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The Yukon and Yukon XL family of full-size SÚVs continues to offer an uncompromising package of capability, comfort and refinement. They offer distinctive styling, spacious and refined interiors, exceptional driving characteristics and §egmènt-leading safety features – including standard head curtain side air bags for all seating rows on all models. Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali return for 2011, equipped wîth style, technologies and luxury features that have made these models so popular. Changes for 2011 include OnStar 9.0, wîth Automatic Crash Response, and two new exterior colors: Mocha Steel Metallic and Carbon Black Metallic.

Yukon provides a smooth, confident and secure driving experience, wîth its 116-inch (2,946 mm) wheelbase, overall length of 202 inches (5,130 mm) and wide track that complements the long wheelbase. Yukon XL models have exterior dimensions similar to the regular models, but are about 14 inches longer in wheelbase and 20 inches more in overall length. Both Yukon and Yukon XL are available in SLE (cloth trim) and SLT trim (leather appointments), as well as 2WD and 4WD configurations. Yukon XL offers a three-quarter-ton model. A third-row seat is standard on all Yukon models.

For improved fuel economy, Yukon and Yukon XL models feature a 5.3L V-8 wîth GM’s fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology. The 5.3L and 6.2L engines are capable of running on E85; in fact, all Yukon 4WD and Yukon XL half-ton models come standard wîth the E85-capable version of the 5.3L V-8. GM vehicles wîth E85 capability can run on 100-percent gasoline, E85 or any combination of the two.

Price: $38,535 – 61,365.
Invoice: $35,835 – 57,985.

Driving Experience

The Yukon and Yukon XL, available in 2WD and 4WD, are built on GM’s full-size SÚV platform, which incorporates features such as a fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion §teering. The frame supports wide front and rear tracks that enhance stability and driving confidence through a more secure road feel and a lower center of gravity. Yukon rides on a 116-inch (2,946 mm) wheelbase, wîth an overall length of 202 inches (5,130 mm). Its wide track complements the long wheelbase to provide a smooth, confident and secure driving experience. Yukon XL models have exterior dimensions similar to the regular models, but are about 14 inches longer in wheelbase and 20 inches longer in overall length.

The front suspension consists of a coil-over-shock design that delivers linear, solid and unwavering ride and handling characteristics on all road surfaces. A rack-and-pinion §teering system provides precise and responsive control and enhanced on-center feel. Yukon and Yukon XL models use a highly refined five-link rear suspension that provides superior isolation and ride, wîth larger, firmer brackets that also contribute to the vehicles’ precise driving manners.

Large, four-wheel disc brakes and a sophisticated ABS system ensure shorter braking distances and §egmènt-leading performance. Larger vented front and rear brake rotors, stiff dual-piston calipers and long-life brake pads contribute to enhanced pedal feel, reduced brake noise and predictable, linear brake response. A Bosch 8.0 next-generation four-channel ABS system is standard. The ABS system works wîth the standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system wîth traction control. It incorporates rollover mitigation – software algorithm technology that uses sensors to proactively predict vehicle ‘tip-up,’ and applies appropriate brake forces to help prevent such events.

Enhanced driving control and ride smoothness are offered wîth the available Autoride real-time damping system (standard on Denali), which uses electronically controlled shock absorbers to make nearly instantaneous damping adjustments. The system ‘reads’ the road and anticipates the best damping rates. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on Yukon and Yukon XL 2WD models, wîth 17-inch wheels standard on 4WD. Twenty-inch wheels are available – including a chrome-clad design. The tires are tailored to the vehicles to provide excellent balance of handling, quietness and safety. Yukon HD comes standard wîth 17-inch wheels, while the Yukon Denali lineup is equipped wîth 20-inch wheels.

Interior

The Yukon and Yukon XL are available in two trim levels: SLE (cloth) and SLT (leather). Both feature a spacious and refined environment, thanks to a premium tone-on-tone color scheme and a lower-positioned instrument panel. A third-row seat is standard on all Yukon models. Sculpted seat designs and detailed trim affirm the vehicles’ craftsmanship, which is bolstered by optional amenities such as heated seats for first- and second-row passengers. Also, the front seats offer plenty of fore/aft and recline travel, and the second-row seats have a comfortable angle for the seatback recline. Craftsmanship is seen in unexpected areas, such as distinctive sill plates that greet occupants when the doors are opened, and there are no exposed fasteners or hardware on the pillars, seats or seat tracks. The seats have ‘close-outs’ that surround the seat bottoms and seat tracks, creating a more finished appearance. The undersides of the seats are covered, too, when folded.

