2021 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon
$51,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Toyota Highlander
2021 Toyota Highlander
$35,085MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 GMC Yukon
$51,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Highlander
$35,085MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$51,000

MSRP

$35,085

Listings

1430

Listings

1358

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Pros

  • Spacious third row

  • Powerful engine

  • Plenty of cargo space

Cons

  • Poor fuel economy

  • Uncomfortable seats

  • Interior materials feel cheap

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Comfortable

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Uninspired styling

  • Underwhelming base engine

  • Outdated technology

2021 GMC Yukon Reviews Summary

With the redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon, several good things happen. First, GMC improves passenger space and cargo space by stretching the wheelbase and switching to an independent rear suspension design. Second, those same changes, coupled with a new adaptive air suspension option, enhance the full-size SUV’s ride and handling. Third, payload ratings rise by as much as 100 pounds. Fourth, the Yukon gets a significant technology upgrade. But at the same time, the new Yukon takes a couple of steps backward. Tow ratings can’t match the outgoing Yukon, and in some cases, fuel economy numbers worsen rather than improve. Still, all things considered, the new 2021 Yukon represents advancement.

2021 Toyota Highlander Reviews Summary

Toyota hardly needs any help selling three-row Highlanders. It already sits close to the top of the sales charts for its segment, and few vehicles carry the name recognition as the Highlander, which enters into its 20th year of production.

But the three-row marketplace is a competitive one, and even after a 2020 redesign, Toyota would be foolish to rest on its laurels. As such, the Highlander enters this year with additional safety-feature technology listed as standard equipment.

No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

5.3L 355 hp V8

Engine

3.5L 295 hp V6

Drive Train

4X2

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

9

Seating Capacity

8

Horsepower

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

Horsepower

295 hp @ 6600 rpm

MPG City

15

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

20

MPG Highway

28
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon
$51,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Highlander
2021 Toyota Highlander
$35,085MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 GMC Yukon
$51,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Highlander
$35,085MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$51,000
$35,085
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.8

4.8

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Read full review

7.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Spacious third row

  • Powerful engine

  • Plenty of cargo space

Cons

  • Poor fuel economy

  • Uncomfortable seats

  • Interior materials feel cheap

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Comfortable

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Uninspired styling

  • Underwhelming base engine

  • Outdated technology

Summary
With the redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon, several good things happen. First, GMC improves passenger space and cargo space by stretching the wheelbase and switching to an independent rear suspension design. Second, those same changes, coupled with a new adaptive air suspension option, enhance the full-size SUV’s ride and handling. Third, payload ratings rise by as much as 100 pounds. Fourth, the Yukon gets a significant technology upgrade. But at the same time, the new Yukon takes a couple of steps backward. Tow ratings can’t match the outgoing Yukon, and in some cases, fuel economy numbers worsen rather than improve. Still, all things considered, the new 2021 Yukon represents advancement.

Toyota hardly needs any help selling three-row Highlanders. It already sits close to the top of the sales charts for its segment, and few vehicles carry the name recognition as the Highlander, which enters into its 20th year of production.

But the three-row marketplace is a competitive one, and even after a 2020 redesign, Toyota would be foolish to rest on its laurels. As such, the Highlander enters this year with additional safety-feature technology listed as standard equipment.

Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
5.3L 355 hp V8
3.5L 295 hp V6
Drive Train
4X2
FWD
Seating Capacity
9
8
Horsepower
355 hp @ 5600 rpm
295 hp @ 6600 rpm
MPG City
15
20
MPG Highway
20
28
Look and feel

2021 GMC Yukon

9/10

2021 Toyota Highlander

9/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 GMC Yukon as 9 out of 10 and the 2021 Toyota Highlander as 8 out of 10. The 2021 GMC Yukon positions itself as a premium-grade SUV, offering a rugged yet refined design. On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stands out in a crowd with its wide headlights and long hood.
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Picture of 2021 GMC Yukon
Performance

2021 GMC Yukon

6/10

2021 Toyota Highlander

6/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 GMC Yukon 6 out of 10 and the 2021 Toyota Highlander 6 out of 10. The 2021 GMC Yukon offers powerful engine options with impressive acceleration, while the 2021 Toyota Highlander provides a reliable V6 engine suitable for everyday driving.
Form and function

2021 GMC Yukon

8/10

2021 Toyota Highlander

7/10
The 2021 GMC Yukon provides impressive passenger and cargo space improvements thanks to its redesigned structure. The Yukon Denali offers luxurious features like heated seats and a power-folding third-row for enhanced comfort. In comparison, the 2021 Toyota Highlander offers a practical interior design with adaptable second-row seats and a decent cargo capacity.
Technology

2021 GMC Yukon

9/10

2021 Toyota Highlander

7/10
The 2021 GMC Yukon comes equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system, rear-seat entertainment, and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control. On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota Highlander offers easy-to-use touchscreens, advanced safety features in the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, and good sound quality from its audio system.
Safety

2021 GMC Yukon

9/10

2021 Toyota Highlander

10/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 GMC Yukon 9 out of 10 and the 2021 Toyota Highlander 10 out of 10 for safety. The 2021 GMC Yukon offers a host of advanced driving assistance systems, while the 2021 Toyota Highlander comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ and receives top safety ratings.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 GMC Yukon is 7.7 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Highlander scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, we recommend choosing the 2021 GMC Yukon for its premium feel and impressive performance.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 GMC Yukon is 7.7 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Highlander scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, we recommend choosing the 2021 GMC Yukon for its premium feel and impressive performance.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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