Compare the2023 GMC YukonVS 2023 Lincoln Navigator

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 Navigator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Yukon and the Navigator 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 Lincoln Navigator:

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 Lincoln Navigator:

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 Navigator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

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

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 Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

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

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

The Yukon stops shorter than the Navigator:

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 Navigator 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 Navigator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (39.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Navigator (10 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

The Yukon has .5 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more third row headroom than the Navigator.

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

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (7700 vs. 6200 pounds).

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 Navigator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Yukon’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Navigator’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Navigator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $3228 to $7675 less than the Navigator 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 Navigator only retains 44.21% to 46.46%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Navigator because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the Navigator, including $86 less for front struts and $728 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 $22792 to $28730 less than for the Lincoln Navigator.

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 Navigator isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Lincoln Navigator by over six to one during 2022.