The Yukon and Yukon XL also offer an industry-exclusive power fold-and-tumble second-row seat feature that eases access to the third-row seat. The power fold-and-tumble second-row seats feature release buttons accessible by the driver on the overhead console or on the interior C-pillar to provide an easy, immediate release of the seat and an access path to the third-row seat or cargo area. Yukon and Yukon XL interiors are versatile, too. The third-row seats fold flat and are easily tumbled forward or removed for maximum cargo area. Also, the center console storage compartment, at 20.1 liters of capacity, is the §egmènt’s largest. The glove box offers significant storage space, too, and features damped opening operation that bolsters quietness and refinement.

Safety

The Yukon and Yukon XL offer a 360-degree perimeter safety system of occupant protection and crash avoidance technologies. Standard features include head curtain side air bags for all seating rows and front-seat safety belt pretensioners that are linked to the vehicle’s sensing system to provide §egmènt-exclusive deployment in rear-end crashes. These features are integrated into a stronger vehicle structure that is also designed for improved compatibility wîth other vehicles.

The head curtain air bags include design features that provide increased rollover protection and occupant containment. Sensors located at the front of the vehicle, in the side doors, and within the occupant compartment provide increased and more immediate crash detection. The vehicle’s sensing system provides §egmènt-exclusive capability to deploy front seat safety belt pretensioners during certain rear-end collisions, enhancing the belt system’s ability to hold the occupants firmly in place.

The head curtain side air bag system incorporates one of the §egmènt’s first rollover indication sensors, which is located on the vehicle’s center tunnel in the occupant compartment. The sensor monitors the vehicle’s acceleration and roll rate. If these signals indicate an impending rollover, the roof-mounted head curtain side air bags deploy to provide an extra measure of occupant protection and containment. These head curtain side air bags stay inflated longer than air bags developed only for side impacts because rollover incidents can last longer. The deployment duration and other design features of the head curtain air bags combine to provide increased occupant protection and the ability to help keep occupants inside the vehicle.

An Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine wîth variable valve timing and direct injection technology helps the Terrain achieve a §egmènt-best EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 32 mpg. Maximum fuel economy is achieved in part wîth an ‘eco’ mode that is activated via a console-mounted button. When engaged, it lowers the torque converter lockup speed of the standard six-speed automatic transmission to 1,125 rpm to help save fuel. (concept carz)

A 3.0L DOHC direct injected V-6 engine delivering 264 horsepower (197 kW) is optional; and for 2011 it becomes E85-capable. Like the Ecotec 2.4L, the V-6 is backed by six-speed automatic that helps save fuel through reduced engine speed at highway speeds. Terrain is offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models, in SLE and SLT trim levels. All models include four-wheel disc brakes wîth StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control, as well as six standard air bags: dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags.

A comprehensive list of standard and available features includes purposeful technologies such as:

• Standard rear-vision camera that provides a view of objects or people directly behind the vehicle

• Standard ÚSB audio connectivity and MP3 playback for your portable music player – plug it in and control the features right from the radio or the optional §teering wheel controls

• Standard XM Satellite Radio, which provides coast-to-coast tunes

• Programmable power liftgate that can be set to open to a lower height, clearing garage obstructions or making it easier to reach for those of shorter stature

• Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, so the driver can remain focused on the road

• Remote vehicle start that can be used to automatically heat up a cold Terrain on a January morning , or cool it down on a hot August afternoon

• Seven-inch touch screen navigation system wîth touch-screen control, and the screen itself is large enough to safely view at a glance

• Ten-gigabyte hard drive that enables a radio station-like song library to be stored for instant playback through the radio

• DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system wîth two independent screens and inputs, allowing one viewer to watch a movie and the other to play video games. Front seat passengers can listen to their own entertainment selection up front, thanks to the wireless headphones.

The Terrain enters the 2011 wîth an enhanced OnStar 9.0, which delivers improved speech recognition, and a pair of new exterior colors: Steel Blue Metallic and Summit White.

Price: $24,250 – 31,400.
Invoice: $23,035 – 29,835.

Ride and handling

The Terrain rides on a long, 112.5-inch (2,857 mm) wheelbase and wide front and rear tracks that support car-like ride and handling traits. The long wheelbase and wide tracks reduce body roll for a stable, confident driving experience. Front and rear independent suspension systems meet the pavement via a family of large wheels, including 17-inch and 18-inch aluminum, wîth available 19-inch chrome-clad wheels.

A rack-mounted electric power §teering system (2.4L models) contributes to greater fuel efficiency, because there’s no engine-driven pump. GM’s first application of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is used on 2.4L-equipped models to enable better fuel economy by allowing lower engine idle RPMs. ANC uses microphones to detect objectionable harmonics inside the vehicle and sends counteracting sound waves through the audio system’s speakers, ensuring a quiet driving experience at almost all vehicle speeds.

