2005 GMC Yukon XL 2500 Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The GMC Yukon XL is a long-wheelbase version of the Yukon, just as the Suburban is a long-wheelbase version of the Chevy Tahoe. XL means eXtra Long: Yukon XL is based on the same platform as the Yukon, but it's stretched 14 inches in wheelbase and about 20 inches overall. While the Yukon can carry a lot of people or a lot of cargo, the Yukon XL can do both at the same time. The Yukon XL also offers the bigger towing capacity.

Yukon XL is conservatively styled. GMC takes a more sophisticated, more understated approach to design than Chevrolet. Still, the Yukon XL shares the unmistakable profile of the 'burb.

Denali trades the standard Yukon XL's black grille for a bright mask of fine-metal mesh, but then swaps the base model's chrome bumpers for body-color units, keeping the overall flash level about equal. Round fog lights are neatly tunneled into the lower part of Denali's unique front bumper. Cladding adorns the lower body, running down the sides and incorporating the front and rear stone guards; the Denali's cladding is oddly shaped, but blends nicely into the color-keyed running boards.

For 2005, all Yukon XL models come with a station wagon-style liftgate at the rear, with a glass window that opens independently. Made of lightweight aluminum, the liftgate is convenient for quickly adding and removing cargo. Side-by-side cargo doors are no longer available. Less noticeable changes for 2005 include an extended front air dam with fewer unneeded openings, and more aerodynamically friendly running boards.

Yukon XL 2500 is available with Quadrasteer, an electronically controlled four-wheel steering system that improves maneuverability somewhat at the expense of appearance, as it requires ungainly rear fender flares to accommodate a significantly wider track (the distance between the rear wheels).

Interior Features

For moving people and cargo, you can't beat the Yukon XL and Suburban. They are the leaders when it comes to seating and cargo capacity, rivaled only by the Ford Excursion, which can't quite match the towing grunt of the Yukon XL 2500. Big inside, the Yukon XL is very roomy and, for the most part, comfortable.

The exception is the seats. GM's bucket seats are big and cushy, but we don't always find them comfortable. The seat bottoms lack support, especially on the sides, and they don't seem long enough. Owners, however, particularly long-term GM loyalists, often disagree with this assessment. Bucket seats are standard on SLT and Denali models, and an optional on the SLE. The standard front seat in Yukon XL is a three-passenger, manually reclining 40/20/40 split bench with dual manual lumbar support and six-way power for the driver; we found this setup similar to the buckets in terms of comfort. Yukon XL comes standard with nice cloth upholstery. The optional Ultrasoft leather makes this big truck look and feel like a luxury vehicle.

The bucket seats are separated by a deep center console that holds lots of stuff. The top of the console lid features a nice rubber-lined indention, handy for sunglasses and other items. It would be even better if the rubber was an insert that could be removed for cleaning. It would be better still if the top of the console wasn't angled forward: Lay a clipboard there and it'll slide off.

Ergonomics are otherwise excellent. The cup holders are superb, a good feature for people who live and work in their vehicles. Above are well-designed map lights that can be aimed. A covered power outlet for cell phones and radar detectors is conveniently located inside the ashtray compartment, in addition to the cigar lighter.

The Driver Information Center is located immediately in front of the driver, below the speedometer. It's handy and easy to use, allowing the driver to program automatic locking and other features, as well as providing trip mileage, fuel economy and other data. Hate the way the doors lock every time you shift out of Park? Annoyed that the horn blows when you lock the doors? Don't want the daytime running lamps on? Turn those features off, turn them on, or deploy them partially. Everything is programmable. A tire-pressure monitoring system continuously checks inflation pressures and flashes a warning on the instrument cluster should any tire lose air pressure.

Audio and climate control systems are well designed and easy to operate. The manual heating controls that come on the base model (SLE) are nicely designed and work well. Much better, however, are the digital three-zone automatic climate controls that come on the other models. They are sophisticated yet easy to operate, and permit separate adjustments for driver and passenger. The rear heating/air conditioning controls are mounted overhead and help improve comfort for pets as well as people.

