2004 GMC Yukon Review (continued)
Add your own review or comments

Walkaround

Built on GM's excellent full-size truck platform, the Yukon is the same size and has much in common with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. Yukon is 20 inches shorter than the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, making it much easier to park and garage. It is slightly smaller than the Ford Expedition, but longer and wider than the GMC Envoy, Chevy TrailBlazer, and Ford Explorer. Yukon is wider and shorter than the Envoy XL, giving it better stability in cornering and more comfortable accommodations for third-row occupants.

Yukon is conservatively styled. It looks like a shortened version of the Yukon XL, which looks like a fancy Suburban, which is what it is. Its arched roofline provides extra headroom for the second and third-row seats.

The Denali is distinguished from the other Yukons by its aftermarket-inspired chrome grille. For 2004, the Denali also sports a chromed exhaust tip.

Most Yukons come with a rear hatch, which lifts up to open. The rear window can be opened separately for quick loading or unloading of smaller items. However, Yukon SLE and SLT models offer old-fashioned side-by-side cargo doors as a delete option. Cargo doors are sometimes more useful, particularly when towing trailers.

Interior Features

The Yukon is comfortable and convenient. Getting inside is easy, thanks to pull-out style door handles that replace the old lift-up style openers. Step-in height is lower than in previous-generation models, making it easier to climb into the driver's seat.

The front seats were redesigned for 2003, but we have trouble getting comfortable at times. The Denali's leather upholstery looks and feels nice, however. Also, the shoulder harnesses fit well and are easy to wear because they are mounted on the seats. Visibility out of the Yukon is very good, thanks to large windows.

Second-row seating is roomy and comfortable. Second-row bucket seats are optional ($490) in SLT and Denali, but not SLE. They offer excellent support and can be adjusted individually. We sometimes think they're more comfortable than the front seats.

Yukon's optional third-row seat ($360-$760, depending on upholstery) provides space for adults' feet. It isn't a lot of space, but it is there. The third row folds, flips, slides and removes easily. In fact, whichever way you choose to stow the third row, it's easy to do; it has wheels to help roll it into the garage for storage. Like most third rows, it's best for kids or occasional use. Getting into and out of that third-row seat isn't easy for adults. If you're going to put big people back there on a regular basis, we recommend the longer GMC Yukon XL.

Up front, all of the switchgear and ancillary controls are mounted close to the driver. Climate controls and audio controls are easy to use yet are quite sophisticated in their operation. We enjoyed the Bose nine-speaker stereo with subwoofer. Rather than embedding the antenna in a window for fashion reasons, the Yukon uses an external antenna for improved radio reception. For 2004, OnStar and XM satellite radio share a single, low-profile exterior antenna.

The Panasonic DVD Passenger Entertainment System ($1295) includes a seven-inch flip-down screen for second-seat passengers; plus two sets of wireless (infrared) headphones with independent volume control, a wireless remote control and three sets of auxiliary video and audio inputs. The wireless headphones are light and comfortable, and the display offers a crisp picture. For 2004, the DVD player and sunroof are packaged together in the Sun, Sound & Entertainment package.

Safety is enhanced by dual-stage front airbags. Side-impact airbags are optional ($350) on SLE and SLT, standard on SLT Plus and Denali. New for 2004 is a tire-pressure monitoring system, which continuously checks inflation pressures in each of the four tires and flashes a graphic on the instrument cluster should air pressure in one of them drop below a specified level.