Design and Interior

Terrain has a balanced, athletic stance and offers a commanding view of the road. Its design is characterized by bold, muscular fender flares, representing GMC’s aesthetic. Surfacing is angular yet refined, wîth a strong and capable front-end appearance that features precise, squared-off edges. Additional design features include a unique, three-element grille, wîth a prominent chrome surround and projector-beam headlamps mounted in large, rectangular housings wîth chrome accents.

The Terrain’s rich, premium interior is influenced by industrial sculpture and exudes refinement exemplified by contrasting stitching and fine materials that create a structured look throughout the cabin. A ‘floating’ center stack, highlighted by warm, ambient lighting, houses ergonomic comfort and convenience controls.

Terrain’s seats offer outstanding comfort. The standard MultiFlex sliding rear seat can be moved fore or aft nearly eight inches (200 mm), providing increased passenger comfort or greater rear cargo capacity. The 60/40-split rear seatback offers additional configurations for passengers and cargo. The rear cargo area offers 31.6 cubic feet (894 liters) of storage, as well as one of the Terrain’s four auxiliary power outlets.

Quality

A rigid, body-integral structure wîth single-piece body side stampings allows more precise assembly, wîth tighter and more uniform gap tolerances. The result is a vehicle that will feel solid for years. Higher-quality materials and many long-life engine/powertrain components reduce the need and frequency for servicing; and the backing of GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty delivers even greater assurance. The Terrain is produced at the CAMI assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario, one of the highest quality, most efficient assembly plants within GM’s network.

GMC Terrain

GMC Terrain sales continue at a rapid pace as it enters its second model year. In the first seven months of the year, the Terrain has consistently taken just 13 days to turn on dealer lots, compared wîth 28 days for the rest of the compact SÚV §egmènt and 51 days for all vehicles. We’ve had an outstanding response to the Terrain since it launched last Fall. The Terrain is attracting new buyers to the brand who are lòòking for an SÚV that offers fuel economy, exterior and interior styling, quality and safety that maintain GMC’s reputation for engineering excellence. The Terrain appeals to women more than any other GMC product. Approximately 46 percent of buyers are women, which is more than 20 percentage points higher than the overall brand. In addition, nearly 53 percent of all Terrain buyers are coming from non-GM trade-ins.

To keep up wîth consumer demand, GM has previously announced three production increases for the Terrain since its launch at GM’s CAMI Automotive Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, which has developed an innovative production model to increase capacity of the vehicle. The Terrain offers a best-in-§egmènt EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 32 miles per gallon. The vehicle comes equipped wîth a variety of safety and convenience features standard, including a rear-vision camera, ÚSB connectivity, electronic child safety locks, six standard air bags, electronic stability control and the safety and security of OnStar.

The 2010 GMC Yukon is largely unchanged following the late-model-year 2009 introduction of a high-end gas/electric hybrid model. These large SUVs seat up to 9 passengers and share their basic designs with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban as well as the premium Cadillac Escalade. This report covers the Yukon and extended wheelbase Yukon XL. Compared with the Yukon, XL models are about 14 inches longer in wheelbase, 20 inches longer overall, and have nearly 30 cubic feet more cargo volume. Yukon XL comes in half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 configurations.

Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 come in SLE, SLT, and luxury Denali models. The XL 2500 comes as the SLE or SLT. All are available with rear-wheel drive. SLE and SLT have optional full-time 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Denalis offer all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Most models have a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 310 horsepower in the XL and 320 horsepower in the standard-length wagon. XL 2500 versions have a 352-horsepower 6.0 V8. Yukon Denalis have a 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. Certain rear-drive Yukons can be equipped as the XFE, which stands for Xtra Fuel Economy. These models have low-rolling-resistance tires and other powertrain and aerodynamic tweaks designed to increase fuel economy. These models team with a 6-speed automatic transmission and can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Maximum towing capacity for non-XL Yukons is 8,600 pounds. XL 1500 can tow up to 8,100 pounds, and XL 2500 up to 9,600 pounds.

The 2010 GMC Yukon Hybrid and Yukon Denali Hybrid have a 6.0-liter V8 that pairs with an electric motor for 332 horsepower total. They can run on one or both of their power sources, depending on driving demand, and require no plug-in charging. Hybrids have a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic. The Hybrid’s maximum towing capacity is 5,900 pounds. All Yukon models, including XL 2500 and Hybrid have GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Newly standard is a USB port for connecting digital-music players. Denali-exclusive features include heated and cooled front seats and a power tilt steering column. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 GMC Yukon.

