Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A black 2021 GMC Yukon is shown driving on a two way road overlooking mountains.

When Shopping for an SUV, Think Big

If you are in the market for a new family vehicle, you might be leaning toward an SUV. When you first started thinking about the SUV you might want in your garage, you thought the choice would be easy enough. You have your eye on a 2021 GMC Yukon, but you aren’t sure if it’s the best option. Once you began doing a little research, you discovered choosing the right SUV is going to be a difficult task. One of the reasons why the choice is going to be hard is because SUVs come in many sizes, and you have no idea which is right for you.

There was a time, many years ago, when there were no size choices for SUVs. Today, you can opt for a compact crossover, crossover, mid-size, or full-size SUV. While it’s always nice to have options, sometimes too many choices make coming to a decision a difficult process. So, what makes the full-size 2021 GMC Yukon right for you? There are several reasons why a full-size SUV might fit your lifestyle.

Benefits of Owning an SUV

You see SUVs on the road all of the time, and you might wonder why they have become so popular. They are a hot segment of vehicles, and everybody from business people to soccer moms can be seen driving them. One of the reasons why SUVs are so popular is their size. Because SUVs are bigger than your average sedan, they can seat more passengers and carry more cargo. In addition, passengers sitting in an SUV are more comfortable thanks to the additional head and legroom.

SUVs are also safer than the typical sedan for a couple of reasons. SUVs garner high safety scores because they offer more steel protection due to their size. SUV owners also sit high above the road, allowing them to see better. Common sense tells you that in a collision between an SUV and a sedan, the sedan would take the brunt of damage due to the size difference. SUVs also have higher ground clearance than sedans, making them less likely to get stuck in snow or mud. Lastly, SUVs offer hauling and towing capabilities that far exceed your typical sedan.

A close up of a black 2021 GMC Yukon shows the grille.

Size Matters

If you happen to have a large family or you will be using your SUV to transport several passengers, then getting a full-size SUV might be the right choice. Depending on the trim level and configuration, the 2021 Yukon can seat up to eight people, thanks to the third row of seating. Now, smaller SUVs offer third-row seating and can seat about the same amount of people, but the passengers in the back are in for a surprise. Some smaller SUVs cram the third row of seats into the back, and not only is it difficult for passengers to crawl back there but there is less leg and headroom, making the ride cramped and uncomfortable. In fact, some third-row seating in smaller SUVs is best suited for children.

All of that interior space you get with a full-size SUV is great for passengers, but it is also nice if you need room for cargo. If you will be using your SUV for recreational purposes or your weekend shopping sprees at the flea markets, you would be wise to choose a full-size model. The Standard Yukon offers up to 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are folded down. That is enough room for all of your camping gear or the great antique desk you found at the flea market. If you desire even more cargo space, the GMC Yukon XL offers an impressive 144.7 cubic feet of space when the rear seats are folded down.

Impressive Capabilities

Typically, smaller SUVs offer four and six-cylinder engines. There is nothing wrong with owning an SUV with a four or 6-cylinder engine unless you have a need for a more powerful one. If you are utilizing your SUV for towing and hauling applications, then you might want to consider a full-size SUV. Depending on trim level and available tow packages, the GMC Yukon will tow up to 8,400 pounds, which will get your boat to the lake with ease.

There are other compelling reasons why you might want a more powerful engine under the hood of your SUV. If you are the type of person who enjoys boating, camping, and other outdoor activities, it’s likely that you also enjoy the occasional off-road adventure. If not, you might have to take a few rough trial roads to get to your camping or boating destination. If so, then the full-size SUV with the powerful V8 is a good choice. The Yukon offers a 5.3-liter engine with 355 horsepower, plenty of power to get you to your destination off the beaten path. If that isn’t sufficient, you can always opt for the Yukon Denali with the 6.2-liter engine that cranks out an impressive 420 horsepower.

When talking about off-road capabilities, engine performance is just one piece of the puzzle. Ground clearance contributes to off-road capabilities as well. While you can get smaller SUVs with decent enough ground clearance, full-size SUVs offer more. The Yukon also boasts an independent rear suspension, which helps you over those rocky roads and gives you a more comfortable ride while doing it.

A black 2021 GMC Yukon is towing an Airstream.

Think Big

You see all types of people driving full-size SUVs and for many different reasons because they make excellent family vehicles. One reason that is often overlooked is that some people just love their big SUVs. And why not? There are plenty of reasons why big is better, and it has nothing to do with engine size or towing capacity; it has to do with pure enjoyment and the way you feel behind the wheel of a large SUV.

Big SUVs might not get the best gas mileage, they might be challenging to park in tight spots, and you might need a ladder to wash the exterior, but driving a big SUV is super fun. The way you tower over smaller SUVs and cars makes you feel on top of the world. In fact, you don’t even need to be driving it to enjoy the swag.

Just walking up to your full-size Yukon in a parking lot full of people will make you shine on the inside. You know people are looking at you and the beautiful, towering Yukon that you own and drive. Even the most tedious and mundane errands are exciting when you do them while driving a Yukon. The simple tasks of dropping the kids off at piano lessons and stopping at the farmer’s market for fresh kale and Brussels sprouts turn into a whole new adventure when you are behind the wheel of a full-size SUV.

Here is something else to consider; sometimes, you just buy a vehicle for pure enjoyment instead of the capabilities and features. A big SUV is the epitome of toughness; you will feel powerful behind the wheel of your Yukon because you know nothing is going to stop you. That bump in the road or that pothole might be of concern for someone in a sedan, but your Yukon will roll right over them like they were nothing. Behind the wheel of the 2021 GMC Yukon, you are king.