Used 2009 GMC Yukon

With seating for up to nine people, substantial towing capacity and aspirational appeal, GM’s biggest family haulers have in the past accounted for more than 60 percent of full-size SUV sales. GMC’s version, the 2009 Yukon, bridges the gap between its Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade siblings with a lineup that includes a base model priced similarly to the Tahoe, as well as a distinctive Denali model that can approach Escalade prices when fully loaded. While the faithful Yukon continues to serve millions of families well, the impressive 2009 Yukon all but antiquates the previous generation, which seems light years apart in styling, quality and interior materials.

With a stiff, fully-boxed frame, revised suspension and greatly improved steering and braking characteristics, the 2009 GMC Yukon is by far the best handling full-size SUV ever to wear a GMC badge. It responds with confidence to both the driver and the road while also providing more accurate feedback. Crisp and alert around town (for a tall SUV weighing well over 2.5 tons, of course), comfortable and stable on the highway, the latest Yukon provides the driver a level of confidence unapproached by its predecessors – an experience good enough to qualify GMC’s newest full-size SUV as one of the category’s best.

The 2009 GMC Yukon’s interior can be configured with any number of seating positions from six to nine, with each row available in two- or three-passenger layouts. Other seating options include leather, first-row heated seats and power fold-and-flip second-row seats (all standard on the Denali). Getting past the seats, the Yukon’s passenger cabin is so attractive, comfortable and refined as to make the previous-generation’s cabin feel downright old-fashioned. Where lower-cost materials still exist, they aren’t as conspicuous as in the past. Again, the vehicle’s weakest link in some people’s eyes will be the lack of a fold-flat rear seat.

The 2009 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe are most differentiated up front, with each sporting its own grille, hood, fascia and headlights. The variation continues down the sides and to the back with unique trim, wheels and taillamps. Yukon Denali models are further distinguished by a signature perforated grille, modified headlights and taillamps, revised front and rear fascias, distinctive 18-inch wheels (with unique 20-inchers available), chrome-accented side moldings and unique side steps.

Power Fold-and-Flip Second Row
Accessing the third row is made easier with power fold-and-flip second-row seats that can also be activated by the driver or front passenger via roof-mounted switches.

Rearview Camera
Vehicles this big benefit the most from rearview cameras that let the driver see what’s lurking behind the back bumper.

A base Yukon features a four-speed automatic transmission, two-wheel drive and a 4.8-liter V8 engine. Other standard features include manual dual-zone air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power heated mirrors, eight-speaker AM/FM/CD-MP3 sound system with auxiliary audio input, OnStar, cruise control, Driver Information Center, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and outside temperature display, height-adjustable leather steering wheel and a cloth interior featuring a 40/20/40-split bench up front (with power driver’s portion), a 60/40-split bench in the middle row and a third-row seat. Outside, a base Yukon is equipped with 17-inch aluminum wheels and a tow package. Standard safety equipment includes driver and front-passenger airbags, three-row head-curtain airbags, electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, tire-pressure-monitoring system and Antilock Braking System (ABS).

Yukon powertrain options include a traditional 5.3-liter V8, a Flex-Fuel 5.3-liter V8 capable of running on gasoline and/or E85 ethanol, plus a four-wheel-drive system. The Yukon Denali’s exclusive powertrain consists of a 6.2-liter V8, six-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel-drive system. Optional equipment that’s standard on Denali includes a power liftgate, power fold-and-flip second-row seats, ultrasonic rear parking assist (standard on SLT), power-adjustable pedals, upgraded audio system, automatic climate control, active damping system and power-folding exterior mirrors. Optional even on Denali are a rearview camera, power-retractable side steps, navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 20-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, power-adjustable steering column and a power sunroof.

The Yukon powertrain lineup consists of four V8 engines, four- and six-speed automatic transmissions (the latter with tap-up/tap-down gear selection), plus two-, four- and all-wheel drive. A Flex-Fuel version of the 5.3-liter V8 performs almost identically to the gasoline-only 5.3-liter engine but will also run on E85 ethanol – a "biofuel" produced in part using renewable materials like corn. Both 5.3-liter engines feature cylinder-deactivation technology that imperceptibly "turns off" four cylinders under light loads and helps the Yukon achieve what GM claims to be the best fuel economy in the category. Maximum towing capacity on four-wheel-drive models is 8,200 pounds.

4.8-liter V8
295 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
305 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19

5.3-liter V8
310 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
335 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD), 14/20 (4WD)

5.3-liter V8 Flex-Fuel
310 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
335 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD, gasoline), 10/15 (2WD E85), 14/20
(4WD, gasoline), 10/15 (4WD E85)

6.2-liter V8
403 horsepower @ 5700 rpm
417 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/19 (gasoline, 2WD), 10/14 (E85, 2WD), 12/19(gasoline, 4WD), 9/14 (E85, 4WD)