But for others, nothing can take the place of a large, powerful and roomy SUV, especially those who need to tow and haul. It's for these faithful that GMC intends the mostly all-new 2007 Yukon and Yukon Denali.
Inside, everything's new. Seats are lighter, more comfortable. The dash is seriously simplified, with major reductions in confusing knobs, buttons and displays. The interior styling is refreshingly elegant, hinting at aspirations for entry-luxury status.
An equally new exterior wraps around that delightful interior. The re-styled front end remains true to the GMC trademark shapes and geometric but with a thoroughly modern flavor. Sides shorn of overbearing cladding add lightness to an otherwise fairly substantial presence. Optional, 20-inch polished wheels add a touch of high fashion trendiness.
The 2007 Yukon is three inches longer than last year's model, nearly all of which goes to added front seat legroom and cargo area, but the wheelbase is the same length.
The popular 5.3-liter V8 engine gets a moderate boost in power and, perhaps more important, an ingenious system that shuts down half the cylinders under light load, improving fuel economy by one or two miles per gallon. The base 4.8-liter V8 gets a slight boost in power, too. At the top of the line, the luxurious Yukon Denali boasts a new 6.2-liter V8 generating 380 horsepower with a new six-speed automatic.
The Yukon seats six to nine passengers and is rated to tow up to 7700 pounds when properly equipped, enough to tow cars, boats and horses. All in all, a nice package and a real leap forward from the previous generation.
Adding to the appeal, starting MSRP for the 2007 Yukon is more than $3000 less than the comparable 2006 Yukon, itself re-priced in the fall of 2005 as part of GM's Value Pricing initiative.
The 2007 GMC Yukon lineup offers a choice of three different V8 engines and a choice of two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive except the Yukon Denali, which comes with all-wheel drive.
The standard GMC Yukon comes with a 290-hp 4.8-liter V8 and four-speed automatic. The 4.8-liter engine is not part of the initial launch, however. Once it's available, we expect the Yukon will be available at a lower base price.
The Yukon SLE 2WD ($33,815) and 4WD ($37,615) come with the 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management and four-speed automatic. Also available is the 5.3-liter V8 with AFM and E85 Flex-Fuel capability. Standard equipment includes cruise control; multi-zone air conditioning front and rear; AM/FM/CD/MP3, eight-speaker stereo; driver information center; the usual powered features, with the outside mirrors heated and foldable; a six-way, power driver's seat; leather-wrapped, tilt steering wheel; cloth upholstery; 40/20/40 split front bench seat with manual recliners; 60/40 split folding second row bench seat; roof rails; locking rear differential; 17-inch, bright aluminum wheels; and three power outlets. A second-tier SLE 2WD ($35,565) and 4WD ($38,365) adds foglamps, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, rear-seat audio controls and outputs and cargo cover and mat; replaces the front bench seat with a pair of buckets and a center console; and upgrades the stereo speakers to a nine-speaker-with-subwoofer, Bose Premium system.
The uplevel Yukon SLT 2WD ($37,995) and 4WD ($40,795) are available with either of the 5.3-liter V8s, both fitted with the four-speed automatic. In addition to or in place of similar features on the SLE, the SLT gets automatic climate control; power adjustable pedals; front tow hooks; leather-trimmed, bucket front seats; leather-appointed, 60/40 split, second row bench seat; six-disc CD changer; rear seat audio controls and outputs; programmable remote garage opener; and remote start. There's also a second-tier SLT 2WD ($40,060) and 4WD ($42,860) that add roof rack cross bars; outside mirrors upgraded with integrated turn signals, ground illumination, reverse-tilting and driver-side auto dimming; heated, 12-way power driver and six-way power front passenger seats with two-setting driver side memory; vinyl-covered, 50/50 split, two-passenger, third-row bench seat; and XM Satellite Radio.
Yukons offer extensive lists of options, both free standing and in packages. Popular packages include two navigation systems, one of which incorporates a DVD capability ($2145); and the rear seat entertainment system ($1295); and the power liftgate ($350). The third-row seat comes in two forms: two-passenger and a three-passenger.
