Starting at
Starting at
277-420 | Horsepower (hp) | 383-460 |
383-460 | Torque (lb-ft) | 401 |
8,400 | Max Towing (lbs) | 7,400 |
The GMC Yukon has long been a leader in the large SUV class, and the 2022 edition ensures it’ll retain that title for at least another year. Large SUVs have lost a little ground to their smaller crossover counterparts in recent years, but for drivers seeking to maximize power, performance, and space, there’s just no beating the 2022 Yukon. The three-row SUV can not only haul the whole family, but a sizable complement of gear as well, making it the perfect companion for everything from everyday driving to weekend adventures. GMC overhauled the Yukon for the 2021 model year, but there are still some changes for 2022 that deserve a closer look. We’ll also explore how the Yukon stacks up against one of its closest rivals, Toyota’s full-size Sequoia SUV. In the battle between the 2022 GMC Yukon vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia, you might find that the Sequoia lags behind the Yukon, showing just how well GMC has gone about designing its class-leading SUV.
As a family-oriented vehicle, safety is anything but an afterthought in the large-SUV class. With precious cargo on board, safety is one area where these vehicles tend not to skimp. Both the Yukon and Sequoia feature a generous complement of standard safety features, including traction control, electronic stability systems, lane departure warning systems, and rearview cameras, though not all these features are created equal.
For example, while the Sequoia features a basic backup camera, the Yukon allows drivers to opt for as many as nine individual points of view with GMC’s 360-degree Surround Vision technology. By stitching together live feeds from nine cameras to provide a composite birds-eye view of the entire area surrounding the vehicle, this technology makes even the tightest parking jobs a breeze, giving drivers the confidence to fit the full-size SUV into nearly any spot. While there’s no substitute for a driver’s own eyes, Surround Vision is a thoughtful piece of confidence-boosting tech.
In addition to the cameras, the Yukon features an array of sensors to improve safety. The SUV’s Reverse Automatic Braking monitors the area behind the vehicle to automatically engage the brakes when it senses an imminent rear collision, a feature not found on the Sequoia. Toyota’s SUV is also missing the front seat center airbags found on the Yukon, which deploy in the area between the front passenger and driver’s seat. This isn’t an area typically covered by airbags and serves to further illustrate GMC’s commitment to doing all it can to provide drivers with the safest ride possible.
The Yukon not only bests the Sequoia in established safety categories but also delivers some entirely new safety technology that gives it yet another clear advantage. All 2022 Yukons are equipped with Rear Seat Reminder, an industry-first technology that alerts drivers to check the back seat for belongings or children when exiting the vehicle. This might sound like a sort of superfluous creature feature, but it represents the type of forward-thinking that’s allowed the Yukon to remain a leader in the full-size SUV category for so long.
With this relatively simple feature, GMC makes it clear that its dedication to safety extends well beyond the typical crash tests and crumple zones. Debuting on the 2017 GMC Acadia, Rear Seat Reminder monitors the vehicle’s rear doors before it starts driving. If the system detects the doors have been opened and closed prior to driving, it will assume that something, or someone, has been placed in the backseat. When the vehicle is turned off at the end of a drive, the Yukon will sound five chimes and display a message directing the driver to check the rear seat.
For drivers who want the ability to customize their SUV, the Yukon offers some clear advantages. While the base Yukon offers a slightly smaller engine than the base Sequoia with a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower against the Toyota’s 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower, GMC drivers aren’t just stuck with one option. All Sequoia trim levels are stuck with the 5.7-liter option, while Yukon drivers can choose to upgrade to either a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 or a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel. The V8 engine - the same found in the Cadillac Escalade - is perfectly suited for the massive SUV, with enough power to launch the 5,500-pound-plus SUV from zero to sixty in just six seconds. The diesel is a good choice for drivers who expect to do a lot of towing and hauling with the Yukon, providing 460 pound-feet of torque that should be more than enough for most jobs.
