Technology improvements are the only changes for the GMC Yukon XL for the 2012 model year. The optional rear-seat entertainment system and navigation system have been upgraded.
The GMC Yukon XL is available in 14 trim levels, SLE Half-Ton, SLE Three-Quarter-Ton, SLT Half-Ton, SLT Three-Quarter-Ton, Fleet Half-Ton, Fleet Three-Quarter-Ton, and Denali, all of which can be configured with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD), except the Denali, which can be configured as RWD, 4WD or all-wheel drive (AWD). The standard engine package available for the Half-Ton 2012 Yukon XL is a 5.3-liter SFI Flex-Fuel Vortec V8 engine with active fuel management that achieves 320 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque. The Three-Quarter-Ton trims come equipped with a 6.0-liter VVT Vortec V8 SFI engine that runs on regular gas and maxes out at 352 hp and 382 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with a 6-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission with overdrive and tow-haul mode. The Denali is equipped with a 6.2-liter VVT SFI Flex-Fuel Vortec V8 engine with active fuel management that achieves 403 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel mileage varies depending on the trim and powertrain, according to the EPA. For example, a RWD Half-Ton Yukon XL equipped with the 5.3-liter V8 is rated at 15 mpg city/21 highway on regular gas and 11/16 on E85, while those equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 are estimated at 14/18 using gas and 10/15 on E85. Half-Ton 4WD Yukon XL trims equipped with 5.3-liter Flex-Fuel engines get 11/16, while those fueled by regular gas achieve 15/21. Half-Ton AWD Yukon XL trims get 13/18 on regular gas and 9/13 on E85. Three-Quarter-Ton RWD Yukon XL trims get 10/16, while 4WD Three-Quarter-Ton trims get 10/15. Finally, the Denali gets 13/18 on gas and 10/14 on E85.
Standard features found on all trims include tri-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows, power programmable door locks with lockout protection, power steering, tilt adjustable steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls, premium cloth seats, heated front bucket seats, 6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar control, 6-way power front passenger seat, second-row 60/40 split-folding bench seat, third-row 50/50 split-bench seat, 9-speaker Bose sound system with AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback and subwoofer in center console, Sirius XM satellite radio with a 3-month trial subscription, Bluetooth HandsFree phone system connectivity, USB port, remote vehicle start prep package, rear-window defogger, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, external heated power-adjustable, manual-folding mirrors, dual halogen composite headlights, front and rear intermittent wipers, heavy-duty locking rear differential, heavy-duty trailering equipment including trailering hitch platform, 7-wire harness with independent fused trailering circuits mated to a 7-way sealed connector and 2-inch trailering receiver, and 17-inch 8-lug bright-machined aluminum alloy sport wheels with all-season blackwall tires.
For certain trims, additional wheel options include 20-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum alloy wheels, 20-inch 6-tapered spoke chrome-clad aluminum alloy wheels, 20-inch 5-spoke notched design aluminum alloy wheels, 20-inch 6-single spoke design aluminum alloy wheels, 20-inch 6-spoke chiseled design aluminum alloy wheels, 22-inch 12-spoke high-gloss black painted with highly polished rim aluminum alloy wheels, 22-inch 6-spoke multifeatured design aluminum alloy wheels, 22-inch 8-single spoke design aluminum alloy wheels, and 22 inch 8-spoke open design aluminum alloy wheels. A power sunroof, power liftgate, engine block heater, rear seat entertainment system and navigation system are among the other available upgrades.
Standard safety and security features found on the 2012 GMC Yukon XL include 6 airbags (dual-stage frontal, driver and right-front passenger with passenger sensing system, head curtain side-impact for all outboard seating positions with rollover sensor, and seat-mounted side-impact, driver and right-front passenger for thorax and pelvic protection), adjustable head restraints, OnStar Directions and Connections plan with a 6-month trial subscription, tire pressure monitoring system, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, StabiliTrak stability control system with proactive roll avoidance and traction control, electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist, vehicle theft-deterrent system and front round halogen fog lights.
Current owners of the 2012 Yukon XL are most impressed with the room that the full-size SUV has. Many state that the Yukon XL easily carries 9 passengers, especially in the upper trim levels. Towing capability and available cargo room also rate high marks from current drivers. The SUV’s poor fuel economy was called out by some Yukon XL owners, while others acknowledge that the advantages of power and ride quality are worth the loss of fuel mileage.
