If you’re looking for a large SUV that offers your family maximum safety, you should definitely consider the 2023 GMC Yukon. Due to its massive size and weight and rugged construction, this full-size SUV does a remarkable job of protecting you and your passengers from injuries in the event of a collision. Its heavy body also enables it to stay well-planted around turns and on winding roads, minimizing your rollover risk. Check out this detailed guide to learn more about the weight and dimensions of the latest GMC Yukon.
How Much Does a 2023 GMC Yukon Weigh?

The curb weight of the 2023 GMC Yukon may vary depending on the body length and trim level you choose. The SLE, SLT, and Denali trims of the standard-length Yukon have a curb weight of 5,356 pounds, while the off-road-oriented AT4 and range-topping Denali Ultimate come in at 5,544 pounds. In contrast, the longer Yukon XL is slightly heavier, weighing 5,503 pounds in the SLE, SLT, and Denali configurations and 5,718 pounds in the AT4 and Denali Ultimate versions. At these weight levels, the GMC SUV is one of the heaviest mainstream SUVs on the market.
How Long Is the GMC Yukon?
Regardless of which trim level you choose, the 2023 GMC Yukon has an overall length of 210 inches. Additionally, it’s 81 inches wide without the side mirrors and 76.5 inches tall, making it a well-proportioned vehicle. It rides on a wheelbase that measures 120.9 inches long. The Yukon XL has the same width and height as the regular Yukon but is 225.2 inches long and comes with a 134.1-inch wheelbase.
How Much Space Do Passengers Get Inside the GMC Yukon?
Since it’s a large vehicle, the new GMC Yukon offers plenty of space for you and your family. With a total passenger volume of 178 cubic feet, it can comfortably accommodate up to eight people in three rows of seats. Opting for the popular second-row captain’s chairs reduces the capacity to seven.
Front passengers can stretch out with 44.5 inches of legroom, 42.3 inches of headroom, 66 inches of shoulder room, and 61.5 inches of hip room. The second-row seats are slightly less roomy, offering 42 inches of legroom, 38.9 inches of headroom, 64.8 inches of shoulder room, and 61.3 inches of hip room. Unlike some three-row SUVs that have cramped rear seats, this GMC model comes with adult-friendly third-row seats that provide 34.9 inches of legroom, 38.2 inches of headroom, 62.7 inches of shoulder room, and 49.4 inches of hip room.
The seating dimensions of the GMC Yukon remain the same regardless of the trim level or body length. With such spacious seats, this SUV can keep you and your passengers comfortable and relaxed even after hours of driving.
How Much Cargo Space Do You Get With the GMC Yukon?
If you enjoy going on road trips with your family or need to transport a lot of freight, you’ll appreciate the vast cargo area of the GMC Yukon. Leaving all three rows of seats upright gives you 25.5 cubic feet of storage space, while folding the rearmost seats yields 72.6 cubic feet. If that’s not enough, lay down the second-and third-row seats to achieve the maximum capacity of 122.9 cubic feet. This puts the Yukon among the cargo space leaders in the full-size SUV segment.
The extended length of the GMC Yukon XL translates to a larger cargo hold. This version offers 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and a whopping 144.7 cubic feet behind the third row. There’s ample room for dozens of carry-on suitcases or bulky items such as sports equipment, camping gear, home improvement supplies, and school projects.
Do the Size and Weight of the GMC Yukon Affect Its Performance?
Larger vehicles are generally more challenging to maneuver, so they can be somewhat cumbersome to drive. However, this isn’t the case with the 2023 GMC Yukon. With its light and precise steering, the Yukon is able to easily negotiate congested traffic and parking lots, making it an excellent choice for urban dwellers. Furthermore, it delivers a smooth and composed ride over uneven surfaces and around corners, thanks to its compliant suspension. Overall, this GMC offers better handling than most of its rivals.
Despite its hefty weight, the GMC Yukon feels surprisingly energetic. This is because of its powerful engine lineup, which includes the base 5.3-liter V-8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 with 460 lb-ft of torque. When fitted with the larger V-8, this SUV can accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in a mere 6 seconds. That’s faster than many cars and smaller SUVs.
If you intend to tow heavy loads, choose a model with the turbo-diesel unit, which is rated to tow up to 8,400 pounds when properly equipped. Maximum payload capacity stands at 2,044 pounds.
Compared to other full-size SUVs, the GMC Yukon provides decent fuel economy. It gives you 15/20 mpg (city/highway) with its standard engine and 14/20 mpg with the optional V-8. The turbo-diesel engine is the best option to save money at the gas station, as it earns an impressive 21/27 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 20/26 mpg with rear four-wheel drive.
If you reside in or near the Meadowland, New York, area and want to know whether the 2023 GMC Yukon can meet your needs and expectations, we invite you to stop by our Meadowland GMC dealership for a test drive. Serving Carmel, Brewster, Mahopac, Mohegan Lake, Patterson, and Hopewell Junction, we have one of the largest selections of new Yukons in southeastern New York. No matter which trim level or package you’re interested in, you can count on us to help you drive home a model that suits you perfectly.
Feel free to browse our Yukon inventory now and contact us so we can schedule a test drive.
Photo Credit: Gray Yukon XL by Truck Hardware is licensed with CC BY 2.0
