2015 GMC Yukon XL

By Mitch McCullough

Updated: March 25, 2015

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Walkaround and Interior

Aptly named, the Yukon XL is the extra-long version with an additional 14 inches between the wheels and 20 inches longer overall than the standard Yukon. Besides better access through rectangular rear side doors, we find this more elegant than the standard length because the extra length in back visually moves the weight rearward. It works the same here as on big rear-wheel drive luxury sedans and Range Rovers.

Yukon’s classic utility two-box body is clean, crisp and never mistaken for a jelly-bean crossover. Geometric lines work well on so many levels for vehicles designed to carry cargo or venture beyond paved roadways, and GMC makes it work well enough to take it where you might also take a limousine.

Painted surfaces surround GMC’s triple-bar grille and massive red logo; lighting modules are completely separated and fair into the fender tops. Both the lower lip and bumper run full-width, with fog lights low and outboard where they work best. The deep air dam helps highway fuel economy but consider removing it before you hit the backcountry. Denali models are distinguished by amply chromed mesh grille work and, when on, their HID headlamps.

Strong horizontal lines define the profile, with wheel openings only minimally less square than GMC’s Sierra pickup. Wheels better fill those openings; though we prefer the standard 18-inch wheel for ride quality and think they fit the truck’s proportions better, 20 and 22-inch wheels in multiple finishes are offered. Denali comes with 20-inch wheels.

Dark door and rear pillars give the roof a cantilevered look, anchored at the windshield and balancing on the wide painted pillar above the rear wheels. Side steps are no wider than the bodywork so they’re less vunerable, and power-retracting steps are available.

Deep window tint wraps rear side and tailgate windows into one piece and the wiper’s hidden under the gate-top spoiler. C-shaped taillights echo the ruby-red logo letters and the center brake light in the spoiler never casts light in the rear view. The covered receiver hitch keeps it clean and the top of the bumper has scuff protection.

The liftgate is manually operated on SLE, with the SLT’s power liftgate available; opening height is programmable for vertical clearance limitations or to open just high enough for you to walk beneath. On Denali you can wave a foot beneath the bumper (as long as the key is with you) to open or close the tailgate with your hands full.

Interior Features

A van may have more accommodation space and cargo room but a Yukon XL is appointed more like a luxury car, particularly in Denali trim. You can comfortably transport a crew of eight for the boat you’re towing.

Finishes and materials are mission appropriate, with leather-wrapped steering wheel, soft-touch panels and armrests up high, long-wearing easy-clean surfaces near the floor. Denali interiors do an excellent job mimicking Cadillac cabins; we’re hard pressed to find a difference worth tens of thousands.

Front-bench models excepted, the dash sweeps down and aft into a center console more akin a large sedan than a truck. While component parts like the instruments, IntelliLink screen and controls and switchgear are shared with Sierra pickup, you never feel you’re in a pickup.

Everything ahead of the center armrest, console, central control panel, instruments, is offset slightly to the right. This adds driver knee room and shortens the passenger reach but draws some eyes to the right side of the road. It permits space for most switchgear left of the wheel: Safety systems, pedal adjustment, 2/4WD, lighting and trailer brakes and various size drivers found some of those obstructed by the wheel. For many, there is an auto setting and they’ll never be used.

Analog gauges are standard and best-in-class, save maybe the Denali’s customizable 8-inch display that does things like swap the voltmeter for transmission fluid temperature automatically when tow/haul mode is engaged.

Top center is GMC IntelliLink’s infotainment screen with hidden storage behind. Knobs and hard keys below and touch-screen icons at top speed you to common tasks. Alongside the usual apps and features (Pandora, Bluetooth, weather, traffic, etc.) it has text message alerts, Siri eyes free and OnStar with 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot and a 3gb/3month trial period. It did what we wanted…faster than some, slower than others, and the display never washed out in bright sunlight. With the variety of inputs and suuport for seven wi-fi devices, you could skip the rear-seat entertainment and spend it on data so everyone watches what they want.

Below that are better-than-average rear climate controls, and front seat heat/cooling switches; these switch indicators do occasionally disappear in daylight. Cabin storage includes a decent glovebox, multiple door cubbies, third-row bin, five distinct places on the console, and the center armrest lid depression offers compatible-device wireless charging on Denali.

Standard bucket seats proved comfortable for long or short hauls, cloth seats now offer seat heating and dimensions are generous: Legroom approaches four feet. There’s also a center airbag to keep front seat occupants from hitting each other in a severe side impact collision. You have to nit-pick to find anything wrong with the seats, and that would be a cooling unit you can hear because the truck is so quiet inside. Yukon XL does offer a 40/20/40 front bench for nine seats, but it’s very rare to find one and a full-size van would make a better bus.

The second-row offers a choice of two buckets or a 60/40-split three-person bench, the latter far more practical and not significantly less comfortable. Buckets do give the choice of clambering around for third-row access but middle-row seats move easily and the wide door aperture simplifies third-row. Regardless of seat, climate controls and inputs/ports are an easy reach.

Third-row seats are split 60/40 as well, so you could still carry six people and long items like skis or wakeboards inside. Outer headrests extend well but there is no center headrest, and the center shoulder belt is conveniently out of sight in the roof when not needed. Dimensions are typical with Sequoia similar and Expedition/Navigator having the edge.

As a truck, XL’s cargo floor is considerably higher than a van’s, about three feet handy for walking up to, less so for lifting heavy items nine or so inches inward from the bumper. A power liftgate is available where not standard, and on Denali just wave your foot under the bumper with the key in the vicinity and the gate opens or closes itself.

Seat release and fold switches drop third and second rows and a cargo cover is optional. The floor lifts for small-item storage beneath, a slightly deeper well in the forward section. With both rear benches folded the floor is flat and slopes rearward; second-row buckets leave a well behind the console like any other captain’s chairs arrangements.

Maximum cargo volume is down from the last model by 16 cubic feet…a good-size sedan trunk, because the third-row folds into the floor. Yukon XL carries 121, 77 and 39 cubic feet behind the first, second and third rows respectively. That’s usable space aft, behind only the Expedition EL/Navigator L (131/85.5/43) and all-folded just ahead of the 19-inch shorter Sequoia (120/67/19).