GMC Yukon vs Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 GMC Yukon exhibited a bold, premium aesthetic, especially with its copious use of chrome. From the base SLE to the top-tier Denali, chrome accents were abundant, with the ultimate expression found in the Denali's front, which was predominantly chrome. The Denali's grille resembled an industrial-sized cheese grater, projecting a unique and commanding presence. The signature C-shaped headlights flanked the oversized grille, contributing further to the Yukon's distinctive look. Our test vehicle's dark Redwood Metallic paint set off the 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels beautifully, part of the optional Ultimate package.

Inside the Yukon, the craftsmanship was evident. The spacious cabin provided ample room for up to nine occupants, with various seating configurations. The Denali trim offered heated and cooled leather seats and a more luxurious interior with four exclusive designs. Our test Denali featured the Teak/Light Shale color combo that added a touch of sophistication with contrasting colors, unique stitching, and natural wood details. The AT4 trim prioritized off-road aesthetics with a dark grille, skid plate, and red recovery hooks, complemented by a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents and AT4-specific details.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly in the 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) trim, exuded a retro charm. Aptly themed with stripes from the '70s, the exterior showcased a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and special badging. It was available in select colors like black, white, or red, each exuding a nostalgic vibe. The 4Runner had the rugged appearance of a truck-based SUV, allowing it to maintain an enduring appeal. The interior wasn't as opulent as the Yukon's, but it was purposeful and solid, with straightforward, user-friendly controls. The 40 ASE featured SofTex artificial leather seats with bronze stitching and an overall design that emphasized durability over luxury.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a versatile range of engines. The base 5.3-liter V8, standard on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a more robust 6.2-liter V8, producing 420 hp and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines employed direct injection and fuel-saving cylinder deactivation. Additionally, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, affectionately called the "Baby Duramax," provided 277 hp and an impressive 460 pound-feet of torque, emphasizing fuel economy and endurance.

All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Most models had rear-wheel drive standard, with four-wheel drive available optionally, except for the AT4 which came with 4WD. The Yukon's towing capability peaked at 8,400 pounds, given the right configuration. However, our Denali test vehicle with the 6.2-liter V8 had an 8,200-pound towing capacity. The redesigned Yukon also boasted independent rear suspension, enhancing handling, ride comfort, and interior space, although the ride could still be bouncy over rough terrain.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner stuck to a single engine choice: a 4.0-liter V6 offering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This setup was consistent across all trims and enabled a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time system for most trims and a full-time system for the Limited trim. It also featured off-roading technologies such as locking center and rear differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. Despite its capability, the 4Runner's performance on regular roads felt less refined, with sluggish acceleration, heavy steering, and occasionally unpredictable braking.

The GMC Yukon excelled in providing space and comfort. The redesigned model significantly improved third-row seating, increasing legroom from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches, addressing previous complaints. Cargo space behind the third row also grew to 25.5 cubic feet, thanks to a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension. The second-row seats were power-folding, and our test vehicle included power-retractable assist steps and a power-sliding center console with hidden storage, enhancing convenience and ease of use.

The Toyota 4Runner's form and function were straightforward and rugged. The most noteworthy feature was its power-down rear window, offering a unique, open-air experience. However, the interior was less luxurious and spacious than the Yukon's, with many hard plastic surfaces. The second-row seating was comfortable and roomy, but the optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space dramatically. With the third row, cargo space was limited to 9 cubic feet, while the five-passenger setup allowed for 46.3 cubic feet, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats down.

Technologically, the 2022 GMC Yukon was well-equipped. It featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of connected services. Our Denali test vehicle included a Bose 14-speaker audio system and a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens. While the infotainment system offered rich functionality, the audio quality of the Bose system fell short of expectations.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner lagged in technological sophistication. It had traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. Despite the dated graphics, the system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for ease of use. The voice recognition system performed reliably, though it couldn't handle every command. Optional upgrades included a JBL premium sound system and a navigation system, but overall, the 4Runner's technology felt dated compared to newer vehicles.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. The Pro Safety Plus package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. A standout feature was the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated to warn of potential dangers. The Yukon performed well in NHTSA tests, earning four stars overall, although it received just three stars for rollover resistance.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard across all trims. Adaptive cruise control functioned smoothly, but lane-departure warning could be annoying with frequent beeps. In NHTSA tests, the 4Runner also received an overall rating of four stars, with specific shortcomings in frontal crash protection and rollover resistance.