Now that GM has completely revealed the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Suburban, it will turn its attention to the GMC variants – the next-gen 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. The GMC versions will be revealed on Tuesday, January 14th in the mountain town of Vail, Colorado, where the Big Red brand recently announced a partnership with the resort operator. Much like the Suburban and Tahoe, the Yukon is vital to GM’s sales volume and bottom line. So, here’s what we expect from the all-new, fifth-generation model.
Mechanical
Mechanically, the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL will be identical to the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban. The biggest, under-the-skin change will be the move from the K2 platform used by the current Yukon since 2015 to GM’s all-new T1 platform. The T1 body-on-frame architecture was first introduced on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra pickup trucks, but it will receive several noteworthy modifications for the SUVs. One of those changes is the introduction of an independent rear suspension (IRS), which marks a departure from the outgoing generation’s solid rear axle with multi-link setup. The change to the IRS is all in the name of better ride and handling and improved interior space.
Under the hood, we expect GMC’s new flagship SUVs to be offered with three engine options – two gasoline engines and a diesel. The gasoline motors include the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 engine as standard and the 6.2L V8 L87 in the Yukon Denali. The 3.0L I6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine will be optional on some models. All three engine choices will be mated to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
Besides delivering weight savings benefits, the new T1 architecture is stiffer than the K2 structure, enabling engineers to more precisely tune the suspension to deliver better ride and NVH characteristics. On the subject of suspension, expect the standard suspension system to be complemented by the optional Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) and Air Suspension. The new GM Global B electrical architecture will serve as the underlying signal and communications framework.
A rendering of the 2021 Yukon
Exterior
Much like the Tahoe and Suburban, the 2021 GMC Yukon will be larger than the outgoing models. An all-new exterior appearance featuring GMC’s latest design language will make the Yukon reminiscent of the new-for-2019 GMC Sierra. C-shaped lighting elements will be present front and center.
Trim level-specific front- and rear-end treatments will be present and accounted for, with the grilles, exhaust configurations (some models will have four exhaust tips), running boards and wheels varying from trim to trim. The off-road-oriented Yukon AT4 – a new addition to the Yukon family that was promised previously by GMC – should have a notably different front fascia than the rest of the lineup so as to allow for a higher approach angle.
The swing panels – the hood, doors and liftgate – will be made of aluminum – much like on the new GMC Sierra. But despite the light-weighting efforts, the new Yukon will probably be slightly heavier than the outgoing model thanks to its larger size and the IRS.
The 2021 Yukon is expected to have a design reminiscent of the 2019 and newer GMC Sierra. 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 pictured.
Interior
Much like the exterior, the cabin of the 2021 Yukon will be all-new. Bigger screens with the latest infotainment systems will combine with quality materials and an all-new design. The column shifter will be replaced by a push-button setup like in the Tahoe and Suburban. The Denali is expected to have a different cockpit configuration than lesser models, as first observed by GM Authority.
More importantly, the Yukon will have much-improved room in the second and third rows. The same should ring true in the cargo department. The improvements will be made possible by the new independent rear suspension setup, which enables more interior space over the solid rear axle config.
An all-new rear seat entertainment system, with a modern user interface and configurations, will also be available.
Lineup
We expect the lineup for the 2021 GMC Yukon to follow the SLE – SLT – Denali trim level hierarchy of the current models. However, GMC will also introduce the aforementioned Yukon AT4 as a more rugged, off-road-oriented variant.
Much like the current models, two length options will be offered: the regular Yukon and the extended-length Yukon XL.
Pricing
We expect 2021 GMC Yukon pricing to start in the low- to mid-$50,000 range, with the Yukon XL starting at around $3,000 more. We don’t expect to hear about pricing during the reveal event. Instead, that info should be announced closer to launch.
Manufacturing
Production of the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL will take place exclusively at the GM Arlington plant in Texas. The facility will continue being the only plant in the world to produce the full-size SUVs.
Reveal
The new Yukon will be revealed at an event on January 14th in Vail, Colorado.
Availability
The 2021 GMC Yukon will launch in the middle of 2020. It will be available in all current markets where GMC has a first-party presence – the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East. Sales will first commence in the U.S. first, with availability in other markets coming thereafter.
