Compare the2022 GMC YukonVS 2021 Mercedes G-Class

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 G-Class 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 G-Class doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Yukon Denali offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The G-Class doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Yukon (except SLE) offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The G-Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Yukon and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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

The Yukon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the G-Class’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 4 times as many GMC dealers as there are Mercedes 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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC 17th in initial quality. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 4 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 4 more horsepower (420 vs. 416) and 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 450) than the G 550’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 450) than the G 550’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon gets better mileage than the G-Class:

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 G-Class requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 G-Class 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 a nine-speed automatic is available for the G-Class.

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

The Yukon stops shorter than the G-Class:

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes G-Class 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 G-Class doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the GMC Yukon has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the G-Class (120.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The Yukon AT4 4x4 handles at .66 G’s, while the G 550 pulls only .61 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (38.1 feet vs. 44.6 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (39.7 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the G-Class (10 vs. 9.5 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Yukon has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Yukon (except Diesel) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G-Class doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

The Yukon has 61.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G-Class (168.3 vs. 107).

The Yukon has .4 inches more front headroom, 5.8 inches more front legroom, 8.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 7.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

The Yukon’s cargo area provides more volume than the G-Class.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon’s (except SLE) optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

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 G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the G-Class’ (7700 vs. 7000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes G-Class is only 7000 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 G-Class can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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 G-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Yukon (except SLE/SLT) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The G-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 G-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Yukon has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Yukon is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The G-Class doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $9475 to $11750 less than the G-Class over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Yukon will be $77683 to $93217 less than for the Mercedes G-Class.