GMC Yukon’s Eight-Passenger Capacity: When You Need Maximum Seating

Most three-row SUVs in the full-size segment seat seven passengers. The standard configuration typically includes front bucket seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row bench. This setup provides comfortable access to the rear and generous space for six or seven occupants. But for families in Newfoundland and Labrador who regularly transport eight people, the GMC Yukon offers an alternative: available second-row bench seating that increases total capacity to eight passengers.

Choosing between seven-passenger and eight-passenger configurations involves trade-offs in comfort, storage, and access. Understanding how each layout works, who benefits most from the extra seat, and what you sacrifice by choosing the bench helps you decide which Yukon configuration suits your household.

How the Yukon Achieves Eight-Passenger Seating

The 2025 GMC Yukon can accommodate eight passengers when equipped with a second-row bench seat instead of captain’s chairs. The bench spans the full width of the cabin, providing three seating positions in the second row. Combined with the standard front bucket seats (two passengers) and the third-row bench (three passengers), this configuration reaches eight total occupants.

The standard Yukon measures 5,367 mm in length for the standard-wheelbase model, with 1,131 mm of front legroom, 1,068 mm of second-row legroom, and 886 mm of third-row legroom. The Yukon XL extends overall length to 5,735 mm and increases third-row legroom to 933 mm, making it easier to seat adults in all three rows for longer trips.

Both the standard Yukon and Yukon XL can be equipped with the second-row bench, though availability varies by trim level. Higher trims like Denali Ultimate come standard with Executive Seating—luxury captain’s chairs with power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. For families who prioritize maximum seating over luxury features, the bench configuration provides a practical solution.

When Eight Passengers Makes Sense

The eight-passenger layout suits specific situations where transporting large groups regularly justifies the trade-offs:

Large Families

If you have five or more children, fitting everyone in one vehicle eliminates the need for a second car on family trips. The bench allows three children to sit together in the second row, keeping siblings close and making it easier to manage younger passengers.

Carpooling Parents

Families in Bay Roberts who share school drop-offs, sports team transportation, or extracurricular activities benefit from the extra seat. Instead of coordinating multiple vehicles, one parent can transport eight kids in a single trip.

Multi-Generational Households

Families who travel with grandparents, extended family, or adult children living at home gain flexibility with the additional seating position. The Yukon becomes the go-to vehicle for gatherings, reducing the need to split groups across multiple cars.

Occasional Extra Passengers

Even if you don’t need eight seats daily, having the capacity available for weekend trips, vacations, or special events provides peace of mind. The bench allows you to say yes when friends or relatives need a ride without worrying about space.

Trade-Offs: What You Give Up with the Bench

Choosing the second-row bench over captain’s chairs involves several compromises that may affect daily comfort and convenience:

• Access to the third row: Captain’s chairs typically include a tilt-and-slide mechanism that creates a clear path to the rear seats. With the bench configuration, passengers access the third row by folding the entire bench forward or climbing over it. This makes entry and exit slower and more awkward, especially for older adults or anyone with mobility concerns.
• Second-row comfort: Captain’s chairs provide individual armrests, adjustable positioning, and more personal space for each passenger. The bench forces three occupants to share the same cushion, which can feel cramped on long drives. Middle-seat passengers lose the armrests entirely and often sit slightly higher due to the floor hump.
• Storage between seats: Captain’s chairs leave a center console or open space between the second-row positions, creating room for cupholders, storage bins, and easier movement between rows. The bench eliminates this space, reducing in-cabin storage and making it harder to pass items between rows.
• Luxury features: Higher trims offer second-row captain’s chairs with advanced features like power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Bench seating configurations typically don’t include these amenities, prioritizing capacity over comfort.

Comparing Seating Configurations

The captain’s chair configuration prioritizes comfort, convenience, and premium features. The bench configuration prioritizes maximum capacity and practicality for large groups.

Which Configuration Fits Your Needs?

Deciding between seven and eight passengers depends on how often you transport full groups and whether the trade-offs in comfort matter for your household.

Choose the Eight-Passenger Bench if:

• You regularly transport seven or eight people
• You coordinate carpools for children’s activities
• You have a large family that travels together frequently
• You value seating capacity over individual comfort features

Choose the Seven-Passenger Captain’s Chairs if:

• You rarely need more than six or seven seats
• You prioritize comfort and easy third-row access
• You want luxury features like heating, ventilation, or massage
• You prefer center storage and individual space for second-row passengers

For families in Newfoundland and Labrador who occasionally need the eighth seat but prioritize daily comfort, consider whether renting a larger vehicle for rare trips makes more sense than compromising on everyday usability.

Yukon Seating and Space at a Glance

Standard Yukon

• Overall length: 5,367 mm
• Front legroom: 1,131 mm
• Second-row legroom: 1,068 mm
• Third-row legroom: 886 mm
• Maximum cargo volume: 3,480 L (with rear seats folded)

Yukon XL

• Overall length: 5,735 mm
• Front legroom: 1,131 mm
• Second-row legroom: 1,068 mm
• Third-row legroom: 933 mm
• Maximum cargo volume: 4,097 L (with rear seats folded)

Explore Yukon Seating Configurations at Woodward Motors Bay Roberts

The 2025 GMC Yukon gives you the flexibility to configure seating based on your household’s needs. Whether you need eight-passenger capacity or prefer the comfort of captain’s chairs, our team at Woodward Motors Bay Roberts in Bay Roberts, NL can walk you through the options and help you find the right setup.

Schedule a test drive today to experience both configurations firsthand.