GMC Yukon vs Toyota Grand Highlander
Two fullsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.
// VERDICT
Our verdict
Buy the GMC Yukon based on your priorities for this class.
Buy the Toyota Grand Highlander based on your priorities for this class.
// COST HEAD TO HEAD
Maintenance and ownership cost
| GMC Yukon | Toyota Grand Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maintenance | $747 | — |
| 5-year total cost | $3,735 | — |
| Reliability score | 7 / 10 | — |
| Major repair risk (5yr) | 16% | — |
| Cargo space | 122.8 cu ft | — |
| Starting price (new) | $72,000 | $41,860winner |
| Best years to buy | 2014, 2020 | — |
// RELIABILITY
Which is more reliable?
| GMC Yukon | Toyota Grand Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| RepairPal score | 7 / 10 | — |
| NHTSA complaints / 100k | 262.5 | 0winner |
| Years to avoid | 2021, 2023, 2024 | None identified |
| Value retained · 3 yr | 79% | — |
| Value retained · 5 yr | 52.4% | — |
| Value retained · 7 yr | 39.3% | — |
// COMMON PROBLEMS
What breaks — and what it costs
| GMC Yukon | Toyota Grand Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 32.6% | —winner |
| Electrical | 3.8% | —winner |
| ADAS | 4.8% | —winner |
| Brakes | 1.7% | —winner |
| Suspension | 0.6% | —winner |
| Steering | 1.4% | —winner |
| Fuel system | 1.8% | —winner |
| Tires/Wheels | 1.0% | —winner |
| Glass/Windows | 1.4% | —winner |
| Airbags | 20.2% | —winner |
One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.
// INSURANCE
Which is cheaper to insure?
| GMC Yukon | Toyota Grand Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg annual premium | $2,529 | $2,474winner |
// FULL MODEL PAGES
// FAQ
Common questions
The Yukon costs $747/year to maintain — $37 below the fullsize segment average of $784. Repair frequency of 33% is below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 7 is above the segment average of 6. Major repair probability of 16% is slightly above the 15% norm. A favorable cost and reliability profile relative to most fullsize rivals.
How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →