehicle. Don't believe for one second that a new GMC truck with the 6.2 is the answer. People are buying these and having oil burning issues from the factory. Not to mention transmission issues, etc. Newer isn't always better. I for one will be driving my 2005 GMC Denali XL for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Barry G
4.88 out of 5 stars
2005 Denali Yukon XL
uptonmavrick, 08/26/2014
2005 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
I purchased this vehicle with 209,254 miles on it for $7,783 + Tax/Title. The interior looks new but the exterior has a few dings and a little rust starting here and there. It Runs & Drives like NEW! Everything works! I burn no oil between oil changes but the rear seal leaks a bit. I purchased this for towing and know a few people who are also driving these GM's with over 200,000 … clicks/no problems. These vehicles get driven hard and simply keep going. We tow Ice Houses, Campers, etc. Getting stuck is a regular occurrence. Forward, Reverse, Forward... Stomp it. These things keep going! Add gas & change fluids regularly. Simply AMAZING machines..........
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great vehicle for the SUV Enthusiast.
crypkeypr, 10/17/2014
2005 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
I purchased the vehicle for $8,700 just recently and already have driven it well over 500 miles in a 2 week span. Everything I have looked at so far shows it has almost if not all factory equipment and parts. The 6 disk changer was damaged but with the built in cd player I removed it and wired in a usb device to allow playback over the factory radio. The ride is far more than I expected … from such a large vehicle, the engine is perfect for the size. I have had no issues with the interior or exterior giving any aged problems. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a superb SUV that has all the bells and whistles to go with it.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Practical use in rough country
j savini, 01/06/2005
2005 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD 4dr SUV (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
In wet or muddy conditions you need to disable the stabilization system and let the wheels spin the mud off or face getting stuck. In snow or ice the system works good.
2005 Yukon XL Highlights
1500 SLE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $38,935 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $287/month |
Seating | 9 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 45.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Yukon XL include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
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
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
People who viewed this also viewed
1.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews. |
Starting at $58,200 |
4.5 average Rating out of 2 reviews. |
Starting at $57,600 |
3.7 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $55,105 |
Related Used 2005 GMC Yukon XL info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2014
- Used Maserati Quattroporte 2020
- Used Jaguar F-TYPE 2014
- Used Cadillac XTS 2016
- Used Audi S6 2022
Shop similar models
- Used Jeep Grand-wagoneer
- Used Dodge Durango
- Used Lincoln Navigator
- Used Cadillac Escalade
- Used Cadillac Escalade-esv
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used GMC Yukon XL 2017 For Sale
- Used GMC Yukon XL 2015 For Sale
- Used GMC Yukon XL 2019
- Used GMC Suburban 2012
- Used GMC Yukon XL 2016
- Used GMC Suburban 2014
- Used GMC Suburban 2018
- Used GMC Yukon XL 2010
- Used GMC Suburban 2011
- Used GMC Yukon XL 2013
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- F Ford 350
- 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer News
- Jeep Compass 2023
- 2023 Model 3
- 2024 Mustang
- BMW I7
- Mini Cooper Car 4 Door
- 2023 Volkswagen Taos
- Chevy Malibu Car
- 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Research other models of Gmc
- Gmcat4
- Hummer Ev
- GMC Acadia
- GMC Canyon Pickup Truck
- 2024 GMC Acadia
- 2023 Suburban
- GMC Denali Limited
- 2024 GMC Sierra 1500
- Terrain SUV
- Yukon Denali
Research similar vehicles
- Kia Seltos
- Mercedes Gle Class Coupe
- 2023 Toyota Sequoia
- Lincoln Aviator
- Mazda CX 30
- 2023 Hyundai Palisade
- Cadillac XT4
- Acura SUV RDX
- 2024 Land Rover Defender
Other models
- New Audi Q3 for Sale in Avondale, AZ
- New Honda Accord for Sale in Reseda, CA
- New Nissan Murano for Sale in Columbia, MD
- New Volkswagen Atlas-Cross-Sport for Sale in Oak Creek, WI
- Used Jeep Patriot in Ashland, OH
- Used Bentley Continental-Supersports in Post Falls, ID
- Used Lexus Is-500 in La Crosse, WI
- Used BMW 8-Series-Gran-Coupe in Melbourne, FL
- Used Honda Prelude in Brazil, IN
- Used Suzuki Forenza in Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM