GMC Yukon XL vs Ford Explorer
Overview | |
MSRP$51,015 | MSRP$31,050 |
Listings200 | Listings1489 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 |
Reviews SummaryWith options quickly disappearing in the near-luxury large SUV segment, the GMC Yukon XL seems to deliver with a duo of powerful engines, a wealth of seating and storage, and 8,000 pounds of towing capacity. But manufacturing oversights and some competent competition mean you should strongly consider alternatives before making your decision. Before you discount the Yukon entirely, take a look at improvements that have been added to the 2016: a faster processor for its IntelliLink system, Apple CarPlay, and added safety features like lane-keep assist and auto high beams, plus SLT trims and above are now fitted with a hands-free power rear liftgate. | |
Reviews SummaryFor 2016, Ford refreshes the popular Explorer by updating the styling, upgrading the available features, offering a new and more efficient engine option, and adding a new Platinum luxury trim level. Collectively, the changes make the 2016 Explorer the best one yet. Unfortunately, Ford failed to fix one of this crossover SUV’s only real flaws, making it hard to recommend the Explorer. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine5.3L 355 hp V8 Flex Fuel Vehicle | Engine3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity9 | Seating Capacity7 |
Horsepower355 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower290 hp @ 6500 rpm |
MPG City16 | MPG City17 |
MPG Highway23 | MPG Highway24 |
Engine | |
Engine Name5.3L 355 hp V8 Flex Fuel Vehicle | Engine Name3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Torque383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm | Torque255 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower355 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower290 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Drivetrain4X2 | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City16 | MPG City17 |
MPG Highway23 | MPG Highway24 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity9 | Seating Capacity7 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space39.3 cu ft | Cargo Space21.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight5536 lbs | Curb Weight4457 lbs |
Height74.4 in | Height70.0 in |
Length224.3 in | Length198.3 in |
Width80.5 in | Width90.2 in |
Wheelbase130.0 in | Wheelbase112.8 in |
Maximum Payload1633 lbs | Maximum Payload1703 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity8300 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity5000 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity6300 lbs | Standard Towing Capacity5000 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $51,015 | $31,050 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 6.7 out of 10Read full review | 6.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | With options quickly disappearing in the near-luxury large SUV segment, the GMC Yukon XL seems to deliver with a duo of powerful engines, a wealth of seating and storage, and 8,000 pounds of towing capacity. But manufacturing oversights and some competent competition mean you should strongly consider alternatives before making your decision. Before you discount the Yukon entirely, take a look at improvements that have been added to the 2016: a faster processor for its IntelliLink system, Apple CarPlay, and added safety features like lane-keep assist and auto high beams, plus SLT trims and above are now fitted with a hands-free power rear liftgate. | For 2016, Ford refreshes the popular Explorer by updating the styling, upgrading the available features, offering a new and more efficient engine option, and adding a new Platinum luxury trim level. Collectively, the changes make the 2016 Explorer the best one yet. Unfortunately, Ford failed to fix one of this crossover SUV’s only real flaws, making it hard to recommend the Explorer. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 5.3L 355 hp V8 Flex Fuel Vehicle | 3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Drive Train | 4X2 | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 9 | 7 |
Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | 290 hp @ 6500 rpm |
MPG City | 16 | 17 |
MPG Highway | 23 | 24 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 5.3L 355 hp V8 Flex Fuel Vehicle | 3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Torque | 383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm | 255 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | 290 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 16 | 17 |
MPG Highway | 23 | 24 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 9 | 7 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 39.3 cu ft | 21.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 5536 lbs | 4457 lbs |
Height | 74.4 in | 70.0 in |
Length | 224.3 in | 198.3 in |
Width | 80.5 in | 90.2 in |
Wheelbase | 130.0 in | 112.8 in |
Maximum Payload | 1633 lbs | 1703 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 8300 lbs | 5000 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 6300 lbs | 5000 lbs |

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.
Popular vehicle comparisons
GMC Yukon XL vs Volvo XC90Ford Explorer vs Buick EnclaveAcura MDX vs GMC Yukon XLGMC Yukon XL vs Lincoln AviatorGMC Yukon XL vs Nissan RogueGMC Yukon XL vs Honda OdysseyGMC Yukon XL vs Ford Bronco SportGMC Yukon XL vs Kia EV6Ford Explorer vs Dodge Grand CaravanGMC Yukon XL vs Mitsubishi Outlander SportFord Explorer vs Mitsubishi Outlander SportFord Explorer vs Lincoln NavigatorFord Explorer vs Volkswagen ID.4Toyota Sienna vs Ford ExplorerFord Explorer vs Lexus RX HybridFord Explorer vs Hyundai Ioniq 5GMC Yukon XL vs Dodge Grand CaravanFord Explorer vs Honda OdysseyGMC Yukon XL vs MINI CountrymanFord Explorer vs MINI CountrymanGMC Yukon XL vs Lexus GXAcura MDX vs Ford ExplorerGMC Yukon XL vs Lexus RX HybridGMC Yukon XL vs Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Buick Enclave2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Acura MDX2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Buick Enclave2024 Acura MDX vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Kia EV6 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Honda Odyssey vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Lincoln Aviator vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Lexus GX vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Buick Enclave vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Volvo XC90 vs 2025 Ford Explorer2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Lexus GX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Kia EV62023 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Lexus GX vs 2024 GMC Yukon XL2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2023 Kia EV6 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 GMC Yukon XL2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Lincoln Navigator2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Acura MDX2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Volvo XC902023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator2023 Honda Odyssey vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Toyota Sienna2023 MINI Countryman vs 2023 GMC Yukon XL2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Nissan Rogue2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Ford Bronco Sport2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Lexus GX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Lexus GX2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 GMC Yukon XL2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 52022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 GMC Yukon XL2022 Acura MDX vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.42022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 GMC Yukon XL vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Toyota Sienna2022 GMC Yukon XL vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.42022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lexus GX2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Kia EV62022 Acura MDX vs 2022 GMC Yukon XL2022 GMC Yukon XL vs 2023 Nissan Rogue2022 Lexus GX vs 2023 GMC Yukon XL2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 GMC Yukon XL2022 Lexus GX vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Lexus GX2022 Kia EV6 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator2022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 MINI Countryman vs 2022 Ford Explorer








































