Usually I have to restrain myself when packing the car to go on vacation, especially since I seem to be allotted less and less space with each additional child. (I make it sound like I’ve got a whole clan; actually I only have two). Between the pack-n-play, the stroller, the kiddie backpack and all the other rubbish, there’s usually very little space left for me. But not so this weekend; as I pack for a ladies-only holiday sans kidlets, the Yukon XL allows me to indulge in a former bad habit: overpacking. Why only bring two pair of shoes when I can easily get away with four? I couldn’t possibly deprive myself of the sassy girly shoes, the comfy driving slip-ons, the sneakers … oh, and, of course, my multifunctional “flops.” Even though I only required a fraction of the accoutrement I ended up bringing, it is so much more delightful to bring it all, and I could: The Yukon’s got space. In my defense, my girlfriends were also heavily loaded with girl gear for the two-night journey. I threw all of the bags into the cargo area behind the third row, which swallowed up all our luggage with room to spare, including a complete assortment of paints, paintbrushes and canvases.
Cruising on the highway, I was surprised by how quickly the hours passed by. I admittedly love being a passenger on long-distance drives, but this time I truly enjoyed motoring along; I think the juicy chit-chat, tummy-teasing laughs, lengthy heart-to-hearts and delectable assortment of munchies had a little something to do with it. But I also know the Yukon XL is made to please, with features like a remote vehicle starter (great for chilly mornings); tri-zone A/C, which keeps the temperature truly optimal; powered, 12-way driver and passenger seats; cushy second-row captain’s chairs; a DVD player; a rearview camera; and a user-friendly navigation system. I also enjoyed the satellite radio, which created perfect ambiance for hours of travel – everyone was pleased as we worked through various musical genres from new age to techno to alternative to Broadway to the ’80s.
Once at our destination, and driving into town later that night, I (miraculously) had access to two parking spots. My two-space parking maneuver garnered some attention (hey, at least I re-parked it), and upon descending from the mammoth black Yukon XL we definitely got some interesting looks. I chose to assume it had everything to do with our being such a dazzling posse of decked-out women (a powerful imagination works wonders). Back to the parking: This car-beast is wonderful in suburbia, but once in tight alleys, look out. I opted to leave the Yukon XL parked at the hotel for the rest of our stay because it was so much easier to get around the European-esque streets in my friend’s normal-sized car.
Considering how large the Yukon XL is, I think it could use more storage space. I found the glove box and bottle holders on either side of the driver and passenger doors to be rather minimalist. I was also hard-pressed to find a good place for my sunglasses. At one point I stored them on top of the center console in a recessed shallow tray, only to find that once I opened the console, everything slid off into the rear. Not good. Also, since the cupholders in the second row are low (hard for restrained children to reach), I wished for additional cupholders on either side of the captain’s chairs. I was, however, pleased to see that the third-row passengers had access to four cupholders, plus a tray on either side (great for snacks).
Lastly, I was excited to read about the Yukon XL’s FlexFuel engine, which can run on regular gasoline or E85 (a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15% gasoline). Because E85 is made from corn, it is a renewable fuel, and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. There are about 600 ethanol stations across the United States; after a little research I learned that the closest station in my area is 23 miles away. So, although there is some effort associated with flex-fuel vehicles, I applaud GM’s effort in giving the consumer options in making greener decisions.
Upon returning the Yukon XL, I delighted in the memory of a wonderfully luxurious road trip. This vehicle puts a whole new spin on comfort and travel. As hard as it is to scale back from first class to economy, though, I do look forward to lower-maintenance parking and better maneuverability.
*For more information on the Yukon XL and its safety features, visit www.cars.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 7
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Galore
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great -Excellent
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times
