Compare the2024 GMC YukonVS 2024 Subaru Ascent

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Ascent doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Yukon and the Ascent 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 GMC Yukon weighs 900 to 1501 pounds more than the Subaru Ascent. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Subaru Ascent:

	Yukon	Ascent
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	190
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	159/292 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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

	Yukon	Ascent
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	37
Hip Force	118 lbs.	274 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	27 G’s
Hip Force	248 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	18 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	52 G’s

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

Warranty

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

There are almost 3 times as many GMC dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Yukon has a standard 220-amp alternator (250-amp - Yukon Diesel). The Ascent’s 190-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Yukon has a standard 730-amp battery (850 Diesel). The Ascent’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon second among large suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Ascent isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 34 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Subaru.

Engine

The Yukon’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 95 more horsepower (355 vs. 260) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 160 more horsepower (420 vs. 260) and 183 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 17 more horsepower (277 vs. 260) and 183 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Yukon 5.3 V8 is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

	Yukon	Ascent
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.6 MPH	88.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Yukon
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
Ascent
	AWD	Limited/Touring/Onyx 2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Yukon’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Yukon has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ascent (24 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Yukon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ascent doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Yukon	Yukon	Ascent
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	16.1 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.6 inches	13 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Yukon has larger standard tires than the Ascent (265/65R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Yukon’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ascent (275/60R20 vs. 245/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Yukon offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Ascent’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Subaru Ascent only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

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

Suspension and Handling

The Yukon offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Ascent’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Ascent (120.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon is 4 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Ascent.

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ascent (10 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Yukon uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ascent doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Ascent can only carry 8.

The Yukon has 15.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ascent (168.3 vs. 153.2).

The Yukon has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom, 3.7 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.4 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room, 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2 inches more third row headroom, 3.2 inches more third row legroom, 3.5 inches more third row hip room and 5.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ascent.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Yukon	Ascent
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	17.8 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.6 cubic feet	43.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	122.9 cubic feet	75.6 cubic feet

The Yukon’s cargo area is larger than the Ascent’s in almost every dimension:

	Yukon	Ascent
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/54”/89.5”	20.3”/48”/82.9”
Max Width	49.5”	50.5”
Min Width	49.4”	45.9”
Height	36.5”	34”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon’s (not available on SLE) optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Ascent doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Yukon’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ascent’s (7700 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Subaru Ascent is only 5000 pounds. The Yukon offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Yukon 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Yukon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Ascent can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The Yukon uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ascent uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Ascent does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Yukon and the Ascent have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Yukon is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ascent prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

On a hot day the Yukon’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Yukon’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Onyx/Limited/Touring.

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

The Yukon Denali Ultimate has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Ascent.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Yukon is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Ascent because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the Ascent, including $251 less for a starter and $345 less for front struts.

Recommendations

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Subaru Ascent by 29% during 2022.