2022 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare and limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims featuring wood panels and more chrome for a modern look. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon stood out with its extensive use of chrome, especially on the Denali trim, which featured a vast, multi-dimensional grille. The Denali's front was almost entirely chrome, giving it a unique and commanding presence. The AT4 trim had a distinct look with a dark grille, skid plate, and red recovery hooks. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale color combo, adding layers and textures for a premium look. The AT4 trim had a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum details.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high performance but offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which was competitive within its class. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided a predictable driving experience but lacked engagement compared to competitors with conventional transmissions. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 277 horsepower but 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and the Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim, with its 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The Yukon featured independent rear suspension, providing better handling and a smoother ride, especially for third-row passengers. However, our test vehicle exhibited some bouncing over rutted pavement under acceleration.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V had different tailgate options, from manual to power-operated and hands-free versions. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample space for first- and second-row passengers, with significant improvements in third-row legroom, increasing from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches. Cargo space behind the third row also increased to 25.5 cubic feet. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding center console with hidden storage and power-retractable, illuminated assist steps. The pushbutton transmission controls were located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen, requiring some acclimation.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system ranged from a 180-watt system with six speakers on the Special Edition and EX trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer on the Touring trim. Charging ports were available throughout the vehicle, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center and a 15-inch multi-color head-up display on the Denali trim. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Denali trim featured a Bose 14-speaker audio system, though the sound quality was not as rich as expected. The rear-seat media system included dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Safety Alert Seat and adjustable rear camera mirror were also included. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection and three stars for rollover resistance.