Competition
The Yukon typically accounts for roughly a quarter of the highly-lucrative mainstream full-size SUV segment, which also includes the following models:
- The Yukon’s corporate cousins – the aforementioned 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
- Ford Expedition
- Nissan Armada
- Toyota Sequoia
- Upcoming Jeep Wagoneer
Comments
It looks great, I’m sure it will be a big success like the Tahoe/Suburban!
Bravo to GM for making the 10spd auto as the standard transmission.
The new GMC Yukon variants should be great as always, like the new Suburban and Tahoe. Greater differentiation, greater availability of the 6.2 liter V8 and the 3.0 Duramax Diesel, and exclusive features and content are needed to separate the Yukon from its platform mates.
What time tomorrow?
While I think the Escalade will get far more press coverage (and I admit that’s the one I’m looking forward to the most), I think the Yukon will arguably be the most significant. Yes, the Tahoe/Suburban twins sell the most, but the Yukon will be the model that shows us how serious GM is about differentiating the interiors for the three platform mates. Tomorrow, we’ll get to see if GM was serious about making each model as different as possible. This will have ramifications well beyond the full-size SUV family, too; this will move into trucks (hopefully SOON), and likely down to crossovers.
Additionally, the GMC line is also the strongest brand (by far) that GM has to offer. Their customer reputation is excellent, and the Denali sub-brand has exploded in popularity (and may even be more well-received than Cadillac is as a PRIMARY brand, for God’s sake). The Yukon Denali has probably got as much luxury credibility as the Escalade, especially for those who don’t want their luxury car/truck to shout it in your face. A win here, particularly for the Denali version, will be a big boost for the already-healthy brand.
Basically, I think the Yukon reveal tomorrow will tell us much about what we can expect from GM in the next decade. Looking forward to the reveal – with this, the new Escalade, and the return of Hummer, there is much to look forward to for us GM truck lovers.
“ he Escalade, especially for those who don’t want their luxury car/truck to shout it in your face.”
Have you seen the grille?!
Have you seen cars on the road today? Everything has a big grille, that’s just today’s fad.
I was more referring to the well-documented “bling-bling,” luxury status of the Escalade in popular media, especially in the 90’s and 00’s. Denali does not have that reputation.
Same old box of yesteryear as this is why GMC Yukon has lost marketshare to the RAM; General Motors CEO Mary Barra needs to get her ass into action by doing something like making the 650 hp LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 available as an option or develop an electric hybrid which can provide ‘Instant Torque’ and better mileage than the competition because if hybrid technology is good for the Corvette, it’s even better for full size trucks and SUVs.
Yukon and Ram don’t compete in the same space. Moron.
The immature always blames Ms. Barr’s for something, probably one of the best leaders GM has ever had.
True, the trolls will always blame Barra for this, that and the other thing, but at the same time, there are plenty of valid criticisms that can be aimed at her over her stint at the helm of GM. Namely among them is the inexcusable reverting to the same old corporate bean-counter ways that drove GM from 30,000 feet up in the 50’s to 6 feet under in the 2009 bankruptcy. We could get into numerous specifics, but today I’d much rather celebrate what’s shaping out to be another winning product roll-out from my favorite automotive company.
I for one here agree George S,
I think Mary is the best GM leader of my lifetime so far.
It has been near impossible to break the good old boy cheapness of GM !
But starting with the C8 Vette to these new full-size SUVs, things are looking up !
I hope the new interiors of these full-sized SUVs trickle down to the rest of the corresponding badge lineup, and for sure Cadillac, but the rest of the mid-sized lineup as well !
And I just wish Mary would do something about the sheer lack of, or horrible, customer support system.
I can’t believe she wants to treat the GM customer as they are being treated !
Here is to a great release
Just can not see how this information help today’s sale, GM still has 4 months to go through with selling old editions before new editions hit the market. I know I would not purchase a 2020 model when you are advertising you coming out with a totally new edition in months.
Well does Anyone know what time is the Reveal? Anyone have a link to live stream?
Can someone tell me what the towing capacity will be in your 2021 yukon xl diesel?