Overview

What's New for 2012:
- Upgraded standard audio system

Exterior Features
The 2012 GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV built on a truck platform. Aside from some slight differences in styling, the Yukon is virtually the same vehicle as the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Yukon seats up to 9 passengers and is available in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive, with either a conventional or hybrid power plant. Trim levels available are SLE, SLT and Denali. (The extended-length Yukon XL is reviewed separately.) Wheel sizes range from 17 inches to 20 inches. Properly equipped, towing capacity for the Yukon is 8,500 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 SLE include cloth upholstery, tri-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 surround-sound system, exclusive styling, more power accessories, ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, navigation system, power tailgate, and an Off-Road Suspension package.

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

Under the Hood
The 2012 GMC Yukon 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. Also available is a 6.2-liter V-8 engine rated at 403 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon Hybrid combines a gasoline powered 6.0-liter V-8 engine rated at 332 horsepower and two 60-kilowatt electric motors.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 GMC Yukon are:
- Yukon with 5.3-liter engine: 15/21/17 mpg (city/highway/combined)
- Yukon with 6.2-liter engine: 13/18/15 mpg
- Yukon Hybrid: 20/23/21

Safety
Standard safety features on the GMC Yukon 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 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.