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The 2009 GMC Yukon XL 4WD is a carryover from the prior model year, and its
presence is more commanding than the Mercury Mountaineer or any other SUV on the
market. With two powerful engine choices and impressive towing capabilities, the
Yukon XL 4WD is highly customizable and adaptable to almost any terrain. Those
that are looking for an extra-large SUV will find that the 2009 GMC Yukon XL is
one of the biggest on the road. However, the fuel economy is subpar and will
certainly deter some buyers. Inside, this year's Yukon is stocked with
amenities, but potential buyers should be aware that many are considered
upgrades and will come at an additional cost. While the base price at $42,745 is
affordable for some, the overall rate could be significantly higher once
personal touches are included.
The interior of the GMC Yukon XL comes with automatic dual-zone climate control,
an MP3-compatible stereo system, and the OnStar system. OnStar includes
turn-by-turn navigation, instant accident alerts, airbag deployment sensors, and
even hands-free calling. However, some consumers could be disappointed that the
navigation directions are provided by a live OnStar representative, rather than
a digital display built into the dash. With OnStar, Yukon owners can also get
recommendations for restaurants and help finding the nearest grocery store or
Movie Theater, among other things. Another addition is a three-month trial
subscription to XM Radio, a satellite radio that has commercial-free channels
and up-to-date weather and traffic reports.
Under the hood, the 2009 Yukon 4WD can be fitted with either a 310 horsepower
5.3L V8 or a 352 horsepower 6.0L V8. All are equipped with standard 4WD, but
buyers can pick from a half-ton model or three-quarter-ton version. The 5.3L
pick gets only 14 city MPG and 19 highway MPG; however, the 6.0L engine does not
come with fuel estimates. Nevertheless, consumers can opt for a flex-fuel
version of the lower engine for added fuel efficiency. This could certainly make
some buyers turn to an SUV by another maker. Both engines come standard with a
six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The Yukon has a max towing
capacity (3/4 ton version) of a massive 9,300-lbs, a number difficult to match
for any other SUV on the market.
These, up to nine-passenger, SUV's safety features include a tire pressure
monitoring system, dual-stage frontal airbags, and a keyless remote entry
system. The tire pressure monitoring system has a digital readout in the
instrument cluster. It constantly monitors each tire's pressure and will alert
drivers if a tire has too much or too little pressure. Four-wheel anti-lock disc
brakes are also featured on the Yukon.
In general, the 2009 GMC Yukon XL 4WD is a powerful piece of machinery. But,
those that are jumping on the green train will definitely need to investigate
another model. Large families will find that the Yukon XL is roomy and
adaptable. Those that do not need the space should take a look at a more compact
SUV.
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