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2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid Bottom Line

February 18, 2009

By Rex Roy's avatar Rex Roy, Detroit EditorRex Roy

TheCarConnection.com perused the range of reviews for the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid to write this conclusive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the GMC Yukon Hybrid and added opinions and observations where they might help you make a better decision.

Likes:

  • Sedan-like city fuel economy
  • Excellent acceleration and power
  • No-compromise towing capabilities
  • Smooth, unobtrusive hybrid drive

Dislikes:

  • Difficult access to third-row seats
  • Much more expensive than the standard Yukon

Buying Tips:


The approximately $5,000 price premium that GMC charges for the Yukon Hybrid can be a hurdle if you're buying the Yukon for economics alone. Depending on what you wager the price of gas to be, it could take many years to recoup your cost in saved gasoline.

Buyers of the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid want to have their cake and eat it too. They're looking for a large, roomy and capable SUV but also demand fuel economy that won’t break the budget or put them in bad standing with the neighbors. GMC’s Yukon Hybrid delivers on this count, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 22 mpg highway—a full 50 percent better in the city than the standard Yukon with a 5.3-liter V-8—while maintaining a respectable tow rating of 6,000 pounds.

The Yukon Hybrid was launched in 2008 and rolls quietly into 2009 virtually unchanged.  The Hybrid's advanced powertrain combines a specially outfitted 332-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 with an Electrically Variable Transmission that GMC developed with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler.

Driving the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid requires no special skills; you interact with the vehicle as you would a normal Yukon. The experience, however, is a bit different. In some cases, the gasoline engine may not start, as this GMC is capable of running up to 32 mph on only electric power.  When the engine does kick in, it does so seamlessly and even features GM’s Active Fuel Management that allows the V-8 to run on four cylinders to save fuel.

The result of all this technology is a large, luxurious SUV that drives beautifully. There is an abundance of power, and the extra torque from the twin electric motors make this full-size SUV feel lively and agile. Cruising is quiet, especially when the SUV is running on battery power. At first it's a bit eerie, but you get used to it.

The 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid looks quite similar to other GM full-size SUVs from a distance, but up close it incorporates a number of small changes. The exterior has been aerodynamically refined with special features that help the Yukon Hybrid slip through the air more easily. The interior of Yukon Hybrid is equipped very lavishly and generously—much like the premium Yukon Denali and just a notch short of the Cadillac Escalade. Lightweight leather-trimmed front seats are unique, as is the instrument panel.

Hybrid technology improves the efficiency, but it can’t magically eliminate all the limitations of a SUV. Similar to the standard GMC Yukon, the 2009 suffers from a cramped third-row seat and limited cargo room aft of the back row.

Other Choices:

If you're interested in the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrid use the same Hybrid technology as the GMC Yukon, but their platform is much older than the 2009 GMC Yukon's. If you are comparing hybrids, check out the offerings from Toyota/Lexus: the Highlander and RX400h hybrid models. These are both comfortable and efficient crossovers, but if you need room, towing, and four-wheel-drive capabilities, go with the 2009 Yukon Hybrid. If you don’t care how you get better mileage, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel. It features a Mercedes-Benz-sourced V-6 turbodiesel that gets 17/22 mpg city/highway, with real-world highway fuel economy that's even better. But it only seats five, so if you need to carry a brood, the GMC Yukon Hybrid is a better choice.

The Bottom Line:

If you aren't price-sensitive, the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid really is a no-compromise SUV.