XM Satellite Radio is a great option to have when traveling because the stations don't change as you drive across the country. You still get ads, but fewer and less obnoxious ones than you hear on FM. Audio controls on the steering wheel make it easy to switch among station presets and modes, among other things. Program the AM, FM1, FM2, XM1, and XM2 bands and you can quickly zip to your favorite stations without taking your hands off the wheel. XM Satellite Radio is nice to have around town for listening to the 24-hour news (CNN, NPR) and sports broadcasts (ESPN, NASCAR), or for staying tuned into your favorite types of music (classical, jazz, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s).

New for 2005, a DVD-based touch-screen navigation system ($1,995) generates two- and three-dimensional color maps on a 6.5-inch screen; it also provides audio commands.

Buttons for Homelink, which can open garage doors and gates, and turn on house lights; and for the new Gen 6 OnStar telematics system, are nicely integrated. GM's OnStar security and information service works well as a navigation system because there's nothing to program. Press the button and a human operator responds, to provide directions and other assistance. OnStar always knows the location of your vehicle. They will notify authorities of your location if your airbag goes off and you do not respond to their calls. Or you can press the emergency button and they'll send out the troops. They can unlock your doors if you lock the keys inside. They can direct you to the nearest gas station or help find a good restaurant or motel. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover. The latest Gen 6 version provides enhanced hands-free, voice-recognition capabilities, and more intuitive continuous digit dialing.

The second-row bucket seats ($490) are supremely comfortable. They recline and somehow seem more supportive and more comfortable than the front seats. If four adults plus two children is the maximum you'll ever need to carry, then we'd recommend the second-row bucket seats. If you want room for three in the second row, however, the standard second-row bench seat gives you more versatility.

A pair of ceiling vents is provided on each side of the second row that can be aimed effectively. The driver controls the rear passengers' temperature and fan speeds and can direct the air to upper or lower vents or both. Most models come with a great pair of second-row cup holders that flip out of the back of the center console. Immediately above those are separate audio controls for the rear-seat passengers (if so equipped). The available wireless headphones are comfortable and sound good. The optional Panasonic DVD system ($1,295) is impressive, featuring a crisp monitor that allows second- and third-row occupants to watch movies and other programming while underway or parked.

The third-row bench seat is fine for kids or short trips, but not that comfortable for adults on longer trips. Knee room is tight. There's little hip room, and the center of the bench lacks support, causing occupants to lean toward the center. Still, it's better than the third-row seats in the standard-length Yukon, Tahoe, and other SUVs. Third-row seating doesn't get much better than this, in other words, at least not in a truck. Cup holders are provided and overhead vents can be aimed for heating and air conditioning, important because the rear side windows cannot be opened. Three-point seat belts are provided and are nicely designed and easy to use. As with the other rows, the seat belts are integrated into the seats. There is a lap belt in the center of the third row, but putting three people back there is optimistic, as the third row is considerably narrower than the first two rows. Getting in and out of the third row is challenging. Getting out requires assistance, as someone has to move the second-row seat out of the way.

Cargo space abounds in the Yukon XL. There's 45.7 cubic feet behind the third row, which is a lot. By comparison, a standard-length Yukon or Tahoe provides just 16.3 cubic feet, while a Ford Expedition offers 20.7 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold the Yukon XL's third-row seatback down, then tumble the seat forward and you'll have a lot more storage capacity, and you can still carry four to six people, depending on the seating package. Remove the third row and put it in the garage for 90 cubic feet of cargo room. Finally, flip up the second-row seat bottoms, fold the seatback down, then flip the folding carpeted platform backward, and you're looking at a flat floor with 131.6 cubic feet of space, great for runs to the home-improvement center or big outdoor outings. The Suburban offers comfortable sleeping accommodations for camping or when fatigue takes over on that long drive home after a day afield.