Toyota Highlander vs GMC Yukon

The 2022 GMC Yukon presented itself as a shining example of chrome-dominated design. Even the base SLE model sported enough shiny surfaces to give it a premium appearance. As one climbed the trim ladder up to the Denali, the chrome accents became more pronounced. The Denali, in particular, seemed purposefully designed to capture attention, with its vast multi-dimensional chrome grille resembling an industrial cheese grater. The 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels of our test vehicle popped against the dark Redwood Metallic paint, further emphasizing its luxurious look. The Denali’s interior was equally impressive, featuring a tastefully crafted, spacious cabin with a Teak/Light Shale color combo, unique stitching, and natural wood details that added layers and textures for a premium look. The off-road-oriented AT4 had a distinct appearance with its dark grille, skid plate, and unique Brandy accents within its Jet Black interior, delivering a rugged yet refined identity.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, showcased a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design. The flared fender arches and a kick-up third-row window design contributed to a sleeker, more compact appearance. Inside, the Highlander made excellent use of its spacious cabin, with clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. Our XSE test car stood out with its bold red leather interior package, contrasting with a sedate navy blue exterior. It featured ambient interior lighting, unique exterior styling elements, and a sport-tuned suspension. The XSE trim, along with others like the XLE and Platinum, offered plenty of upscale features, including synthetic leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen on the top trims. The overall look and feel of the Highlander balanced modernity, functionality, and comfort.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines. Standard on all trims except the Denali was a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali and the AT4 boasted the more powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine, generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, labeled the "Baby Duramax," was available on all trims except the AT4. This engine produced 277 horsepower and an impressive 460 pound-feet of torque, enabling the Yukon to achieve excellent fuel efficiency and long-distance travel of up to 648 miles per tank. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard on most versions and four-wheel drive available as an option. The AT4 trim came exclusively with 4WD.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander sported a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Highlander’s transmission featured a tap-shift function and paddle shifters on some trims. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which was average for its class. Driving modes included Sport, Normal, and Eco, allowing for a customizable driving experience. On the road, the Highlander handled well, with the XSE’s sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while providing a comfortable ride.

The 2022 GMC Yukon excelled in interior space and functionality. The redesign had significantly improved third-row legroom from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches, making it more accommodating for passengers. Cargo space also saw an increase, offering 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet with the third row down, and a massive 122.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Yukon featured power-folding second-row bucket seats and power fold-flat third-row seats, enhancing ease of use. The Denali trim provided a power-sliding center console with hidden storage, adding to its practical appeal. The power-retractable, illuminated assist steps made ingress and egress easier.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander, while slightly smaller, was efficient in its use of space. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second- and third-row seats down. Quick-release latches and pull-straps made lowering and raising the seats a breeze. The Highlander provided numerous storage solutions, including deep cargo pockets, multiple USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The second-row captain’s chairs were a valuable addition, especially for families, enhancing comfort and accessibility.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came equipped with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features on the Denali included Google Built-In services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Our Denali test model also featured a Bose 14-speaker audio system, although its sound quality was somewhat underwhelming compared to other Bose systems. The rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens offered diverse media compatibility, making it a family-friendly entertainment system.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen that supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The straightforward layout was backed by hard buttons for easier navigation, a feature many consumers appreciated. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system. Standard technology included a WiFi hotspot and multiple USB ports, with wireless phone charging available in higher trims. The Highlander's infotainment system was user-friendly and accessible, making it an excellent choice for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with GMC’s Pro Safety suite, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Higher trims offered additional features such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Safety Alert Seat and adjustable rear camera mirror were standout features in our test Yukon. The Yukon received an overall rating of four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with individual scores of four stars for the front crash, five stars for the side crash, and three stars for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim, with additional features like parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a surround-view monitor, and adaptive headlights available on higher trims. The lane-departure warning system was noted for being particularly sensitive, which could be both a positive and a drawback depending on driving conditions.