Are you looking for a spacious SUV that offers outstanding value and capability? Your search starts and ends right here with the 2022 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL and 2022 Chevy Suburban/Tahoe. Known as brand siblings under the General Motors umbrella, GMC and Chevrolet have a lot in common, especially when you look at models like the Yukon, Tahoe, Yukon XL, and Suburban that share the same platforms and come with many of the same features. These similarities make choosing between the models more about style, as you’ll see with this in-depth comparison of General Motors’ best-selling SUVs.
Size and Classification
Why reinvent the wheel? The 2022 GMC Yukon and the 2022 Chevy Tahoe share the same platform as do the 2022 Yukon XL and 2022 Suburban. This means the models offer similar dimensions and share the same classification as full-size SUVs. So, how do the numbers compare?
The 2022 Yukon and 2022 Tahoe stretch across a 120.9-inch wheelbase, with the Tahoe measuring 210.7 inches in length and the Yukon at 210 inches. The Tahoe stands 75.8 inches tall, while the Yukon is slightly taller at 76.5 inches. This spaciousness gives passengers across all three rows ample head and legroom as well as a spacious cargo area measuring 122.9 cubic feet on both models.
The 2022 Yukon XL and the 2022 Suburban are significantly larger than the Yukon and Tahoe. The Yukon XL measures 225.2 inches long while the Suburban stretches slightly farther at 225.7 inches. In contrast, the Yukon is taller at 76.5 inches, while the Suburban has an overall height of 75.7 inches. Despite this modest difference, both models offer ample room for passengers and cargo with three rows of seats and 144.7 cubic feet of cargo volume when the second and third rows are folded.
Powertrains and Efficiency
Chevrolet and GMC give you three powertrain options whether you’re shopping for the Yukon, Yukon XL, Suburban, or Tahoe. The lineup starts with the standard 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine with dynamic fuel management. Balancing power and efficiency, the 5.3-liter is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and delivers 355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque, and an average fuel economy of 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway.
For more power, you can opt for the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine that comes standard on GMC’s Denali trim. Featuring dynamic fuel management and mated to the same 10-speed automatic transmission, the V8 pushes the SUVs to greater capability by churning out 420 horses and 460 lb-ft of torque. This increase in power decreases fuel efficiency across the board, with an average of 14 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway.
While full-size SUVs like the Yukon, Yukon XL, Suburban, and Tahoe aren’t known for their efficiency, GMC and Chevrolet are working to change that. The available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel is responsible for the SUVs’ best fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The Tahoe betters this efficiency by averaging 28 MPG on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient full-size SUV in the segment. In terms of power, the Duramax delivers plenty with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque for exceptional pulling power.
Innovative Tech Features
There’s no shortage of innovative technology across the GMC and Chevy lineups, with the Yukon, Yukon XL, Suburban, and Tahoe putting everything you need within eyesight or at your fingertips. The models offer similar technology with brand-specific names and a few slight differences in size or capability. For example, the GMCs come standard with a 12-inch driver information center, while Chevy’s digital instrument cluster measures 12.3 inches. Both function the same way by giving you a clear display of vital information like speed, fuel level, driver-assist cues, trip logs, and more.
GMC’s connected infotainment system and the Chevrolet infotainment system both offer smartphone integration, Google Built-In, and Amazon Alexa. There are slight differences in the available display size with the Yukon and Yukon XL equipped with a 10.2-inch display, while the Tahoe comes standard with an 8-inch display that increases to a 10.2-inch display on top-tier trims. Beyond this, the systems give you access to your favorite apps and equip the SUVs with a virtual assistant that can make calls, respond to messages, stream music, schedule appointments, etc. Google Built-In is especially helpful since it allows you to use voice commands to change the channel on the radio, navigate the most efficient route, adjust the radio volume, and more without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.
Beyond connectivity, the GMC and Chevy SUVs also offer functional tech features that make your time behind the wheel more enjoyable and comfortable. The GMC Yukon and Yukon XL offer a first-in-class air ride adaptive suspension that actively reads the terrain and adjusts the suspension as needed for optimal handling and ride comfort. On the Chevy, the feature is known as the four-corner air ride adaptive suspension and works the same way to improve the Tahoe’s and Suburban’s aerodynamics, efficiency, and performance.
Safety and Driver-Assist
General Motors prioritizes your safety above everything else, and that means you’ll find cutting-edge safety and driver-assist tools on both the GMC and Chevy lineup. The GMC Yukon and Yukon XL come standard with the GMC Pro Safety Plus suite that includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Braking, and IntelliBeam Automatic High Beams to enhance your visibility and minimize the potential for collision. On the Suburban and Tahoe, these tools are centralized in the Chevy Safety Assist suite.
As part of prioritizing your safety, GMC and Chevrolet ensure you have all the tools you need at your fingertips. The Yukon, Yukon XL, Suburban, and Tahoe offer 13 unique camera views that extend your visibility around the SUVs to make your job easier behind the wheel. Advanced features like GMC’s ProGrade Trailering System and Chevy’s Advanced Trailering System work in conjunction with this by giving you a view of the hitch to make hitching and unhitching easier as well as alerting you to vehicles in the trailer’s blind spots so that you can change lanes with confidence.
Decisions, Decisions
The 2022 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL and the 2022 Suburban/Tahoe are four outstanding full-size SUVs that are capable, versatile, and practical. Their vast similarities in powertrains, efficiency, technology, and size make choosing between the models more about your style preferences and brand loyalty. Do you love the opulence of the GMC brand, or are you loyal to the bowtie and everything it offers?
One key difference between the models is GMC’s reputation for delivering next-level luxury with trims like the Denali. When shopping for a GMC, you know immediately that the Denali name means high-quality materials, from exquisite detailing to premium leather seats and every bell and whistle imaginable. The Suburban Premier and the Suburban Tahoe take the top-tier spot in Chevy’s full-size SUV lineups, but they pale in comparison to the opulence that comes with the Denali name. For those who prioritize luxury and a feature-rich trim, this makes the 2022 Yukon and 2022 Yukon XL Denali clear winners. However, if you want all the features at the best price, then the Chevy Suburban or Tahoe are the way to go.
So, where does that leave you? The best way to determine which SUV suits your needs and reflects your style is to see the models in person. Ask to take a test drive to see firsthand how GMC and Chevrolet approach the full-size SUV segment and why models like the Yukon/Yukon XL and the Suburban/Tahoe are the most popular on American roads.
