2025 GMC Yukon XL vs 2026 Acura MDX

$69,900 · SUV

$51,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between massive presence and efficient refinement can be tough, and that's exactly the choice facing shoppers comparing the 2025 GMC Yukon XL and the 2026 Acura MDX. If maximum space is your priority, the Yukon XL dominates with a substantial length of 225.2 inches and offers a cavernous 41.5 cu ft of cargo capacity. However, this size comes at a cost; the Yukon XL nets a combined 17 MPG, lagging behind the MDX's 22 MPG combined. Power seekers will notice the 65-hp advantage held by the GMC, boasting 355 hp versus the Acura's 290 hp. Crucially, the price gap is wide, with the Yukon XL starting at $69,900, making the $51,800 Acura MDX a significantly more approachable purchase upfront. This comparison boils down to raw capability versus smarter, smaller ownership costs.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Acura MDX

The 2026 Acura MDX wins for commuters due to its superior 22 MPG combined fuel economy, requiring fewer trips to the pump compared to the Yukon XL's 17 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 GMC Yukon XL

The 2025 GMC Yukon XL is the clear family choice because its 41.5 cu ft of cargo capacity dwarfs the MDX's 18.1 cu ft, offering vastly more room for gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 GMC Yukon XL

Enthusiasts seeking brute force will prefer the Yukon XL's higher output of 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX presents better value by costing $18,100 less, achieving better efficiency despite requiring premium fuel.

Choose the GMC Yukon XL if...

You absolutely require the massive space afforded by its 225.2-inch length and 41.5 cu ft cargo area.
You need the extra raw power provided by its 355 hp engine for heavy towing or hauling.
You prefer running on regular unleaded gasoline rather than premium fuel.

Choose the Acura MDX if...

Your budget is capped closer to the $51,800 mark, significantly undercutting the $69,900 Yukon XL.
Maximizing miles per gallon is crucial, as the MDX achieves 22 MPG combined versus 17 MPG.
You prefer the handling characteristics of a smaller vehicle that is 16.8 inches shorter in length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Yukon XL	Acura MDX
Length	225.2"	198.4"
Width	81.0"	78.7"
Height	76.5"	67.9"
Wheelbase	134.0"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	Acura
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Acura
Base Engine Displacement	5.3 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm	267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Overhead valves (OHV)	Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	GMC	Acura
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	front wheel drive
Rear Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Acura
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/20 MPG	19/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	420.0/560.0 mi.	351.5/481.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	28.0 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	Acura
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Automatic Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Acura
Infotainment Display	16.8 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	10	11
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Surround Audio	Discrete	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓

Power Feature

Feature	GMC	Acura
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Acura
Front Head Room	42.3 in.	38.5 in.
Front Leg Room	44.5 in.	41.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room	65.5 in.	61.9 in.
Front Hip Room	61.5 in.	59.3 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Acura
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.0 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	64.7 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	61.3 in.	57.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Power Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Acura
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	20 x 9.0 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	275/60R20	255/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Non-Matching	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	GMC	Acura
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	GMC	Acura
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 GMC Yukon XL and 2026 Acura MDX.

Is the 2025 GMC Yukon XL too big for standard parking garages?

Given its significant dimensions—76.5 inches in height and 81.0 inches in width—the Yukon XL might struggle in height-restricted garages, although its 225.2-inch length might be the bigger issue for maneuverability.

How much more power does the Yukon XL actually have over the MDX?

The GMC Yukon XL offers substantially more power, coming in at 355 hp compared to the Acura MDX's 290 hp, translating to a 65 hp advantage for the larger SUV.

Does the Acura MDX's use of premium fuel offset its better MPG?

While the MDX gets better mileage (22 MPG combined), the fuel type difference must be factored in; if premium gas costs significantly more than the regular unleaded used by the Yukon XL, the fuel savings might be smaller than the 5 MPG difference suggests.