GMC Yukon XL 2008-2013 Photos, engines & full specs

GMC introduced the Yukon XL at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show. It was one of the most luxurious cars in the American carmaker lineup.

The Yukon's third-generation shared its platform with the Cadillac Escalade, and GM made it to fill the gap between a large family SUV and a luxury vehicle. While the Yukon nameplate appeared for the first time in 1935 as a trim level for the Chevrolet Suburban, the vehicle became a separate lineup only in 1992. Like its predecessors, the Yukon was built on the same chassis as the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup truck, which could handle heavy loads.

GMC installed a pair of big headlights with corner-mounted turn-signals. It was the same front fascia as the rest of the Yukon lineup with a black mesh-grille and red lettering for the brand's name. Some would notice the longer wheelbase and the extended cab behind the C-pillars that made a difference from the rest of the Yukon range from its sides. In the back, the big SUV featured vertically mounted taillights on the corners and blacked-out D-pillars.

Inside, the carmaker installed three seat rows with room for up to seven passengers. A nine-passenger version was on the options list. The second and last rows were available with a power-operating folding system that led to huge trunk space. At the front, the wide bucket seats were separated by a center console with a storage compartment big enough to store the food for a coast-to-coast trip, especially since it was cooled.

Under the hood, GM installed two engine options, both V8. For the base version, the Yukon XL featured a rear-wheel-drive as standard, while for the other two, the all-wheel-drive system was fitted as standard.