TheCarConnection.com perused the range of reviews for the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid to write this conclusive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the GMC Yukon Hybrid and added opinions and observations where they might help you make a better decision. Likes:Sedan-like city fuel economyExcellent acceleration and powerNo-compromise towing capabilitiesSmooth, unobtrusive hybrid driveDislikes:Difficult access to third-row seatsMuch more expensive than the standard YukonBuying Tips: The approximately $5,000 price premium that GMC charges for the Yukon Hybrid can be a hurdle if you're buying the Yukon for economics alone. Depending on what you wager the price of gas to be, it could take many years to recoup your cost in saved gasoline. Buyers of the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid want to have their cake and eat it too. They're looking for a large, roomy and capable SUV but also demand fuel economy that won’t break the budget or put them in bad standing with the neighbors. GMC’s Yukon Hybrid delivers on this count, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 22 mpg highway—a full 50 percent better in the city than the standard Yukon with a 5.3-liter V-8—while maintaining a respectable tow rating of 6,000 pounds. The Yukon Hybrid was launched in 2008 and rolls quietly into 2009 virtually unchanged.  The Hybrid's advanced powertrain combines a specially outfitted 332-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 with an Electrically Variable Transmission that GMC developed with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler. Driving the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid requires no special skills; you interact with the vehicle as you would a normal Yukon. The experience, however, is a bit different. In some cases, the gasoline engine may not start, as this GMC is capable of running up to 32 mph on only electric power.  When the engine does kick in, it does so seamlessly and even features GM’s Active Fuel Management that allows the V-8 to run on four cylinders to save fuel. The result of all this technology is a large, luxurious SUV that drives beautifully. There is an abundance of power, and the extra torque from the twin electric motors make this full-size SUV feel lively and agile. Cruising is quiet, especially when the SUV is running on battery power. At first it's a bit eerie, but you get used to it. The 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid looks quite similar to other GM full-size SUVs from a distance, but up close it incorporates a number of small changes. The exterior has been aerodynamically refined with special features that help the Yukon Hybrid slip through the air more easily. The interior of Yukon Hybrid is equipped very lavishly and generously—much like the premium Yukon Denali and just a notch short of the Cadillac Escalade. Lightweight leather-trimmed front seats are unique, as is the instrument panel. Hybrid technology improves the efficiency, but it can’t magically eliminate all the limitations of a SUV. Similar to the standard GMC Yukon, the 2009 suffers from a cramped third-row seat and limited cargo room aft of the back row. Other Choices:If you're interested in the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid, also consider:Chrysler Aspen HybridDodge Durango HybridToyota Highlander HybridLexus RX 400hJeep Grand Cherokee DieselReason Why:The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrid use the same Hybrid technology as the GMC Yukon, but their platform is much older than the 2009 GMC Yukon's. If you are comparing hybrids, check out the offerings from Toyota/Lexus: the Highlander and RX400h hybrid models. These are both comfortable and efficient crossovers, but if you need room, towing, and four-wheel-drive capabilities, go with the 2009 Yukon Hybrid. If you don’t care how you get better mileage, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel. It features a Mercedes-Benz-sourced V-6 turbodiesel that gets 17/22 mpg city/highway, with real-world highway fuel economy that's even better. But it only seats five, so if you need to carry a brood, the GMC Yukon Hybrid is a better choice. The Bottom Line:If you aren't price-sensitive, the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid really is a no-compromise SUV. TheCarConnection.com perused the range of reviews for the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid to write this conclusive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove the GMC Yukon Hybrid and added opinions and observations where they might help you make a better decision. Likes Sedan-like ...

Other Choices:

The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrid use the same Hybrid technology as the GMC Yukon, but their platform is much older than the 2009 GMC Yukon's. If you are comparing hybrids, check out the offerings from Toyota/Lexus: the Highlander and RX400h hybrid models. These are both comfortable and efficient crossovers, but if you need room, towing, and four-wheel-drive capabilities, go with the 2009 Yukon Hybrid. If you don’t care how you get better mileage, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel. It features a Mercedes-Benz-sourced V-6 turbodiesel that gets 17/22 mpg city/highway, with real-world highway fuel economy that's even better. But it only seats five, so if you need to carry a brood, the GMC Yukon Hybrid is a better choice.

Next Steps:

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See the GMC Yukon Hybrid in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

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