GMC Yukon vs Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced for the 2015 model year, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and by 2021, the Premier trim level was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, and cruise control. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2022 GMC Yukon, especially in its Denali trim, was a chrome lover's dream. The Denali's front was almost entirely chrome, dominated by a vast, multi-dimensional grille. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. The off-road-oriented AT4 trim had unique front styling, including a dark grille, a skid plate, and horizontal red recovery hooks. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale color combo. The AT4 trim had a Jet Black interior with AT4-exclusive Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum details.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled to provide adequate power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax, increasing horsepower to 155 while maintaining the same torque.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices, including a 3.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder. The standard engine on all trims except the Denali was a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The new turbodiesel engine produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and a range of up to 648 miles on a tank. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with most versions offering standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) and optional four-wheel drive (4WD). The AT4 trim was exclusively 4WD. The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and the Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim, with its 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The 2022 Yukon featured independent rear suspension, providing better handling and a smoother ride, especially for third-row passengers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows. While the front seats were supportive, the rear seats lacked bolstering and could be uncomfortable over long distances. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement, accommodating large water bottles without interfering with the driver's elbow. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat to accommodate larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered ample first- and second-row passenger space, with significant improvements in third-row legroom, increasing from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches. Cargo space behind the third row also increased to 25.5 cubic feet. The extra space was achieved through a nearly five-inch wheelbase stretch and six inches of additional length, along with the move to an independent rear suspension. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. Our test vehicle featured power-folding second-row buckets and power fold-flat third-row seats. The Denali trim included a power-sliding center console with hidden storage and power-retractable, illuminated assist steps. The Yukon also featured pushbutton transmission controls, located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, introduced in the 2020 model year. The system featured easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials surrounding the screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions controlled via the steering wheel. The Denali trim featured a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, the largest in its class, displaying driving speed, speed limit, audio information, and safety aids. The Yukon's center stack housed a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, and an available WiFi hotspot. Our test vehicle included a Bose 14-speaker audio system, though the sound quality was not as impressive as expected. The Denali Ultimate Package added a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, the Trax lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning, which were not available even as options.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package, available on SLE and standard on SLT and above, added lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Our test Yukon featured a Safety Alert Seat and an adjustable rear camera mirror. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Yukon an overall rating of four out of five stars, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Yukon.