Compare the2023 BMW X7VS 2023 GMC Yukon XL

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X7 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X7 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X7 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the Yukon XL.

The X7 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Yukon XL’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X7 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function and automatically engage the brakes. GMC charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Yukon XL and the Yukon XL’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The X7’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X7 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Yukon XL uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X7 and the Yukon XL 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 and available around view monitors.

Warranty

The X7 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Yukon XL’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Yukon XL’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Yukon XL.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the X7 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Yukon XL.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Yukon XL’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X7’s reliability 27 points higher than the Yukon XL.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, GMC is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. GMC is ranked 21st.

Engine

The X7 has more powerful engines than the Yukon XL:

	Horsepower	Torque
X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	375 HP	398 lbs.-ft.
X7 M60i 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid	523 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
Alpina XB7 4.4 turbo V8	631 HP	590 lbs.-ft.
Yukon XL 5.3 V8	355 HP	383 lbs.-ft.
Yukon XL Denali 6.2 V8	420 HP	460 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the Yukon XL:

			MPG
X7
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
		M60i 4.4 turbo V8	16 city/21 hwy
		Alpina XB7 4.4 turbo V8	16 city/20 hwy
Yukon XL
	RWD	5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/19 hwy
	AWD	5.3 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X7 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Yukon XL. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X7 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the GMC Yukon XL (3 to 6). This means the X7 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Yukon XL every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The X7’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Yukon XL:

	X7 xDrive40i	X7 M Sport	Yukon XL
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	13.5 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	13.6 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the Yukon XL (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 265/65R18). The X7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Yukon XL (285/45R21 vs. 275/60R20).

The X7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Yukon XL’s standard 65 series tires. The X7’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Yukon XL’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Yukon XL. The X7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Yukon XL.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X7 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Yukon XL, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For better maneuverability, the X7 w/Rear Steering’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Yukon XL’s (40.7 feet vs. 42.3 feet). The X7 xDrive40i’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Yukon XL w/20-22 inch wheels’ (42.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the X7 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Yukon XL (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X7 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The BMW X7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 250 pounds less than the GMC Yukon XL.

The X7 is 1 foot, 9.6 inches shorter than the Yukon XL, making the X7 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the X7’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Yukon XL doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X7’s middle and third row seats recline. The Yukon XL’s third row seats don’t recline.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than GMC. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, GMC is ranked 15th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Yukon XL SLT/AT4/Denali, the X7 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X7’s front and rear power windows all open or close 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 Yukon XL’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the X7 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Yukon XL can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X7 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X7 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. GMC doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Yukon XL.

The X7 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Yukon XL.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X7 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Yukon XL SLT/AT4/Denali offers wireless charging.

The X7’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Yukon XL Denali’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.