Compare the2022 GMC YukonVS 2022 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the GMC Yukon are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Yukon are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Yukon (except SLE with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The X5 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Yukon and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

GMC’s powertrain warranty covers the Yukon 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 5 times as many GMC dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC 17th in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th.

The Yukon’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (355 vs. 335) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 331) than the X5’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 331) than the X5’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon gets better mileage than the X5:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Yukon V8’s fuel efficiency. The X5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Yukon uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 6.2 V8 engine for maximum performance). The X5 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Yukon has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 (24 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Yukon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Yukon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X5.

For better stopping power the Yukon AT4/Denali’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X5:

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X5 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Yukon has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The X5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Yukon has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the X5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

The Yukon AT4/Denali has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the X5 (120.9 inches vs. 117.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X5.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the X5’s (38.1 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the X5’s (39.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (10 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the X5 can only carry up to 7.

The Yukon has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front legroom, 6 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom and 6.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Yukon’s middle row seats recline. The X5’s middle row seats don’t recline.

The Yukon’s cargo area provides more volume than the X5.

The Yukon’s cargo area is larger than the X5’s in every dimension:

The Yukon’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the X5’s (7700 vs. 6122 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X5 is only 7209 pounds. The Yukon offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Yukon 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Yukon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The X5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Yukon uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Yukon has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X5 (1702 vs. 1014 lbs.).

The Yukon has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X5 (1792 vs. 1030 lbs.).

The Yukon’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Yukon has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X5 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Yukon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $2690 to $4840 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the X5 because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the X5, including $249 less for a water pump, $1026 less for a muffler, $120 less for front brake pads, $386 less for a starter, $171 less for fuel injection, $367 less for front struts, $605 less for a timing belt/chain and $1537 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Yukon will be $17190 to $29698 less than for the BMW X5.