Compare the2024 Volvo XC90VS 2023 GMC Yukon

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC90 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The GMC Yukon doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The XC90’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Yukon doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC90 and Yukon have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC90 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Yukon’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. GMC doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Yukon. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

The Volvo XC90 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Yukon doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Yukon’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC90 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Yukon doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The XC90 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Yukon 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 XC90. But it costs extra on the Yukon.

The XC90 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’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XC90 has standard Cross Traffic Alert and Braking Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. GMC charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Yukon and the Yukon’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The XC90’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 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the XC90 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 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the XC90 and the Yukon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the GMC Yukon:

	XC90	Yukon
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	146
Neck Stress	252 lbs.	312 lbs.
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	51 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	217	233
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	47%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	272 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	66 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	383/334 lbs.	333/811 lbs.

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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the GMC Yukon:

	XC90	Yukon
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	209	239
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	383 lbs.	764 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the XC90 is 2.1% to 6% less likely to roll over than the Yukon.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC90 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Yukon has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The XC90 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Yukon’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The XC90’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Yukon’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo 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.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the XC90 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Yukon.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XC90 has a 800-amp battery. The Yukon only offers a standard 730-amp battery.

The battery on the XC90 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the XC90’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Yukon’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 7 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Engine

The XC90 T8’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (455 vs. 420) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 460) than the Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder is faster than the GMC Yukon 5.3 V8:

	XC90	Yukon
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.5 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Yukon:

			MPGe
XC90
	AWD	T8 Electric Motor	59 city/57 hwy
Yukon
			MPG
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/20 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/18 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Yukon:

			MPG
XC90
	AWD	2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
		2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Yukon
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/20 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/18 hwy

The XC90 T8 Extended Range can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Yukon can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the XC90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Yukon doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volvo XC90 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the GMC Yukon (3 to 6). This means the XC90 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Yukon every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC90 T8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Yukon:

	XC90 B5/B6	XC90 T8	Yukon
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.4 inches	13.5 inches

The XC90 stops much shorter than the Yukon:

	XC90	Yukon
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The XC90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Yukon SLE’s standard 65 series tires. The XC90’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Yukon’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Yukon SLE.

Suspension and Handling

The XC90 B6 Core handles at .84 G’s, while the Yukon Denali 4x4 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XC90 B6 Core executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.8 seconds quicker than the Yukon AT4 4x4 (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 30.6 seconds @ .51 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XC90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Yukon (8.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Volvo XC90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 900 pounds less than the GMC Yukon.

The XC90 is 1 foot, 3 inches shorter than the Yukon, making the XC90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the XC90’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 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the XC90 is 7.4 inches lower than the Yukon (15.8” vs. 23.2”). The XC90’s rear step up height is 7.5 inches lower than the Yukon’s (16” vs. 23.5”).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the XC90 easier. The XC90’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the Yukon’s liftover is 37 inches.

The XC90 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Yukon doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali, the XC90 Ultimate has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

If the windows are left open on the XC90 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Yukon can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Yukon doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC90 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Yukon doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC90 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Yukon doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC90 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 XC90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Yukon doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo XC90 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali offers wireless charging.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XC90 is less expensive to operate than the Yukon because it costs $237 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the XC90 than the Yukon, including $544 less for a muffler and $703 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Volvo XC90, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

Motor Trend selected the XC90 as their 2016 Sport Utility of the Year. The Yukon has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC90 as the 2016 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Yukon has never been chosen.

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