Yukon Toad
TYF Newbie
- Joined
- May 9, 2025
- Posts
- 13
- Reaction score
- 17
Maybe this will help others evaluating the pros and cons of a new GMC Yukon.
I purchased my Yukon Denali in March. Now, 8 months later, the odometer shows over 12,000 recorded miles … then there’s another 6,000 (unrecorded) miles of towed travel behind our motorhome, from the Carolinas out west to MT and back, over the last 4 months or so. Spoiler alert, I’m impressed!
This Yukon replaced a ‘19 model, which served the same purpose, the towed vehicle behind our motorhome, extending our touring capability at each stop. The ‘19 was a solid vehicle, never let us down, our only gripe was the technology adoption for a vehicle of that generation … my ‘17 F-150 (2 years older) was better/more advanced in many respects. The ‘25 blows that comparison out of the water, lots of technology, and well integrated (most of the time).
The ‘25 sits a little higher and the ride, while still positive and firm, is smoother. Maybe that’s the result of the air suspension option. The chunkier front end does make for a larger blind spot at the front and forward passenger side corner. There’s a dip in a narrow local road where I’m now unable to see the road until I cross the hill crest, plus RH turns in town require a bit more attention. It’s not very apparent what the transmission is doing during acceleration, no clear feeling of the shifts, first reaction is it’s vague, but it might be the software picking a non-sequential series of shifts. The descent downshifting is a welcome addition, I rarely have to resort to manually selecting low range on all but the steepest grades. Overall gas mileage to date is right around 19 mpg, very similar to what the ‘19 recorded. However, with the DFM system and its multiple cylinder deactivation profiles, I miss the simpler V4/V8 display that was in the ‘19. The ‘25 has the 24” wheels, not something I would have picked, but it’s how it came. Now idea whether it changes ride quality, but the steering seems crisp and positive. We’ve driven a number of dirt roads, parellel parked and even gone through less than desirable car washes … no wheel damage.
On the tech front, the large display screen and Google integration with GPS is first rate. Every other vehicle GPS screen is a downgrade after this! The ability to find destinations is impressive, there weren’t many on our cross country trip that it failed to find. However, we have discovered saying “no” to a destination suggestion routes us to a dentist named Neault somewhere in IL! The OTA software updates have all worked flawlessly. Super Cruise (SC)? No exaggeration, I probably use it 75-80% of the time. The first time it auto overtakes there’s a huge pucker factor, but you soon learn to anticipate, and monitor, what’s going on. In SC mode I normally drive with my hands in my lap, but if the road markings get vague I will have them close to the wheel, ready to take over if necessary. Yes, while most corners are done smoothly, there are some where the steering jerks a little. I made a couple of late night drives on out of the way roads in WY where SC never missed a beat, freeing me up to pay more attention, looking out for any wildlife with suicidal tendencies near the roadway. It drives more centered down the roadway than I do. Overall, I’m impressed at the capability of the sensors to see, and respond to, the direction of travel.
The cons? None really. For the first few weeks of travel I would get spurious CELs. Most would clear at the next engine start, some for ECU1 I cleared with my scanner. Because I need disconnect the battery while towing, to disable the column lock, I sometimes get a warning, after powering up again, to have the steering checked. Maybe the result of some of the OTA software updates, but it’s now been a few thousand miles since my last CEL.
I purchased my Yukon Denali in March. Now, 8 months later, the odometer shows over 12,000 recorded miles … then there’s another 6,000 (unrecorded) miles of towed travel behind our motorhome, from the Carolinas out west to MT and back, over the last 4 months or so. Spoiler alert, I’m impressed!
This Yukon replaced a ‘19 model, which served the same purpose, the towed vehicle behind our motorhome, extending our touring capability at each stop. The ‘19 was a solid vehicle, never let us down, our only gripe was the technology adoption for a vehicle of that generation … my ‘17 F-150 (2 years older) was better/more advanced in many respects. The ‘25 blows that comparison out of the water, lots of technology, and well integrated (most of the time).
The ‘25 sits a little higher and the ride, while still positive and firm, is smoother. Maybe that’s the result of the air suspension option. The chunkier front end does make for a larger blind spot at the front and forward passenger side corner. There’s a dip in a narrow local road where I’m now unable to see the road until I cross the hill crest, plus RH turns in town require a bit more attention. It’s not very apparent what the transmission is doing during acceleration, no clear feeling of the shifts, first reaction is it’s vague, but it might be the software picking a non-sequential series of shifts. The descent downshifting is a welcome addition, I rarely have to resort to manually selecting low range on all but the steepest grades. Overall gas mileage to date is right around 19 mpg, very similar to what the ‘19 recorded. However, with the DFM system and its multiple cylinder deactivation profiles, I miss the simpler V4/V8 display that was in the ‘19. The ‘25 has the 24” wheels, not something I would have picked, but it’s how it came. Now idea whether it changes ride quality, but the steering seems crisp and positive. We’ve driven a number of dirt roads, parellel parked and even gone through less than desirable car washes … no wheel damage.
On the tech front, the large display screen and Google integration with GPS is first rate. Every other vehicle GPS screen is a downgrade after this! The ability to find destinations is impressive, there weren’t many on our cross country trip that it failed to find. However, we have discovered saying “no” to a destination suggestion routes us to a dentist named Neault somewhere in IL! The OTA software updates have all worked flawlessly. Super Cruise (SC)? No exaggeration, I probably use it 75-80% of the time. The first time it auto overtakes there’s a huge pucker factor, but you soon learn to anticipate, and monitor, what’s going on. In SC mode I normally drive with my hands in my lap, but if the road markings get vague I will have them close to the wheel, ready to take over if necessary. Yes, while most corners are done smoothly, there are some where the steering jerks a little. I made a couple of late night drives on out of the way roads in WY where SC never missed a beat, freeing me up to pay more attention, looking out for any wildlife with suicidal tendencies near the roadway. It drives more centered down the roadway than I do. Overall, I’m impressed at the capability of the sensors to see, and respond to, the direction of travel.
The cons? None really. For the first few weeks of travel I would get spurious CELs. Most would clear at the next engine start, some for ECU1 I cleared with my scanner. Because I need disconnect the battery while towing, to disable the column lock, I sometimes get a warning, after powering up again, to have the steering checked. Maybe the result of some of the OTA software updates, but it’s now been a few thousand miles since my last CEL.
