Compare the2022 GMC Yukon XLVS 2021 Ford Expedition Max

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 XL are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Yukon XL (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 Expedition Max doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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

Both the Yukon XL and the Expedition Max 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Yukon XL’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Expedition Max’s (6 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 6 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Yukon XL Denali’s standard 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) than the Expedition Max Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon XL gets better mileage than the Expedition Max:

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

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

The Yukon XL 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 Expedition Max doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon XL’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Expedition Max (134.1 inches vs. 131.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon XL is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Expedition Max.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon XL’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Expedition Max’s (42.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon XL Air Ride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Expedition Max (10 vs. 9.7 inches), allowing the Yukon XL to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Yukon XL offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Expedition Max can only carry 8.

The Yukon XL has .3 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more third row headroom and .6 inches more third row legroom than the Expedition Max.

The Yukon XL’s cargo area provides more volume than the Expedition Max.

The Yukon XL’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Expedition Max’s (7500 vs. 6000 pounds).

The Yukon XL (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 Expedition Max doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Yukon XL’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Expedition Max’s standard power windows’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The Yukon XL’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Expedition Max’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

When the Yukon XL SLT/AT4/Denali is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Expedition Max’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Yukon XL has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Expedition Max.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon XL owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon XL will cost $265 less than the Expedition Max over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Yukon XL will be $1738 to $2288 less than for the Ford Expedition Max.