Performance Though the redesign is more evolutionary than revolutionary, the 2000s do erase some weak points of the previous generation Tahoe/Yukon and Suburban/Yukon XL.
   
   Despite higher horsepower ratings, the new V8s don't feel much stronger than the engine they replace, primarily because they don't offer as much low-speed pulling power. Aided by the transmission's smooth, astute shifting, acceleration is nonetheless adequate, even with a full complement of passengers and cargo. Maximum towing capacity is 9000 pounds on Yukon, 10,500 on Yukon XL. We haven't had an opportunity to measure fuel economy, but GM says the new engines should be slightly more economical than the one they replace; previous 4x4 versions averaged about 14.0 mpg in our tests.
   
   Handling is better than their size might imply, but they don't corner like cars. They feel balanced in changes of direction, and with a turning radius reduced by 7 inches on Yukon and by 2.4 feet on Yukon XL, they're fairly easy to maneuver. Steering is reasonably precise and road feel adequate, but at lower speeds, the speed-variable assist makes the steering too light for some tastes.
   
   The biggest improvements come in ride quality and brake feel. The redesigned suspension absorbs bumps well and is more sure-footed on rough pavement than the previous design. And strong stopping power with firm, progressive pedal action replaces mediocre brakes with a mushy pedal feel. Wind rush is noticeable though not intrusive. Tire noise is low for full-size SUVs, but still audible at highway speeds. Engines are throaty but refined-sounding under hard acceleration.
   
   Accommodations Interiors are revised, but not radically. The new dashboard layout provides clear sightlines to gauges along with easily accessed controls. The driver gets a commanding view of the road, while outward visibility and cargo room improve with the relocation of the spare tire from the wall of the cargo bay to beneath the rear undercarriage.
   
   Room in front is generous, even for the largest of occupants, while seats are more comfortable and more substantial-feeling than before. Second-row seating is similarly spacious; Yukon gains 2.4 inches of rear leg room and Yukon XL gains 3. The difference between Yukon and the longer Yukon XL is most obvious in the third-row seats, where Yukon XL has ample head, shoulder, and leg room for two grownups. Leg and head clearance in the Yukon third-row seat is practical only for children or occasional adult use. Modest door openings hamper rear ingress and egress somewhat. This is most evident on Yukon, where the openings are several inches smaller at the bottom than on Yukon XL. Step-in is lower than on Expedition and Excursion, but higher than a typical minivan. Running boards are an option we recommend.
   
   There's nearly 46 cubic feet of storage space behind the third-row seat in Yukon XL, but only enough room for a single row of grocery bags behind the optional third-row seat in Yukons. However, Yukon's third-row seat is split 50/50, which provides for slightly more versatility than the one-piece bench in Yukon XL. The third-row seats on both models fold easily. They also remove, aided by roller wheels and safety belts mounted to the seat-frame rather than vehicle frame. Still, hoisting Yukon XL's heavy bench in or out is a 2-person operation. Yukon's third-row seat removes in two 40-pound sections, making it more manageable. In either, cargo room is expansive with rear seats folded or removed.
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