Ford Explorer vs GMC Yukon Denali
Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.
// VERDICT
Our verdict
Buy the Ford Explorer based on your priorities for this class.
Buy the GMC Yukon Denali based on your priorities for this class.
// COST HEAD TO HEAD
Maintenance and ownership cost
| Ford Explorer | GMC Yukon Denali | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maintenance | $732 | — |
| 5-year total cost | $3,660 | — |
| Reliability score | 7 / 10 | — |
| Major repair risk (5yr) | 14% | — |
| Cargo space | 85.3 cu ft | — |
| Starting price (new) | $41,300 | — |
| Best years to buy | 2010, 2023, 2024 | — |
// RELIABILITY
Which is more reliable?
| Ford Explorer | GMC Yukon Denali | |
|---|---|---|
| RepairPal score | 7 / 10 | — |
| NHTSA complaints / 100k | 452.2 | — |
| Years to avoid | 2011, 2013, 2014 | None identified |
| Value retained · 3 yr | 72.5% | — |
| Value retained · 5 yr | 49.9% | — |
| Value retained · 7 yr | 39.6% | — |
// COMMON PROBLEMS
What breaks — and what it costs
| Ford Explorer | GMC Yukon Denali | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 14.1% | —winner |
| Electrical | 4.1% | —winner |
| ADAS | 3.3% | —winner |
| Brakes | 1.7% | —winner |
| Suspension | 2.5% | —winner |
| Steering | 22.1% | —winner |
| Fuel system | 2.8% | —winner |
| Tires/Wheels | 1.6% | —winner |
| Glass/Windows | 3.0% | —winner |
| Airbags | 2.6% | —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?
| Ford Explorer | GMC Yukon Denali | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg annual premium | $2,461 | — |
// FULL MODEL PAGES
// FAQ
Common questions
The Explorer costs $732/year to maintain — $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40% — the lowest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average, and major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% norm. Well above-average cost, but notably fewer unscheduled shop visits than class 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 →