How safe is the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD?
Drivers of the 2017–2020 GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD died at a rate of 11 per million registered vehicle years, 67% lower than the average of 38 for all vehicles. That makes it safer than most vehicles for its driver: it ranks 29th of 127 vehicles, safer than 78% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
This is the most recent IIHS data for this model, covering 2017–2020 models. It doesn't appear in the newer 2023 study, often because it was redesigned or discontinued.
Where the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD sits among all 127 vehicles
GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 38
The rate is based on plenty of data, so this ranking is reliable.
Vehicles ranked near the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Chevrolet TahoeSUV · Large | 11 | 80 |
| 27 | Nissan PathfinderSUV · Midsize | 10 | 79 |
| 28 | Audi A4Luxury car · Midsize | 11 | 79 |
| 29 | GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WDSUV · Very large | 11 | 78 |
| 30 | Toyota Tundra Double Cab short bed 4WDPickup · Large | 12 | 77 |
| 31 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedanLuxury car · Midsize | 13 | 76 |
| 32 | Jeep Grand CherokeeSUV · Midsize | 14 | 75 |
How it compares with other SUVs
Among the 37 SUVs ranked, the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD is 10th. The safest SUVs are below. See all SUVs.
| SUVs rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota C-HRSUV · Small | 2 | 99 |
| 2 | Nissan MuranoSUV · Midsize | 6 | 90 |
| 3 | Subaru AscentSUV · Midsize | 6 | 90 |
| 4 | Ford EdgeSUV · Midsize | 8 | 85 |
| 5 | Chevrolet TraverseSUV · Midsize | 9 | 83 |
| 10 | GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WDSUV · Very large | 11 | 78 |
Common questions
Is the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD is safer than most vehicles for its driver. Its driver death rate of 11 per million registered vehicle years is 67% lower than the average, and it ranks 29th of 127 vehicles across all classes.
How does the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD compare with other SUVs?
It ranks 10th of 37 SUVs. The safest is the Toyota C-HR, with a rate of 2.
Why is this different from the GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.