2004 GMC Yukon Review
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By Mitch McCullough

Overview

The GMC Yukon is sized right for large families. Its cabin is roomy, it can carry a load of people and a mountain of cargo, and it can pull heavy trailers. Yet it'll fit into a garage more easily than a Suburban or even an Expedition.

The Yukon offers a nice ride and a choice of V8 engines. The Yukon Denali is a luxury version that adds a sumptuous interior, a bigger engine, and full-time all-wheel drive.

For 2004, Yukon comes standard with a tire-pressure monitor and sophisticated Hydroboost brakes.

Model Lineup

Three trim levels are available for the GMC Yukon: SLE, SLT, and Denali.

Yukon SLE ($34,910) and SLE 4WD ($37,610) come loaded with manual dual-zone air conditioning, a split-bench front seat with power adjustment for the driver, anti-lock brakes (ABS), self-leveling suspension, CD stereo with eight speakers, power windows, power door locks, fog lights, tinted glass, heated outside mirrors, leather wrapped steering wheel, and alarm. A 285-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 is standard; a 295-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 is optional ($700).

Yukon SLT ($37,440) and SLT 4WD ($40,140) adds automatic tri-zone air conditioning, a premium Bose stereo with nine speakers, high-back bucket seats with leather inserts, rear seat audio controls, and assist steps. New SLT options for 2004 include 17-inch, six-spoke premium aluminum wheels ($295), which can be shod with either all-season blackwalls or whitewalls, or on/off-road blackwalls. The SLT Plus Equipment Group ($40,895 or $43,595 with 4WD) upgrades the quality of the leather and adds more power adjustments and a memory function to the seats. SLT Plus also features side-impact airbags, outside mirrors with ground illumination and turn signals (and electrochromic dimming on the driver's side), power-adjustable pedals, third-row seating, and more. The 5.3-liter V8 comes standard on SLT Plus.

Yukon Denali ($49,310) is the most upscale model, and comes with a big 6.0-liter V8 engine, full-time all-wheel drive, StabiliTrak stability control, and a computer-controlled AutoRide suspension. In fact, nearly every desirable feature is standard on Denali, including heated leather 10-way power seats, On-Star driver assistance, nine-speaker Bose stereo with XM Satellite Radio capability and in-dash six-disc CD changer, and 17-inch alloy wheels. A sunroof ($1,000) and an engine block heater ($35) are optional.

For 2004, the Trailering Group ($330) now includes a seven-to-four-pin adapter and electric brake wiring harness, in addition to a hitch platform, transmission oil cooler, and high-capacity air cleaner.