2017 GMC Yukon XL Review

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Used Yukon XL for sale

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Seating for up to nine passengers
Nicer interior than other truck-based, full-size SUVs
All-terrain mobility with four-wheel drive
Tow rating is higher than average for the class

Cons

The Yukon XL's size and weight make it less maneuverable around town
Lazy throttle response makes it feel weaker than it is
only the base model delivers nine-passenger capacity
Utility of cargo space is compromised by a high load floor

What’s new

For 2017, the GMC Yukon XL now adds automatic low-speed emergency braking to the existing forward collision warning system and a teen-driver management system. Cooled seats have now been replaced with ventilated seats, the input capability for the rear entertainment system has been updated, and a head-up instrument display is standard with the Denali trim.

Vehicle overview

The 2017 GMC Yukon XL speaks to shoppers who want a full-size SUV that can transport up to nine people and either haul or tow heavy loads, which is the kind of capability most often used in weekend recreation. This truck-based platform delivers, yet it also compromises everyday utility.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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

$228/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Though the Yukon XL is a luxurious interpretation of a full-size SUV, its truck-based hardware can't rival carlike crossover SUVs when it comes to everyday comfort and maneuverability. On the plus side, the interior is spacious for front- and middle-row passengers, and it also offers a full complement of convenience features. On the negative side, the Yukon XL's large dimensions can handicap its around-town agility, while the suspension can't deliver a carlike ride. In the end, these combined characteristics result in only average grades in our evaluations.

In these respects the Yukon XL resembles the mechanically identical Chevrolet Suburban, although the GMC is a bit more luxurious and the Chevy has greater off-road capability. Other choices in the segment of full-size sport-utilities include the truck-based Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia, both of which are strong competitors, although they rely on mechanical packages that have been in production for a decade. Despite its age, the Toyota nevertheless achieves higher scores in our testing.

Standard safety features on all 2017 GMC Yukon XL models include antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera. A center airbag between the front bucket seats (when so equipped) deploys in side-impact crashes. Also standard is OnStar, which includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation, as well as a teen-driver management system.

Available safety equipment includes forward collision alert with automatic braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, a vibrating safety-alert seat, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.

In Edmunds brake testing, both a two-wheel-drive Suburban and four-wheel-drive Yukon Denali XL came to a stop from 60 mph in 134 feet. This distance is longer than average.

In government crash tests, the Yukon earned a four out of five stars for overall and front-impact crash protection, five stars for side-impact protection and three stars for rollover protection.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

The 2017 GMC Yukon XL's nine-passenger capacity and strong towing capability help it excel at weekend recreation, but shoppers interested only in daily transportation might be better served by crossover SUVs that are easier to drive.

Driving

The 2017 GMC Yukon XL's standard 5.3-liter V8 has the potential to deliver potent power, but the lack of throttle response leaves it feeling weaker than it really is. The effort required to depress the throttle pedal is the culprit, a measure made by GMC to improve fuel economy. As a result, there's a significant pause before engine power increases, and it's necessary to go the gas pedal early and aggressively to accelerate to highway speeds and pass slower cars. On the plus side, this engine is very smooth and quiet.

On the whole, the GMC Yukon XL delivers a luxurious experience. Both wind roar and road noise are effectively muffled. The optional adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension does a good job of absorbing larger bumps and thumps from the road surface, although smaller ripples and pavement imperfections send a little shake into the cabin. We suggest passing on the 22-inch wheel option because the large tires will further degrade ride comfort.

For weekend recreation, the extra-large truck-based Yukon XL offers a unique range of capabilities, yet there's no escaping the XL's size and weight from Monday through Friday. Around town, the Yukon XL is capable but sometimes not comfortable, and heavy traffic makes you aware that you're driving a truck, not a car.

Interior

With an overall length approaching 19 feet, the 2017 GMC Yukon XL offersStandard safety features on all 2017 GMC Yukon XL models include antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera. A center airbag between the front bucket seats (when so equipped) deploys in side-impact crashes. Also standard is OnStar, which includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation, as well as a teen-driver management system.

In Edmunds brake testing, both a two-wheel-drive Suburban and four-wheel-drive Yukon Denali XL came to a stop from 60 mph in 134 feet. This distance is longer than average.

In government crash tests, the Yukon earned a four out of five stars for overall and front-impact crash protection, five stars for side-impact protection and three stars for rollover protection.

a full-size platform for all kinds of uses. Not surprisingly, there's plenty of space up front, but taller drivers might want to avoid the base SLE model because it lacks a telescoping steering wheel. Such a large vehicle size also compromises outward visibility in tight situations, although the standard parking sensors and rearview camera alleviate some of the stress of backing into a parking space.

Whether you select a bench or bucket seats for the second row, Yukon XL passengers will enjoy the roomy accommodations. Unfortunately, the folding mechanisms for the second-row seats limit the range of adjustments. The third-row seats are thinly padded to help deliver a flat load surface when they are folded, and the seats are also mounted close to the floor, which reduces legroom. Regardless of where you sit, the quality of the Yukon XL's interior materials is better than average for full-size SUVs, especially for higher trim levels.

