Some say that mimicking is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s true, Chevy’s trucks and SUVs should have no issues with self-confidence. Nearly every GMC vehicle, from the Envoy to the Sierra pickup, bears an uncanny resemblance to a model wearing the bow tie badge, and the updated Yukon XL is no exception. Aside from those homely headlights, a tweaked grille, an added engine, and unique badges, that GMC is a Chevy. In a time when General Motors is losing market share, has been forced to reduce sticker prices across the line while
rebates alive, why money is still being dumped into this purely duplicative brand is a mystery.
That’s not to say that the 2007 Yukon XL isn’t a nice vehicle, because it is, one with a renewed focus on style, quality, and value. But that can all be said of the truck on which the Yukon XL is based, the Chevrolet Suburban, and barring the premium XL Denali trim and its larger engine, there’s not enough distinguishing the two vehicles, despite GMC’s “Professional Grade” tagline.
What it is Billed as the largest of the brand’s family of SUVs, the
2007 GMC Yukon XL is a nine-passenger truck with 137.4 cubic feet of cargo room. Buyers can choose from two trims – XL and XL Denali – and either rear- or four-wheel-drive capability. Based on the Chevrolet Suburban, the Yukon XL and XL Denali models are available to buyers looking for more brand cachet and an added touch of luxury, but aren’t quite ready for the flash and price of the
Cadillac Escalade, another ride that shares its platform with the Chevy.
Why it matters Despite all of the news about shrinking sales of
large suvs, this segment is still expected to move between 700-800,000 units annually, with General Motors reportedly grabbing 62 percent of that pie. Gas prices may continue to be volatile, but the fact remains that thousands of American car buyers continue to choose the utility of a large vehicle like the 2007 GMC Yukon XL versus smaller and more efficient alternatives. Competition in this field has largely been limited to the
Ford Excursion (and fellow GM players like the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade), but that model is being replaced by an extended version of the Expedition that promises to fight for its spot in American driveways. Couple that with GM’s tarnished image, and one can see how vital it is that the 2007 GMC Yukon XL represents the company’s best effort.
How much it costs It seems like it was just yesterday that General Motors was announcing its idea for value pricing, a new plan that would set sticker prices closer to actual transaction prices. Rebates would be largely reduced or eliminated. That was round one – round two came at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where GM announced it was cutting prices across its lineup, and again, rebates would be reduced.
Who knows what pricing strategy will be the flavor of the month by the time the 2007 Yukon XL hits the streets in the spring of 2006, but it’s clear that the goal is to make price one of the reasons to visit a GMC dealer.
How quick it is Power for the 2007 GMC Yukon XL comes from one of two eight-cylinder engines. The entry-level motor is a 5.3-liter small block V8 with 320 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 340 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard. Next up is a 6.0-liter V8 offering 355 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and cranking out 365 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm through a six-speed automatic transmission. Both engines feature Active Fuel Management, the new name for what most know as displacement-on-demand, a system that deactivates four of the engine’s eight cylinders when less power is needed. GMC representatives claim that this technology allows the new Yukon XL to achieve fuel economy in the low 20s on the highway at 60 mph. Also noteworthy is the flex-fuel status of these engines. Either can operate on 87-octane gas, ethanol, or a mix of both.
The 2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali model gets its own engine, a 6.2-liter V8 with 380 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 415 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm controlled by a six-speed automatic. Active Fuel Management and flex-fuel capability are not features of this powertrain.
What it looks like Though the overall shape looks familiar, enhancements on the 2007 GMC Yukon XL are visible in the details. The wheel track has been widened for a more aggressive stance and better stability, the front end features a bold new fascia, bodyside cladding has been removed, the lower door sills now overlay the rocker panels for a cleaner profile, and the tailgate handles have been replaced with hidden release buttons. Standard wheel sizes have increased to 17 inches (18’s on the XL Denali) with optional rims as large as 20 inches, and tall, shiny headlight housings that, unfortunately, lack character when compared to the sporty lenses on the new Chevy Suburban. Inside is a completely redesigned dash, now featuring smooth shapes, tight tolerances, and none of the 1980’s-era radio and climate controls that have historically plagued GM interiors.
What we thinkIt seems ironic that just as the light appears to be dimming on the large SUV segment, GM unveils its best looking lineup to date. The lines of the 2007 GMC Yukon XL are much crisper, and the promise of tighter gap tolerances and a stronger focus on build quality address two of the main complaints with the existing vehicle. Add in the extra power and improved efficiency, and GMC makes a good case for purchasing its 2007 Yukon XL, should you be in the market for such a ride.
If only those headlights showed a hint of design creativity…
Photos courtesy of General Motors
