Compare the2026 GMC YukonVS 2025 Hyundai Palisade

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

Safety

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The Yukon 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 Palisade doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Yukon Ultimate helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Palisade doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The GMC Yukon’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Hyundai Palisade does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Yukon and the Palisade 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

The GMC Yukon weighs 1096 to 1773 pounds more than the Hyundai Palisade. 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 Hyundai Palisade:

	Yukon	Palisade
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	257	333
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	395/197 lbs.	351/306 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 Hyundai Palisade:

	Yukon	Palisade
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	97 lbs.	113 lbs.
Hip Force	139 lbs.	303 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	189
Spine Acceleration	25 G’s	36 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	213	223
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	634 lbs.	724 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are almost 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Hyundai 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 Palisade’s 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

Engine

The Yukon’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 64 more horsepower (355 vs. 291) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 262) than the Palisade’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 129 more horsepower (420 vs. 291) and 198 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 262) than the Palisade’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 14 more horsepower (305 vs. 291) and 233 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 262) than the Palisade’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the GMC Yukon 6.2 V8 is faster than the Hyundai Palisade:

	Yukon	Palisade
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.2 sec	17.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Yukon
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/24 hwy
Palisade
	FWD	3.8 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.8 DOHC V6	19 city/24 hwy

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

The Yukon has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade (24 vs. 18.8 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 Palisade doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Yukon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Palisade.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Yukon	Yukon	Palisade
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	16.1 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.6 inches	12 inches

The Yukon’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Palisade are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Yukon has larger standard tires than the Palisade (275/60R20 vs. 245/60R18). The Yukon Denali’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Palisade (285/40R24 vs. 245/60R18).

The Yukon Denali’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Palisade’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Yukon has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Palisade. The Yukon Denali’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Palisade.

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Palisade 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 Palisade 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 Palisade; 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 Palisade’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Palisade (120.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than on the Palisade.

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Ultimate Air Ride has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Palisade (10 vs. 7.9 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 Palisade doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Yukon has 13 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Palisade (168.3 vs. 155.3).

The Yukon has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear hip room, 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 3.5 inches more third row legroom, 5.7 inches more third row hip room and 7.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Palisade.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Yukon	Palisade
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	18 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.5 cubic feet	45.8 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	122.8 cubic feet	86.4 cubic feet

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

	Yukon	Palisade
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/54”/89.5”	20.8”/49”/82.5”
Max Width	49.5”	53.7”
Min Width	49.4”	43.4”
Height	36.5”	30.5”

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Yukon. The Palisade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Palisade’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Palisade 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 Palisade can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Yukon is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Palisade. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

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 Palisade does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 Palisade’s standard power windows’ 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 Palisade can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Yukon’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Palisade doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Bluelink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Yukon’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Palisade doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 Palisade SE/SEL/XRT’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the GMC Yukon and Hyundai Palisade offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Yukon features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Palisade’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Yukon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Night.

Both the Yukon and the Palisade offer available massaging front seats. The Yukon Denali Ultimate also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Palisade.

The GMC Yukon has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Hyundai charges extra for Homelink® on the Palisade.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Yukon has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Night offers wireless charging.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Palisade because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the Palisade, including $53 less for front brake pads, $94 less for a starter, $18 less for fuel injection, $75 less for front struts and $630 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon third among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Palisade isn’t in the top three in its category.

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