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Poll: Does The GMC Yukon Now Need A Split Liftgate

There’s a slowly growing trend in the world of premium SUVs, especially the big ones. More upscale SUVs are adopting a split liftgate design, including the Lincoln Navigator, a close rival to the upper trims of the GMC Yukon.

The SUV that kicked off the split liftgate trend was the Land Rover Range Rover, a feature that dates back to 1970. The split liftgate became more widespread when the first BMW X5, based on the Range Rover at the time, came out for the 2000 model year. When the bigger BMW X7 came out for 2019, it had a split liftgate design similar to the X5.

 

The new 2025 Lincoln Navigator was recently unveiled, coincidentally timed for the same model year as the latest GMC Yukon facelift. One of the most notable new features of the Navigator is a split liftgate not unlike the one on the BMW X7. Our friends at Ford Authority exclusively reported earlier this year that the Ford Expedition will also feature a split liftgate.

The split liftgate has many advantages. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that it prevents items from rolling out onto the pavement or garage floor when you open the liftgate. You can simply open the top half of the liftgate and reach into the cargo area to access your stuff. For a larger cargo opening, you can open the top and bottom half, creating a lower load height and making it easier to load and unload bulky items.

BMW X7 split liftgate.

Another advantage is a nice sitting area on the bottom half of the liftgate, similar to a pickup truck’s tailgate. Additionally, the smaller top half means it can open all the way without needing to worry about a high clearance.

However, there’s one notable drawback of the split liftgate. When the bottom half is open, it creates more space between you and the cargo area. This can make it difficult to reach items all the way in the back of the cargo area, especially for shorter drivers. With a traditional one-piece liftgate, you can walk right up to the edge of the cargo area for easy access.

GMC Yukon XL cargo area.

 

Now that one of the top rivals of the GMC Yukon has a split liftgate, it raises the question: do you want to see a split liftgate design come to the GMC Yukon? Let us know in our poll, and explain why you voted how you did in the comments.

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George is an automotive journalist with soft spots for classic GM muscle cars, Corvettes, and Geo.

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Comments

  1. At least have the glass able to open independently. The station wagon tailgate with glass lowering in to door and that opened two was was the best idea.

    Reply
    1. The glass does open separately.

      Reply
  2. Escalade should do it Yukon doesn’t need it

    Reply
  3. All this will do is make it harder to reach objects that are in the cargo area. No reason to add the extra BS.

    Reply
  4. GM used to have a split gate like that. Back on the GMT-400 full size SUVs. The alternate was the barn doors. GMT-800 they went to the one piece (barn doors were still available as well).

    I would say they should stick with the one piece. My whys? One piece allows for minivan style access to the back end, it still allows for them to have the opening glass, and it would be quieter long term. The quiet aspect, think about how they changed from the rear opening extended cab doors to the double cab design, the old extended cab doors were noisy. You pull into a driveway and as the doors would rub and squak as the cab flexed.

    If the rear hatch were two split doors it would enter in an NVH point and you’d end up with customers complaining of rubbing or squaking or chaffing from the rear hatch.

    Reply
  5. All these huge gas hogs don’t need anything but a diet.

    Reply
    1. Oh go drink your double latte in your Preis

      Reply
      1. Prius?

        Reply
  6. No. We don’t need a split tailgate. Some trends are stupid…this is one of them. A feature should almost never be added because it’s trendy to do so. Only features that actually improve the overall product and make a real, practical difference without drawbacks are ones that are worth adding.

    Reply
  7. I’d rather see the double doors come back like on the “old” Suburbans.

    Reply
    1. Our 1999 Yukon 4 dr had the barn doors. We loved them… and the cost of the vehicle, too. Our LS was nicely equipped and listed a bit over 36K. It was the wife’s Mon-Fri commuter and my weekend hauler for big model aircraft and to tow my utility trailer. God, how I miss it. We sold it for no good reason in 2007 when it had 138K miles.

      Reply
  8. I recently bought a 24 Yukon XL. Last had one in the late 90’s with barn doors. Wish they were still available. I like the idea of the split tailgate, and with some clever engineering perhaps a 3way tailgate (traditional lift, split lift, left/right hinged).

    Reply
    1. Barn doors were available in the GMT800s. Have seen them on some GMC Suburbans/Yukon Xls and regular Suburbans here in Qatar.

      Reply
  9. I think it would be a good option as long as u can order either way.R they going back to a colume shifter.Thats what I would like to know that’s what’s keeping me back from trading in my old one for a new one.Long time GMC customer.Tks

    Reply
    1. The 2025 does have a column shifter. That is one of the reasons I bought a 2024.

      Reply
  10. Leave it the way it is…. Although going back to the barn door option would be ok….. I like the barn doors on our 2000 Yukon.

    Reply
  11. If they put it on the Escalade it will really be a hearse , keep the bodies from rolling out!

    Reply
  12. Why would anyone actively want a feature that puts the cargo area FURTHER away and out of reach, especially with the rear seats folded down?

    Makes zero sense and really has no practical purposes. If you want a tailgate, get a truck. It will be stronger and longer, and you’re often times climbing up in the bed anyway.

    However, I agree with some of the other comments that bringing back some sort of barn doors would be useful and cool. Gives more tie-down and cargo management options.

    Reply
  13. The benefit of a sitting surface is quite appealing to me but also appreciate the impediment to deep cargo access it presents. Then again the reach difference would be no different than if I compared a regular length to an XL.

    Having fewer mating surfaces I suppose would also add to overall strength and body integrity yielding less noise(s). I would prefer not to have a sun roof for this same reason.

    For me, a retractable sitting surface like accessory would be great. I’d use it for changing shoes or a simple picnic without having to unload much stuff to make a bit of room.

    As a side note: I will be ordering a 2025 Denali LZ0 and am so far disappointed expecting that I cannot have power side steps without the sun roof or delete the rear entertainment system.

    Reply
  14. The split liftgate is great for tailgating. It also provides a place to sit.

    Reply
  15. I sit on the bed of my 24 Yukon while changing into golf shoes. The rear hatch provides cover in case of rain. The current hatch works well . What would the additional cost be or is a split lift gate a smart return on my investment. I don’t think so.

    Reply
  16. YES, SPLIT Tailgate. Ill buy it then and only then!

    Reply
  17. Never mind all these useless improvements I have the net and a bungee across my tailgate. It does the same thing. Bring Back the Yukon Denali 2500 and front tow Hooks so we can pull heavy Trailers and boats. And the tow hooks for when we need to be pulled up a slippery boat ramp or out of the sand. Also a way to put the truck in Neutral when the battery dies or it breaks down. No one has 30 foot jumper cables

    Reply
  18. Make it an option that customers have to pay for . Facts tell all.

    Reply
  19. My ’79 Cutlass wagon and my ’83 Malibu wagon each had it. I once drove home with it open, carrying an extended load of home insulation rolls.

    Reply
  20. Why do people insist on saying the Yukon Denali is a competitor to the Navigator? It is not. It’s in line with the Expedition Platinum. Even in price. Navigator is Escalade’s and Grand Wagoneer’s competitors.

    Reply
  21. Split lift gate, like the Chevy Astro Van, of 20 years ago.

    Reply
  22. A place to sit, a table for numerous tasks, etc. This feature was loved by the Land Cruiser crowd. New features bring new customers!

    Reply

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