2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2020 Honda CR-V, a fifth-generation compact crossover, had a design that was both familiar and fun. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon look rather than a traditional SUV appearance. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in pricier models clashing with low-quality plastics. This reminded drivers that even the expensive versions were upgrades of a commodity car rather than truly premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Yukon, a truck-based full-size SUV, was redesigned to offer a rugged yet refined look. Available in standard and extended-length body styles, the Yukon came in SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and unique interior stitching. The Yukon Denali Ultimate, priced at $83,720, featured a more upscale appearance with intricate grillework, chrome lower body trim, and appealing rear styling, making it more luxurious than its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a well-matched and fuel-efficient driving experience. The CR-V’s car-like demeanor translated to excellent road manners, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, with the Denali trim featuring a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble at idle. However, fuel economy was not its strong suit, with the 4WD Yukon Denali averaging 14.4 mpg on a testing loop. The new independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension improved ride quality and handling, while the Active Response 4WD system enhanced cornering performance and traction.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by the Honda Odyssey minivan, providing ample storage space. The rear cargo area offered a two-position load floor, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Even the door pockets were spacious, making the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, significantly improving passenger and cargo space. The front seats, though supportive, lacked a massage function and had hard upper door panel edges. The second-row seats slid and collapsed to fold flat, enhancing comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat provided actual thigh support, accommodating adults comfortably. Cargo volume was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger for 2020.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate Package provided a comprehensive infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included wireless device charging, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system, and a Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 GMC Yukon featured numerous advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. SLT trim and above added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Yukon’s ADAS operated smoothly, making it a reliable companion on long drives.