Compare the2023 GMC YukonVS 2023 Ford Expedition

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 Expedition doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Yukon and the Expedition have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Ford Expedition:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Ford Expedition:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon second among large suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Expedition isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

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

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

The Yukon SLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Expedition Timberline’s standard 70 series tires.

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 Expedition doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Expedition’s (38.1 feet vs. 41 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Expedition’s (39.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

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

The Yukon has .3 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more third row headroom than the Expedition.

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

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Expedition’s (7700 vs. 6000 pounds).

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 Expedition doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Yukon’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’s standard power windows’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The Yukon’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’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 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’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Yukon Denali’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Expedition (except STX)’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $468 to $1985 less than the Expedition over a five-year period.

The Yukon will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Yukon will retain 51.37% to 52.71% of its original price after five years, while the Expedition only retains 49.75% to 51.3%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Expedition because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the Expedition, including $223 less for a power steering pump.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon third among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Expedition isn’t in the top three.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Ford Expedition/Expedition Max by 33% during 2022.