carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $60,333–$80,123 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.8/10, while Technology at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.6/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.8/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.3/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $60,333–$80,123, 14 MPG, seating 8, the GMC Yukon XL sits in the premium tier of the suv category. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 GMC Yukon XL sits in the middle of the field. Until its technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $60,333 starting price is about 67% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 GMC Yukon XL scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.3 — and starts roughly $6,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $68,289 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $68,289 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.2/10 | $66,300 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $64,311 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $62,322 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $60,333 | |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $58,344 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $56,355 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $54,366 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $52,377 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.9/10 | $50,388 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $48,399 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Steering / Steering control module 17/06/2021 · 21V455000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. |
|---|---|
| Power train / Driveline / Driveshaft 27/01/2022 · 22V036000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated… |
| Seat belts 17/12/2020 · 20V792000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt… |
| Seat belts 23/12/2020 · 20V811000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500,… |
| Seats 25/11/2020 · 20V735000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been… |
Showing 5 of 12 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2021 GMC Yukon XL's reliability 7.6/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
12 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL starts at $60,333 and ranges up to $80,123 across trims (MSRP when new). At 14 MPG, expect roughly $3,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of GMC models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.