2008 GMC Yukon Review: Way Too Expensive, and Not Even the Best in Class

The 2008 GMC Yukon is outclassed by the Nissan Armada for longevity, it’s outgunned by the Ford Expedition for towing capacity, and, at $10,000 to $12,000, it typically lists for as much as both of those SUVs combined. It’s a fine SUV, but whoever set those prices needs to join us in the real world.

Is the 2008 GMC Yukon a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2008 Yukon really is an excellent SUV, it just costs twice what it’s worth.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – One of the most comfortable SUVs on the road, it just leans into corners a little too hard thanks to the super-soft suspension.
• Reliability 8/10 – With good maintenance, the Yukon should have no problem making a quarter million miles.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2008 Yukon comes with generous standard safety features and solid crash test scores.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – Three trim levels and none of them can get more than 20 miles to the gallon on the highway. It’s a 2008 full-size SUV, what do you expect? A hybrid model is available, but the traction battery will be long expired by now.
• Value 5/10 – $10,000 for a 15+ year old SUV that can’t even out-tow its nearest competitors just doesn’t make any sense.

What Do Critics Say About the 2008 GMC Yukon?

Consumer Reports found the GMC Yukon surprisingly agile with strong braking power, a smooth ride, solid interior quality, and excellent towing power. Poor fuel economy was their only major criticism of the vehicle, but that’s to be expected in a full-size SUV.

Kelley Blue Book liked the hybrid models, they liked the solid performance, and they like the handling of the Yukon/Tahoe. They note that the vehicle is pricey, especially the hybrid models.

Edmunds liked the high-end cabin, they found the ride to be very comfortable, they liked the smooth-riding powertrain, and they liked how the SUV offered comfortable seating for nine people. The lack of a folding third-row earned a red mark, as did “overly soft suspension” making for wobbly handling on sharp corners.

What Common Problems Does the 2008 GMC Yukon Have?

The 2008 GMC Yukon has generated 404 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around half of these are for the airbags, with drivers reporting being put on long waiting lists for replacement parts related to a pair of airbag recalls in early 2021.

61 electrical complaints point to a range of issues with lighting, wiring, and latches, with the most worrying being electrical fires on the front passenger side of the SUV. One driver reports this having to do with an overheated washer fluid system. Two recalls for the matter were issued in 2008 and 2010.

Cracking dashboards are a fairly common issue with the Yukon, specifically in the area covering the airbag, which may be worrying, especially if you’re waiting on recall parts.

The 2008 GMC Yukon has been recalled 4 times in total, which is within the median for an SUV this old.

How Long Will the 2008 GMC Yukon Last?

Drivers typically report the 2008 GMC Yukon lasting around 250,000 miles with good maintenance. The SUV is a trooper and can handle a lot of rough mileage, but you’ll want to shop around for a model in good condition if you want to hit that quarter million.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $584, which isn’t bad for a full-size SUV. New oil pumps make up the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $1,106.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment features in the 2008 GMC Yukon are good for the model year. CD/MP3 players with 8 speakers come standard, and you can upgrade that to a 10-speaker Bose sound system.

Safety tech in the 2008 Yukon is solid. You’ve got anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak plus occupant sensing airbags. It’s hardly cutting edge for the model year, but it doesn’t come up short of what you expect to find in a 2008 SUV, either.

Is the 2008 GMC Yukon a Good Value?

The 2008 GMC Yukon is not a great value. The SLE model typically sells for around $9,468, while a Denali lists at around $11,490. These prices are pretty high for a vehicle that’s old enough to get its license and drive itself, especially when you add in the steep gas prices that come with driving a 2008 full-size SUV.

In all fairness, at these prices you’re getting a model in good condition with 150,000 miles on the odometer, leaving you with another 100,000 to go, if you take good care of it. But if you’re going to spend twelve thousand bucks on a 15+ year old SUV, you might as well make a big down payment on a new vehicle.

What are the Different Models of the 2008 GMC Yukon?

The 2008 GMC Yukon is available in three trim levels, from the SLE to the high-end Denali:

With the base SLE you’re getting:

• Anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak
• Remote keyless entry
• Heated mirrors
• Premium cloth seating
• Tri-zone manual air conditioning
• CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers

The mid-range SLT adds:

• Automatic air conditioning
• Leather seating
• UltraSonic parking assist

In a top-of-the-line Denali you’re adding:

• 10 Bose speakers
• Heated front seats
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

What Engines Come In the 2008 GMC Yukon?

• In the SLE model you’re getting a 4.8L V8 engine delivering 305 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in four wheel drive, and it averages 14/19 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The 4.8L can tow up to 4,500 pounds.
• The SLT packs a 5.3L Vortec V8 delivering 320 horsepower and 340 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in four wheel drive, and it averages 14/20 miles to the gallon.
• Denali models come with a 6.2L V8 delivering 380 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in four wheel drive, and it can tow up to 8,000 pounds, depending on your options. The Denali averages 12/19 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2008 GMC Yukon Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2008 GMC Yukon?

The 2008 GMC Yukon is incredibly comfortable, with seating for nine people, 64 inches of hip room, a spacious, first-class cabin, and smooth suspension. Some drivers may find that the suspension is a little too soft, leaning too hard on sharp turns. But this is pretty much the only issue anyone seems to have.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 GMC Yukon Have?

The 2008 Yukon offers 17 cubic feet of cargo to start out with, 60 with the middle row folded flat, and 109 with the third row taken out. This is enough space to operate as a moving van. But, the third row can’t be folded, it has to be removed entirely.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2008 was the second model year for the GMC Yukon’s 3rd Generation, which ran from 2007 to 2014.

2006: 2005 saw a bunch of minor modifications to make the Yukon more aerodynamic, so changes for 2006 were minimal.

2007: A bigger cabin and a more powerful 5.3L V8 engine were the big changes for the third generation relaunch.

2008: No big changes, but they added more standard airbags, and OnStar navigation.

2009: The Yukon is slightly more powerful and slightly more efficient for 2009.

2010: The 5.3L engine was made standard on all models but the Denali for 2010.

How Does the 2008 GMC Yukon Compare to the Competition?

The Nissan Armada might be the most practical option if you’re looking for a full-size 2008 SUV. It performs about as well as a Yukon, only coming up a bit shy of the Denali in the towing department, and it lists for about half the price.

If you want a big American-made utility vehicle, the 2008 Ford Expedition can tow up to a thousand pounds more than the Yukon, and for about five thousand dollars cheaper at the entry level.

The Yukon is a comfortable, capable SUV, but it makes no sense to spend twelve grand on 15+ year old vehicle, especially when its competitors are just as good, or better, at half the price.

Do Owners Recommend the 2008 GMC Yukon?