2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid Review
2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid a look.Several reviewers point out that the GMC Yukon Hybrid lets buyers have it all: large SUV capability and great fuel economy. "The Hybrid offers significant fuel savings versus conventional Yukon models, albeit at a stiff price premium,” explains Consumer Guide. The Yukon Hybrid starts at almost $13,000 more than the conventional Yukon. Reviewer gripes don’t stop with the price. Test drivers say the Yukon Hybrid drives like a conventional Yukon, which is a good thing. The 2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid is closely related to the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. If you like GMC, take a look at the GMC Acadia.
2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid looks much like a standard GMC Yukon and allows about the same level of performance and comfort.
From the outside—or even inside the cabin—there's very little to distinguish the Yukon Hybrid models from the standard Yukon ones, save for some slight aerodynamic modifications and subtle badging. That said, there's a lot that's different about the Yukon Hybrid. There are few compromises in the Hybrid. While the price premium for the Yukon Hybrid over the standard versions of the Yukon is quite steep, it nearly evens out when you're comparing Denali versions. For more about the 2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid, please see our full review covering the 2011 GMC Yukon, where you'll find more pictures, related news, and highlights from other review sources
The 2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid is one; its Chevy Tahoe Hybrid twin is the other. To the 6.0-liter V8 engine, the hybrid system adds a pair of 60-kilowatt motors (packaged within the transmission) for electric motivation. Thusly equipped, the Yukon Hybrid can (under low-load conditions) move solely under electric power to speeds up to around 25 mph. The 2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid is a full-size SUV available in one trim level. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist with rearview camera, tinted windows, power-folding heated side mirrors and tri-zone automatic climate control. A trip computer, Bluetooth, OnStar, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote engine start, leather upholstery, power front seats and a removable 50/50-split third-row seat are also standard. A sunroof and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system are the lone options.
The 2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid is available with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The system can accelerate the Yukon up to speeds of approximately 25 mph using electricity only, while the V8's cylinder-deactivation system helps reduce fuel consumption at higher speeds. Fuel economy ratings stand at 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Maximum towing capacity for a properly equipped 4WD model is 6,000 pounds.
Safety
In the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures, the Yukon Hybrid earned an overall rating of four stars (out of five), with five stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side crash protection. Aside from instrumentation, there's nothing to distinguish the Yukon Hybrid from a traditional Yukon. Even so, The Yukon Hybrid boasts attractive, high-quality materials and tight panel gaps while maintaining a simple control layout. The Yukon's standard third row enables it to accommodate up to eight passengers. With the third-row seats out of the picture and the second-row seatbacks folded, cargo capacity expands to a whopping 109 cubic feet, making the Yukon the roomiest hybrid on the market.
