Used Vehicle Review: GMC Yukon, 1992-1999

By Jeremy Cato

A decade ago there was no boom in sport-utility vehicles. None. So in 1992, when GMC introduced a new version of the large Yukon ute, only a relative handful of people paid much attention.

They were hard core enthusiasts who cared about towing capacity and interior room in a giant four-by-four. In other words, the Yukon was and remains a vehicle for those who don’t want to follow the crowd, and often like to avoid it altogether.

GMC’s parent company, General Motors Corp., unveiled a completely revamped version of the Yukon for the 2000 model year. The 2000-and-newer Yukon (and the luxurious Denali version) is greatly superior to the 1992-1999 model.

That’s not to say that GMC didn’t make improvements year-by-year during the 1990s. But it is to say that the evolutionary changes which arrived for 2000 noticeably upgraded powertrain performance, ride, handling and creature comforts.

For the used truck buyer, however, an older Yukon is nothing more and nothing less than a serious 4×4 sport/utility vehicle that is among the largest in its class – and that large size translates into the sort of towing capacity suitable for owners of large boats, travel trailers, horse boxes and the like. The Yukon will tow 7,000 lbs (2,175 kilograms) if the load is properly distributed.

Engine choices include two versions of GM’s 5.7-litre V8 (200-210 horsepower for 1992-1995 and 250-255 horsepower for 1996-1999). A 6.5-litre turbo diesel rated at 180 hp and 360 ft.-lbs. of torque was introduced in 1994. The gas engines are pretty thirsty and the turbo diesel is noisy and not terribly refined.

The Yukon is in essence a shortened version of GM’s Suburban. From 1992 to 1994 it was available only with two doors; the four-door version was launched in 1995. For a time Chevrolet sold a version called the K-Blazer.

The quality of these trucks during the 1990s would have to be rated below average. Numerous safety recalls and a wide range of noteworthy technical service bulletins attest to that.

In particular, used buyers should pay attention to the transmission woes highlighted under “Buyer’s Alerts.” As for prices, they haven’t held up particularly well over the years. A four-year-old Yukon holds only about 57 per cent of its original sticker.

The 1992 update produced a Yukon exterior design what was much more aerodynamic, although there are always limits to what designers can do with a truck created more for utility than beauty. Still, the door glass of the 1992-1999 Yukon is nearly flush, reducing wind noise.

On the highway and around town in commuter traffic this Yukon is manoeuvrable for a huge truck. The two-door’s ride is more choppy than the four-door. The over-assisted power steering is precise but lacks any feel for the driver. Cornering grip is pretty good and the braking is strong, although there’s lots of nosedive. Standard anti-lock braking is a bonus. Fuel consumption isn’t.

The standard four-wheel-drive system allows for better traction in slippery conditions on- or off-road. In the case of the Yukon, the four-wheel-system is GM’s Insta-track which is controlled by a single floor-mounted lever. Shift on the fly is possible and there are no wheel hubs to lock. Two-door models became available with two-wheel drive for 1996.

Speaking of four-wheel drive, the “state-of-the-art” AutoTrac all-wheel-drive system was new for 1999. This automatic four-wheel-drive technology includes a four-wheel front axle actuator which engages/disengages the front axle electronically, and decreases engagement/disengagement time to two seconds or less. Point is, older Yukons have a less sophisticated four-wheel system than more recent ones.

Some other dates in Yukon history worth noting for the used buyer:

• 1993 – electronic automatic transmission introduced.

• 1995 – a standard driver-side air bag arrives, along with a redesigned instrument panel. The latter was a big move because the previous one was filled with awkward controls and smallish knobs and buttons.

• 1997 – a standard passenger-side air bag, speed-sensitive steering and improved turning radius for four-wheel-drive models highlight the important changes.
• 1999 – the uplevel Yukon Denali hits showrooms.

A last few words. During the 1990s the Yukon was mostly a niche vehicle aimed at people who wanted a well-equipped truck capable of towing seriously big loads and driving off into the bush. Today, a four-wheel-drive Yukon starts at more than $46,000. Compare that to the $21,450 price of the 1992 Yukon.

Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy.