Overview

What's New for 2012:
- Upgraded navigation system
- Upgraded rear-seat entertainment system

Exterior Features
The 2012 GMC Yukon XL is a full-size SUV built on a truck platform, similar in design to the Chevrolet Suburban. Twenty inches longer than the GMC Yukon, the XL seats 9 passengers with optional front bench seating, or 8 with standard seating. The Yukon XL is available in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive in two series (1500 and 2500, which is the heavy-duty platform) and three trims (SLE, SLT and Denali). Wheel sizes range from 17 inches to 22 inches. Properly equipped, towing capacity for the Yukon XL is 9,600 pounds. Standard exterior features include roof rails, running boards, and heated mirrors, with a sunroof optional.

Interior Features
Standard interior features on the 2012 GMC Yukon XL SLE trim include cloth upholstery, 3-zone air conditioning, some power accessories, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 9-speaker Bose sound system. The SLT trim upgrades to leather upholstery and adds fog lights. The Denali features the larger wheels, 10-speaker Bose surround-sound system, exclusive styling, additional power accessories, ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, navigation system, power tailgate, and an Off-Road Suspension package. Cargo capacity is 49 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, and 137.4 cubic feet with third-row seats removed and second-row seats folded down.

Optional Features
A rear-seat entertainment system is available for all trims of the 2012 GMC Yukon XL. Many of the Denali's enhancements are available as options on the SLT trim.

Under the Hood
The 2012 GMC Yukon XL is offered with a choice of two gasoline engines and one hybrid gasoline electric system. The standard engine is a gasoline powered 5.3-liter V-8 rated at 320 horsepower. The Denali features a 6.2-liter V-8 engine rated at 403 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL are:
- Yukon XL with 5.3-liter engine: 14/20/16 mpg (city/highway/combined)
- Yukon XL with 6.2-liter engine: 12/19/14 mpg

Safety
Standard safety features on the 2012 GMC Yukon XL include anti-lock disc brakes, front-seat side air bags, full-length side curtain air bags, and emergency telematics. Other features are optional.

In government tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Yukon XL received 5 (out of 5) stars for frontal-offset crash protection; 5 stars for side-impact protection; 3 stars for rollover protection; and 4 stars overall. To date, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not conducted tests on the 2012 GMC Yukon XL.