Cargo space is comparable to the Toyota Sequoia but smaller than the Ford Expedition XL. The Yukon XL has 39.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 76.7 cubic feet behind the second row and a 121.1-cubic-foot maximum capacity. The Yukon XL is capable of holding all of your stuff, yet be aware that the relatively high cargo floor (necessary to afford clearance for the suspension beneath) can make the loading process strenuous.

2017 GMC Yukon XL models

The 2017 GMC Yukon XL is a full-size SUV offered in SLE, SLT and Denali trim levels. There is typically seating for eight passengers, but the SLE trim's optional front bench seat increases capacity to nine. Second-row bucket seats are available on the SLT trim and standard on the Denali, thereby reducing passenger capacity to seven. The smaller Yukon is covered in a separate review.

Standard features for the SLE trim include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, foglights, rocker-sill passenger steps, cargo rails on the roof, front and rear parking sensors, automatic windshield wipers, cruise control, remote keyless entry and ignition, and a trailer hitch receiver with a wiring harness.

On the inside, you get tri-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats with a 10-way power driver seat, 60/40-split folding second- and third-row seats, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, a teen-driver monitoring system that controls certain vehicle settings, OnStar emergency telematics with navigation, a 110-volt power outlet, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, IntelliLink infotainment system, Wi-Fi hot spot, 8-inch touchscreen interface, a rearview camera, nine-speaker Bose audio system with a CD player, satellite and HD radio, mobile apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB input.

The Enhanced Driver Alert option package adds forward collision alert with automatic low-speed emergency braking, a vibrating safety-alert driver seat, automatic high beams, and lane keeping assist. The Convenience package adds a power-operated liftgate, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals and a universal garage-door opener.

The SLT trim includes all of the above, plus a hands-free, power-operated liftgate, power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming driver side mirror, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, a heated and power-operated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 12-way power driver and front passenger seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, driver-seat memory functions, and a wireless charging pad.

The top-of-the-line Denali trim adds a more powerful engine, 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension, a trailer brake controller, a head-up instrument display, active noise cancellation, second-row bucket seats, a navigation system with real-time traffic, and a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system.

Some features on higher-trimmed models are available on supporting models at additional cost. Optional features for SLE and SLT trims include 22-inch wheels and an HD Trailering package (unique axle ratio, trailer brake controller and a self-leveling suspension). The SLT and Denali are eligible for a sunroof, adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with HDMI and MHL input. The Denali is eligible for power-retractable passenger steps.

The 2017 GMC Yukon XL is available with two different engines, based on trim level. SLE and SLT models come with a 5.3-liter V8 engine that produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. These four-wheel-drive models come with a single-speed transfer case, but a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing for challenging off-road terrain is available as an option. Properly equipped, the maximum tow rating for the two-wheel-drive Yukon XL in SLE or SLT trim is 8,300 pounds.

During Edmunds testing, the mechanically identical Chevrolet Suburban went from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds in both rear- and four-wheel-drive configurations. This is acceptable performance, but the Ford Expedition EL is quicker. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 mpg combined (16 city/23 highway) for the 5.3-liter V8 with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive drops the estimate to 18 mpg combined (15 city/22 highway).

The 2017 GMC Yukon Denali is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It comes with an eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while the optional four-wheel-drive setup includes the two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road mobility. A four-wheel-drive GMC Yukon Denali XL accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is very quick and compares favorably with the Ford Expedition. Maximum towing capacity is 8,100 pounds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg combined (15 city/22 highway) with two-wheel drive and 16 mpg combined (14 city/20 highway) for the four-wheel-drive model.

Also Consider

2024 GMC Yukon Denali

SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate

Starting MSRP$74,805

See All Trims

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*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.

Also Consider

Build Your 2024 Yukon Denali

At a Glance:

7 Colors
5 Trims
5 Packages
$74,805starting MSRP

Build & PriceGMC.com

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Average

#14 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the GMC Yukon XL from 2008-2022.}

$652/yr

vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.64x/yr

vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

20.4%

vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 GMC Yukon XL.

5 (44%)

4 (7%)

3 (18%)

2 (11%)

1 (20%)

3.5

27 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

XL for empty nesters

Robert Bob, 02/10/2017

2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 8A)

