The 2023 Yukon Looks Towards the Future

When you think of some of the most respected automotive brands in the industry, what companies do you think of? There’s a strong chance GMC makes the list of many drivers and which company is their favorite brand, but why does GMC garner so much trust and respect? Quality is the answer. GMC’s vehicles are some of the best on the market, and one segment of GMC’s brand that receives perhaps the most praise is its exceptional SUVs. GMC SUVs feature top-level performance, spacious interiors, and durable build quality with the option for premium materials. For Tennessee residents looking to experience this level of luxury and performance for themselves at a GMC SUV dealer they can count on, we welcome you to visit us here at Newton Chevrolet GMC. We are conveniently located in Shelbyville and offer an extensive selection of GMC SUV models.

When examining GMC’s current lineup of trucks and SUVs, including the return of the Hummer in an all-electric form, there aren’t many vehicles as influential as the 2023 Yukon. Since its debut in 1991, the Yukon has been a standout SUV model in the GMC lineup, offering a combination of power, performance, and a host of cutting-edge tech that has kept it ahead of its full-size competition for over thirty years. Its latest 2023 model continues that legacy, equipped with innovative convenience and comfort features, an array of safety and driver assistance tools, and an unbeatable spacious interior with the room you’re looking for to accommodate both passengers and cargo alike.

The Fullest SUV

The 2023 Yukon and Yukon XL are a masterclass in how to develop a full-size SUV. While the Yukon and Yukon XL are different products on paper, the true differentiating factor between the two is size, attributing to benefits like more cargo space and a higher payload capacity. However, purchasing the Yukon XL has a couple of detractors. Still, the differences are so minuscule they’re almost not worth mentioning: one less mile per gallon on the highway with certain powertrains and slightly different towing ratings that see the regular Yukon being able to tow 100 lbs more than the Yukon XL. Long story short: the most significant difference between the two is size.

Starting with the 2023 Yukon, if you’re traveling with a full cabin of passengers, you’ll have 25.5 cu.ft. of space for your cargo. Folding down the third row, the available cargo space is raised to 72.6 cu.ft.. The difference in cargo space between folding down that third row of seating or not is nearly a 185% difference, which begs the question: how much space does the regular Yukon offer if both back rows are folded down? Folding down both rows of backseats will reveal a total of 122.9 cu.ft. of space, so no room is ever wasted, whether it’s taken up by a passenger or your cargo.

The 2023 Yukon XL earns its XL moniker via exceptional cargo space. Keeping all three rows of seating upright, keep in mind this can seat up to nine passengers, you’ll have a fantastic 41.5 cu.ft. of space, which is not only phenomenal in its own right, but it’s also a nearly 63% increase over the regular Yukon. Keeping the second row upright but folding down the third row means cargo space is increased to 93.8 cu.ft.

This 93.8 cu.ft. of space is approximately 29% more than the Yukon when one back row is kept folded up. Now we move onto the 2023 Yukon XL’s maximum cargo space: a massive 144.7 cu.ft. In most cases, the Yukon XL and its tremendous cargo space will accommodate anyone’s daily life. This 144.7 cu.ft. of space is nearly 18% more than the regular Yukon’s maximum cargo space. No matter how old your Yukon or Yukon XL gets, this type of versatility will never waiver and will always benefit you.

Unparalleled Performance and Capability

Another aspect of the 2023 Yukon and its XL sibling that will fare well over the upcoming years is performance. However, in an ever-evolving world of efficient engines, the fuel efficiency of the V8 engines may not age the best, especially with the imminent release of the Hummer EV and the mileage range we’re expecting to see. The 2023 Yukon and Yukon XL offer a diesel-powered engine for drivers with a keen desire for fuel efficiency.

All three engine configurations include a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the engine that comes standard in both vehicles is a 5.3L V8 engine creating 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Surprising to some, the 5.3L V8 engine provides the best available towing output, with a capacity of 8,400 lbs on the Yukon and 8,300 lbs on the XL. The base V8 engine also supports the best payload capacity of the bunch, as the XL gets 1,698 lbs while the Yukon has 1,792 lbs.

The larger V8 engine is 6.2L, adding a greater horsepower and torque output with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This performance comes at the cost of fuel efficiency, but if you’re worried about that, you could opt for the turbo-diesel 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine, which keeps an impressive 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and tows almost as much as the other two engines; up to 8,100 lbs in the Yukon and 7,900 lbs in the XL.

The turbo diesel engine has the benefits of the other two options, but its EPA-estimated ratings are the best of the bunch as it receives 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with RWD and 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with 4WD. The difference is evident when you compare the diesel engine to the 6.2L V8 engine, which gets EPA-estimated ratings of 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway with 4WD.

Looking Forward to the Future With the Yukon

What do we mean when we say the Yukon looks forward to the future? The 2023 GMC Yukon is the next vehicle to receive GM’s Super Cruise, which we’ve seen for over half a decade and was originally exclusive to the Cadillac brand under the GM umbrella. What is Super Cruise, you may be wondering? Super Cruise is an advanced technology that brings us one step closer to autonomous driving. Autonomous driving is a vague term because the law calls for drivers to remain vigilant even when driving cars you’ve heard as “self-driving.” A better way to describe GM’s Super Cruise is “Hands-Free Driving.” Another way to think about Super Cruise is adaptive cruise control with added steering.

How does GM’s Super Cruise work? Vehicles equipped with Super Cruise have a light bar arched around the top of the steering wheel, and when that light bar is green, that means you’re on a Super Cruise-compatible road. What does being on a Super Cruise-compatible road mean? When you’re on one of the 400,000 miles of compatible road in the country, you can activate the setting, take your foot off the pedal, take your hands off the wheel, and relax — your vehicle will do the driving for you, including turns.

Experience the 2023 Yukon for Yourself

The 2023 Yukon is one of the best SUVs on the market today. Thanks to the advent of features like Super Cruise, the 2023 Yukon feels like the utmost technologically advanced full-size SUV we’ve seen, especially since the infotainment center was upgraded from an 8-inch touchscreen to a 10.2-inch one in 2021. The 2023 Yukon will be a popular model, so make sure you visit our dealership, and our team will be happy to show you everything the Yukon offers. We look forward to working with you and getting you behind the wheel of this amazing full-size SUV.