2022 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its rather generic appearance, blending seamlessly with the multitude of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was characterized by a similar "daylight opening" shape to its competitors, making it difficult to distinguish from other vehicles in its class. While the CR-V did feature some unique elements, such as its grille and chromed plastic accents, these were not significant enough to make it a standout choice based on aesthetics alone. The colour palette offered by Honda was somewhat limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, making it challenging to find more vibrant options like Radiant Red.

Inside, the CR-V presented a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that varied by trim level. While the interior was functional and comfortable, it lacked the distinctive styling found in some of its competitors, such as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V's interior was practical, but those seeking a more visually striking vehicle might have found other options more appealing.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon made a bold statement with its extensive use of chrome, particularly in the Denali trim, which featured a massive chrome grille that commanded attention. The Yukon aimed to stand out among large SUVs by embracing a premium look, with chrome accents enhancing its presence. The Denali's front end, with its C-shaped headlights and industrial-sized grille, gave it a unique and commanding appearance, while the AT4 trim offered a rugged look with its dark grille and skid plate.

Inside, the Yukon provided a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin, accommodating up to eight passengers comfortably. The Denali trim offered exclusive interior designs, such as the Teak/Light Shale colour combination, adding a touch of luxury with contrasting colours and natural wood details. The AT4 trim featured a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents, creating a custom look. The Yukon's interior was designed to provide comfort and style, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a full-size luxury SUV with a distinctive appearance.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-performance thrills but rather for smooth and steady driving. It featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, providing adequate acceleration for highway merging and predictable cornering. The CR-V's acceleration to 100 kilometres per hour was around 8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. All trims shared the same continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized efficiency over driving engagement. While the CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, all-wheel drive was available on higher trims, aligning with most competitors in its segment.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon offered a range of powerful engine options, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-litre V8 producing 420 horsepower. The Yukon also introduced a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing excellent fuel efficiency and towing capabilities. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth power delivery. The Yukon offered both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options, with the latter being standard on the AT4 and Denali trims. The Yukon's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, making it a strong contender for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's cargo area was accessible through various tailgate options, including a hands-free power tailgate on higher trims. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 GMC Yukon excelled in providing generous interior space, particularly in the third row, which saw a significant increase in legroom. The Yukon's redesign improved third-row accessibility and comfort, while cargo space behind the third row expanded to 722 litres. The vehicle's longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension contributed to the increased space. The Yukon offered power-folding second-row seats and a power-sliding centre console, adding convenience and versatility to its interior layout.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims offered enhanced audio systems, including a 300-watt setup with a subwoofer. The CR-V provided multiple charging ports throughout the cabin, with wireless phone charging available on the Touring trim. However, satellite navigation was limited to the top trims.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre and a 15-inch head-up display, providing essential information in a convenient location. The Yukon's infotainment system included a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali trim offered a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens, enhancing entertainment options for rear passengers.

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 advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. These features were standard across all trims, making the CR-V a strong choice for safety-conscious buyers.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with the GMC Pro Safety suite, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The Pro Safety Plus package added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong scores in side crash protection. However, it had not been tested by the IIHS at the time of writing.