The 2009 GMC Yukon lineup gains a new 6-speed automatic transmission, while the high-end Denali gets more power, new features, and its own gas/electric hybrid. These large SUVs seat up to nine passengers and share their basic designs with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban as well as the premium Cadillac Escalade. This report covers the Yukon and extended wheelbase Yukon XL. Compared to the Yukon, XL models are about 14 inches longer in wheelbase, 20 inches longer overall, and have nearly 30 cu ft more cargo volume. Yukon XL comes in half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 configurations.

Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 come in SLE, SLT, and luxury Denali models. The XL 2500 comes as the SLE or SLT. All are available with rear-wheel drive. SLE and SLT have optional full-time 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Denalis are available with all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Standard on 2WD Yukon SLE is a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. All remaining Yukons and XLs have a 310-hp 5.3-liter V8. Optional on XL 1500 is a 366-hp 6.0-liter V8. XL 2500 versions have a 352-hp 6.0 V8. The 5.3- and 366-hp 6.0-liter engines have GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Yukon Denalis have a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8, an increase of 23 hp over 2008 models. All these Yukons have a 6-speed automatic transmission. 2008 versions equipped with the 5.3 V8 used a 4-speed automatic. The 6.2 V8 and versions of the 5.3 V8 can run on ethanol-blended E85 fuel. Maximum towing capacity for non-XL Yukons is 8500 lb. XL 1500 can tow up to 8100 lb, and XL 2500 up to 9600 lb.

Yukon and Yukon Denali hybrids have a 6.0-liter V8 that pairs with an electric motor for 332 hp total. They can run on one or both of their power sources, depending on driving demand, and require no plug-in charging. Hybrids have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and can tow up to 6200 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Yukon XL models are now available with dual-screen DVD entertainment. Denali-exclusive updates for 2009 include the addition of heated and cooled front seats and a power-tilt steering column.

What was originally the 2009 GMC Terrain will now debut in calendar 2009 as a 2010 model. Terrain is this General Motors division’s first five-passenger crossover SUV. It’s GMC’s smallest vehicle and shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Equinox. Like Equinox, Terrain will offer 4-cylinder and V6 engines.

Base SLE and top-end SLT trim levels are available. SLE versions have a 182-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. SLT versions have a 264-hp 3.0-liter V6. The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Terrain marks the first application of GM’s Active Noise Cancellation system, which is designed to quell mechanical noise.

A rearview camera is standard on all Terrain models, as is GM’s MultiFlex rear seat that slides up to 8 inches fore and aft to benefit passenger or cargo room. Remote engine start, a navigation system with 40-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music files, and DVD entertainment are available. We have not yet tested the 2010 GMC Terrain.

The 2010 GMC Terrain is this General Motors division’s first 5-passenger crossover SUV. Terrain is GMC’s smallest vehicle and shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Equinox. Like Equinox, Terrain offers 4-cylinder and V6 engines. Trim levels include SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, and SLT-2. All have a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Optional on all but the SLE-1 is a 264-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Terrain marks the first application of GM’s Active-Noise-Cancellation system, which is designed to quell mechanical noise. This feature is offered on 4-cylinder models. A rearview camera is standard on all Terrain models, as is GM’s MultiFlex rear seat that slides up to 8 inches fore and aft to benefit passenger or cargo room. Remote engine start, a navigation system with 10-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music files, and DVD entertainment are available.

GMC’s new-for-2010 Terrain crossover may be all but identical to Chevrolet’s Equinox, one look at this bluff-faced polarizing design will tell you that badge-engineering wasn’t part of the program at General Motors. Yes, both vehicles share the same platform, the same engine choices and even the same suspension calibrations, but the in-your-face look here is likely to inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions. We’ll let you decide on which side of the fence you sit, with one caveat: It is often the case that certain cars look better in the metal than on screen or in photographs. We were invited to GM’s Design Dome for a media backgrounder, and after being in-and-around the vehicle, we profess that we can’t make the same case.

The 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid joins GMC’s large pickup truck lineup. The Hybrid comes only in a 4-door crew cab body style with seating for up to 6. Rear-wheel drive or GM’s full-time Autotrac 4-wheel drive is available. Autotrac can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes a low-range gear for off-road use.

The Hybrid has a 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine that comes with GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. The V8 pairs with an electric motor for 332 hp total. It can run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving demands, and requires no plug-in charging. The sole transmission is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Hybrid’s maximum towing capacity is 6100 lb.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Available features include a navigation system, remote engine start, and a wireless cell phone link. The GMC Sierra shares its basic design from the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.