The Yukon routes all this power through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This offers a good bit more flexibility than the Sequoia’s six-speed transmission, which lags behind in terms of acceleration, ride comfort, and towing. The gulf is even wider when it comes to fuel efficiency. At 13 MPG in the city and 17 MPG on the highway, the Toyota fits all the stereotypes of the gas-guzzling full-size SUV. To some extent, this can be written off to age - the Yukon has been redesigned more recently and is able to integrate newer technology and construction techniques - but that excuse only goes so far. The base engine and 6.2-liter option on the Yukon fare marginally better at 15 MPG city / 20 MPG highway and 14 MPG city / 19 MPG highway, respectively, but it’s the diesel that earns the GMC the nod. When equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax, the Yukon sees 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway, leaving the Toyota in the dust.
It also doesn’t help that the Sequoia is 200 pounds heavier in some configurations, and Toyota seems either unwilling or uninterested in embracing some newer technology that could go a long way in closing the gap. For instance, the Yukon is equipped with electronically controlled shutters in the front grille, which can restrict airflow to reduce drag when moving at higher speeds. When the engine doesn’t need to be cooled, this simple trick can go a long way in improving the SUV’s aerodynamic properties and, in turn, its fuel efficiency. GMC’s SUV also includes an available driver-adjustable suspension system, giving drivers the ability to switch between a softer mode to reduce fatigue and a sport setting that offers maximum control and responsiveness. The Sequoia lacks a similar system which, given the SUV’s massive size and weight, is a noticeable exclusion.
With their considerable size, the interiors of today’s full-size SUVs are almost a home away from home. As such, we expect a full complement of features that make the cab just as cozy as our own living rooms. The Sequoia’s age shows when it comes to interior tech, which lags behind the Yukon’s offerings by a considerable margin. The Yukon’s interior is significantly more stylish than the one found in Toyota’s SUV, with chrome accents abound, which, when combined with the leather-wrapped steering wheel, put the Sequoia’s plastic-heavy cabin to shame.
The gulf in amenities is even more pronounced when examining the interior tech offered on the two SUVs. The Yukon features a 10.2-inch infotainment screen to the Sequoia’s 7-inch display and includes hands-free communication, remote start, HD radio, and WiFi hotspot as standard options. The Sequoia does offer some similar tech upgrades for drivers who want to pay a little more cash, but considering the SUVs relatively comparable price tag, there’s really not much of an excuse. The Yukon also features six USB ports to the Sequoia’s three, which, when you have the whole family in tow, could make the difference between a peaceful ride and an all-out backseat brawl.
Few drivers in the large SUV category have ever complained about a lack of space, but how do the GMC Yukon and Toyota Sequoia stack up when it comes to cargo and passenger room? Based on the most basic metrics, the Yukon once again comes away as the clear favorite with its ability to comfortably seat nine passengers to the Toyota’s eight. These passengers will also be slightly more comfortable as the Yukon offers an additional 7.5 inches of front headroom, 4 inches of rear headroom, 2 inches of front legroom, and 3.7 inches of third-row headroom. The Yukon’s entire chassis is also wider and longer than the Sequoia, which, if it weren't for technology like GMC’s 360-degree Surround Vision, might be an issue when it came time to park. As it stands, the size is more than manageable, making the Yukon perhaps even more maneuverable despite its larger size.
The GMC not only offers more space but also makes it easier to customize. The Yukon’s second-row seats can fold themselves up at the push of a button, making it easier than ever to quickly switch between hauling passengers and making room for oversized cargo. Taking it one step further, the GMC includes a rear liftgate that can be opened by simply tapping your foot under the rear bumper. This might not seem like a game-changer, but its value will become clear as soon as you return to the vehicle with both arms full of heavy grocery bags. The Sequoia doesn't offer this level of automation in either area, which is starting to make the SUV seem more than a little outdated, especially at the price.