The GMC Yukon has a unique place in American culture. Like its Chevy Suburban and Tahoe platform-mates, it’s a hard-working full-size SUV regularly seen towing heavy loads and toting large families. But, like its Cadillac Escalade cousin, it adds a dash of luxury to the equation.
GMC advertises itself as the “professional grade” marque of General Motors. But the Yukon does more than drive and tow like a pro. It does it with style.
For 2025, GM has updated its entire family of oversized haulers. The Suburban and Tahoe went first, getting blockier looks and more tech-heavy cabins. The Escalade followed, getting a dressier cabin so technology-forward it now showcases a 55-inch (diagonal) screen for a dashboard.
Now, the Yukon comes last. Presumably, it had to finish up at a jobsite and change into a suit before heading in for its makeover. That’s kind of its vibe.
The makeover involves a revised look, new cabin tech, and a new trim lineup with a pair of more opulent options.
This isn’t a redesign from the wheels up. It’s what the auto industry calls a “mid-cycle refresh” – an update to styling and features halfway through a model’s production run. GMC hasn’t made pricing available yet. The 2024 model starts at $61,190, including a $1,995 freight charge. But prices for fully equipped luxury models cross into the low six figures.
Two Ultimate Models
The biggest change may be an update to the trim lineup.
The entry-level SLE and slightly-more-upscale SLT trims have disappeared, replaced by a single base trim called Elevation.
The fancy Denali trim returns, as does an even-more-upscale Denali Ultimate. But it’s no longer the only ultimate, despite what the definitions of words would have you believe. There are now two.
The off-road-oriented AT4 returns. But it’s now accompanied by an AT4 Ultimate. It carries most of the trail-worthy goodies of the AT4 but adds luxury touches from the Denali line. Want a front skid plate, adaptive air suspension, and full-grain leather seating with Ash Burl wood accents? The AT4 Ultimate is for you.
Toned-Down, Sophisticated Exterior Updates
As you’d expect with a refresh, the 2025 Yukon’s silhouette is largely the same as the 2024 model’s. But, turn on the lights, and the visual details have changed.
Each trim level now gets its own grille design. None of them are as chrome-heavy as the grille of the 2024 version, giving the big bruiser a more sophisticated look. New bumper designs front and rear have been toned-down a bit, too, though off-road AT4 editions get a more visible front skid plate. Smaller LED headlights remain surrounded by bracket daytime running lights.
In back, new squared exhaust pipes are a subtle change.
But that’s not our favorite subtlety. Denali models get a GMC logo up front that, on close examination, hides a topographic map of their namesake mountain.
New Cabin Tech
A big vehicle deserves a big screen. The 2025 Yukon gets the prominent 16.8-inch portrait-mounted central touchscreen from the GMC Sierra.
It runs on Google’s Android system, so Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant voice-control systems are standard. Optionally, second-row passengers can have their own 8-inch screen for climate control.
If you’re going to carry clients in your second row, though, you might want to opt for the Executive Seating package. It adds heated, ventilated, massaging captain’s chairs to the second row.
Denali Ultimate editions get a 22-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system with headrest speakers for the first two rows.
Stronger Diesel, Some Safety Updates
2025 Yukon buyers get the same three engine choices as 2024 buyers. If you want to stop at the regular pumps, there’s a 5.3-liter V8 or a 6.2-liter V8. Those are unchanged.
If you prefer the diesel pump, there’s still a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo inline-6. Its power has been boosted from 277 horsepower to 305 and from 460 lb-ft of torque to 495.
All three engines still send power through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Safety updates include an optional Night Vision system that uses thermal object detection to identify pedestrians and animals, projecting warnings into the head-up display. Automated safety aids now include a bicyclist detection system that works to the sides as well as the front.
GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is still available and trailer capable.
Those who use their Yukon to tow will also appreciate transparent trailer view, which lets you mount a camera on your trailer to see behind it, and a trailer reverse trajectory guide.
GMC says the new Yukon will reach dealerships by the end of 2024.