Options include XM Satellite Radio ($199), power adjustable pedals ($120), power sunroof ($995), roof rack cross bars ($45), power release for the curb-side second row seat ($425), heated second-row seats ($200), rain-sensing windshield wipers ($95), 20-inch wheels ($1795), front fog lamps ($140), six-disc CD changer stereo upgrade ($300), remote starter ($175) and retractable cargo cover ($70). Finally, by way of cold weather, towing and off-road options, but again only on some models, buyers can order one of two lower rear axle ratios ($100), an engine block heater ($50), a heavy duty transmission oil cooler ($95), a windshield washer fluid heater ($85), an off-road skid plate ($125), and Autoride suspension with variable shocks and air-assisted real load leveling ($1120).
The top-level Yukon Denali ($47,115) comes with a 380-hp 6.2-liter V8 with all-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic. Standard features over and above those expected include heated first- and second-row seats; auxiliary transmission oil cooler; locking rear differential; power second-row seat release; front-row bucket seats, second-row Captain's chairs and removable three-passenger, third-row bench seat; digital 10-speaker Premium Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System;
They offer distinctive styling, spacious and refined interiors, exceptional driving characteristics and segment-leading safety features – including standard head curtain side air bags for all seating rows on all models.
Continual refinements designed to further enhance performance, comfort and convenience highlight the 2006 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs as they enter their final model year of the current generation. These evolutionary changes lay the groundwork for the next generation of Yukon SUVs, which will build on the maneuverability, roominess, comfort and uncompromising capabilities that have made the vehicles so valued by customers
GMC Yukon and Yukon XL offer a wide choice of models to fit every need, including two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, half-ton and three-quarter-ton ratings, and with four different-displacement engines, including the Vortec 4800 4.8L V-8, Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8, Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 and Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8. In addition, the Vortec 5300 is a Flex-Fuel engine, which can operate on a combination of gasoline and E85 ethanol fuel. Yukon interiors can be configured for five to nine passengers. Cargo room is expansive, with up to 104.6 cubic feet (2,962 L) of available space behind the first-row seats in Yukon and up to 131.6 cubic feet (3,726 L) of cargo space behind the first-row seats of the Yukon XL.
Professional Grade powertrains
2006 Yukon and Yukon XL have a wide array of powertrain choices. The Yukon ’s standard engine is the Vortec 4800 4.8L V-8, which is rated at 285 horsepower (213 kw) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm). The Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 is standard on the Yukon XL and optional on the Yukon . The Vortec 5300 is rated at 295 horsepower (220 kw) and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (463 Nm). The Yukon XL 2500 Series are equipped with the standard Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8, which is rated at 335 horsepower (250 kw) and 375 ft.-lb. of torque (508 Nm). Optional on the Yukon XL 2500 series is the Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8, which is rated at 325 horsepower (242 kw) and 447 lb-ft. of trailer-towing torque (597 Nm).
The Flex-Fuel Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 is capable of running on either 87-octane regular unleaded gasoline or a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol. New programming in the engine control module recognizes the amount of ethanol in the fuel system, thus eliminating the need for a physical fuel sensor.
Ride and handling
Yukon ’s front suspension is an independent torsion bar design with a stabilizer bar. The rear suspension uses a multi-link coil spring design on half-ton models and a dual-stage multi-leaf spring design on 3/4-ton Yukons . An Autoride, bi-state variable shock dampening and rear air-assisted load-leveling suspension package is available. An off-road suspension package (Z71) is available on 4WD Yukon models. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and a locking, heavy-duty rear differential are standard. Yukon XL 2500 series can tow up to 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg) when properly equipped. The base towing capacity is 7,700 pounds (3,493 kg).
Safe and secure
In addition to StabiliTrak , Yukon and Yukon XL have a full complement of standard safety and security features. Dual-stage frontal driver and right front passenger air bags are standard. Dual-stage air bags reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury by sensing the crash severity. Depending on the conditions the air bags may or may not deploy. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring supplemental protection beyond safety belts. Safety belts remain the primary and most effective form of occupant protection. In severe frontal collisions the secondary air bag stage will deploy.
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