This is a big SUV that doesn't feel big when driving. Easy to park and has a small turning radius. We often have our kids and grandkids with us and routinely haul 7 people in this and love the legroom and cargo room with everyone on board. The ride and quiet cabin are spectacular and the fuel mileage is better than expected. Has tons of torque and pulling our 4,000 lb boat is … effortless. It is easy to back the boat up too with large mirrors and good backup camera. Like the auto leveling rear shocks. My only disappointment in the vehicle is GM's decision to eliminate the ability to pause and rewind live radio that my previous vehicles had. This was available before 2016 but GM eliminated it which is a shame. My 2015 GMC Canyon had this feature but a $70,000 vehicle doesn't. Doesn't make sense! Had trouble with torque converter clutch but dealer was able to resolve with fluid flush and new transmission fluid type. Problem caused shudder or vibration in 8th gear that felt like going over rumble strips. RPM fluctuated between 1600 and 1800 when TCC clutch was not happy. Downshifting into 7th gear would eliminate problem at the expense of poorer gas milage. Problem started at 16,000 miles. Have 17,000 miles on it now and problem is gone after fluid flush and change. Car is very quiet and subsequently any rattles are heard very easily. Chased a problem with a rattling/popping noise that sounded like is was coming from the right side dash area. Disassembled many components inside the glove box/dash area looking for it and finally found the noise was coming from the right front inner fender well! The noise could be duplicated by standing on and off the front part of the running board. The noise was from a loose spot weld on inner fender metal. Placing a section of close cell foam under panel solved the noise! Fixed by owner! Still not happy with GMC 22" wheels that cause harsh and rough ride. 22" wheels should not be an option on this car! Changed to Michelin Defender tires and solved vibration problems with original Bridgestone Dueler tires but this 22" size tire has low profile sidewalls which contributes to tires not absorbing bumps well and transmitting the bumps to the passengers. Car would ride much smoother on 18" or maybe 20" wheels. These wheels were a $2,400 option from GMC and it was a waste of money in my opinion. They are also very hard to keep clean and not very happy with the chrome plastic inserts on the wheels. Just learned the owner can't rotate tires and reset TPMS system without a special tool! This tool should be included with a $70,000 vehicle. Unfortunate that a simple routine simple maintenance task can't be accomplished without the $100 tool or a trip to the dealer or tire shop. If the TPMS system is not updated after wheel rotation, tire positions will not agree with dash display in the event of a tire problem. Have recent issue with powered running boards installed by GMC. They fail to extend when doors are opened occasionally. Both sides are affected. They have been lubricated and problem still exists. Car sits very high on 22” wheels and the running boards are critical for wife or kids to get in. Dealer service visit scheduled to diagnose/repair. Finally got dealer to recognize my intermittent running board problem by taking multiple video captures when they failed to extend or retract. They replaced the motors on both sides and they are now working normally. Torque converter clutch shudder returned at 35,000 miles. Dealer replaced trans fluid with a newer updated fluid that doesn’t absorb moisture. Problem has been resolved for now, again! Noticed leaking left axle seal while rotating tires. Taking back to dealer again to repair! Too bad the dealer didn’t notice this problem while changing trans fluid a week earlier! Still love the car and there is nothing comparable in the marketplace. Average MPG on Hwy is 23 and 19 around town. Added oil "catch can" at 37,000 miles and cleaned intake manifold and valves prior to addition. The catch can captures about 4 oz of breather oil every 4,000 miles. Running Amsoil Signature 0W-20 oil full synthetic with once a year change. Catch can should be installed when new to keep intake valves and manifold clean. GDI engines are prone to carbon buildup on valves due to design.

Electrical nightmare / general poor reliability

Mike, 05/27/2018

2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)

Over 15 visits to repair electronics. Random faults would appear and had to replace electrical harnesses in the first year. Replaced front wheel bearings after less than 1 year. Continual reprogramming of software. Electronic transmission was erratic and took 3 times to repair. For almost $80K very disappointed. Traded fo Infiniti QX 80

My3rd Large GM SUV is most expensive and worst yet

J, 02/24/2018

2017 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)

This is my 3rd Large GM SUV after having a 2001 Tahoe and 2012 Suburban (both of which I love) and owning it has been an absolute nightmare. I've had 6 different warranty issues and the car has spent 21 of the first two months I owned it in Dealership service for warranty work. If I could give "0" stars I would. Issues have been paint related in three areas, a recurring steering column …

Think twice!

Caleb Rutledge, 11/06/2017

2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 8A)

We bought this vehicle because we love the yukon Denali's. We replaced a 2009 Denali. Unfortunatly the price does not reflect the quality. We paid just under $85,000 out the door for our loaded Denali XL. We knew going in that there could be transmission problems because of other reviews. What we didn't know is that everything in this vehicle is cheaply made. It shows nice but is only …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, so we've included reviews for other years of the Yukon XL since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the GMC Yukon XL

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2017 Yukon XL Highlights

Trim:

SLE

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$51,230
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Yukon XL include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover21.2%

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2017 GMC Yukon XL Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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.}

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Driving

Interior

2017 GMC Yukon XL models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 GMC Yukon XL.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

XL for empty nesters

Electrical nightmare / general poor reliability

My3rd Large GM SUV is most expensive and worst yet

Think twice!

2017 Yukon XL Highlights

Safety

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2017 GMC Yukon XL Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Driving

Interior

2017 GMC Yukon XL models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

XL for empty nesters

Electrical nightmare / general poor reliability

My3rd Large GM SUV is most expensive and worst yet

Think twice!

2017 Yukon XL Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2017 GMC Yukon XL info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Gmc

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL SLE 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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.}