2021 GMC Yukon AT4 Won’t Offer Diesel Powerplant
22
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The all-new 2021 GMC Yukon dropped cover earlier this year with a swath of updates and new features, including a new diesel powerplant and the addition of the off-roader AT4 trim level. However, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the product plans that the new GMC Yukon AT4 will not offer the option for diesel power under the hood.
The reason comes down to the 2021 GMC Yukon AT4’s unique front fascia, which includes a revised lower section that’s higher cut than the standard 2021 Yukon fascia. While the new fascia looks great and comes with a higher approach angle, adding to the AT4’s off-road worthiness, it also obstructs the intercooler and intercooler piping needed for the new 3.0L I-6 LM2 Duramax turbodiesel engine. Thus, the engine will not be offered on the AT4 trim level.
As it turns out, this is the same reason the LM2 turbodiesel engine isn’t offered on the off-road-oriented 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, as well.
As a result, the only engine that will be offered on the 2021 GMC Yukon AT4 will be the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 (EcoTec 3 family), with Dynamic Fuel Management, Direct Injection, and Variable Valve Timing. Output from the ‘eight is rated at 355 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, and 383 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm.
The GM 10-speed automatic transmission is onboard for shifting duties, while AT4 trim levels equip a two-speed active electronic Autotrac transfer case, which includes a neutral position for dinghy towing.
Meanwhile, the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 is standard and exclusive to the plush Yukon Denali trim level, throwing down 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Like the L84 V8 and LM2 turbodiesel, it too mates to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
Should GM revise the 2021 GMC Yukon AT4’s front fascia to accommodate the LM2 diesel engine? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Yukon news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Silly to not have the 6.2 on offer
I love GM but i do not understand why they make the 6.2 so hard to get.
Duh, yeah!
Add the 6.2L as an option. What does it hurt? Absolutely nothing.
Why does GM perpetually shoot themselves in the foot?
Diesel should be available on the Z71 and AT4 models! Esp with only 200 lbs lost on tow ratings – this is a logical choice for the (expected and TBD) improvement in MPG.
Overall though, I’m disappointed with the tow ratings compared to the Expedition which has > 1000 lbs greater tow rating.
Since the diesel has a “wet oil pump belt” that is a maintenance item which requires the transmission to be moved back to replace, who wants that diesel anyways? When the belt fails, will it be under warranty or a “design flaw”?
I haven’t seen the design – can you explain why the transmission has to be removed to replace the wet oil pump belt?
It is on the back of the motor along with the timing chain. This video shows it.
David – Thank you for sharing this video. Very helpful in helping me understand the design. Interesting point made in it is that the wet belt is designed for 150K miles min before failure. Tying back to your original comment – if it fails before 150K mile claim made by the engineer, is it a design flaw or will it be covered by warranty?
I have a 2020 AT4 Sierra with the 3.0l and love it. I also have a 2015 Yukon Denali that I was planning on trading in for a 202x AT4 Yukon and was planning on getting the 3.0l in that as well. For work we are starting to swap out our fleet of Dodge’s for AT4’s and Z-71’s with eco diesels. I love the economy and capability.
GM needs to have the 6.2 as an option.
I like the AT4 and Z71, but would like the 6.2.
I don’t want the diesel, but it seems like there could have been some engineering done to accommodate it.
Yes to a diesel
GM as usual is a day late and dollar short.
I am very disappointed that the diesel will not be available with the At4. After driving the all wheel drive/4 low SLT yukon XL, for years, the size is excellent, but the all told MPG is under 13, which is really poor, and since most of my driving is either towing a raft, towing a 20 mototboat or climbing the mountains hunting and skiing at altitude, I could really use lift and towing power. For how much these vehicles cost these days I’d prefer to get 31 MPG instead of 12.6. Please figure out how to offer this combo in future years, I don’t care about the approach angle.
I can’t believe you’re not offering a 6.2!! We have the truck & Ive been waiting on this!!! I will not purchase a 5.3.
Its insane the 6.2L isn’t an option on the non denali models. Denalis chrome hurts the eyes and shouldn’t be the pigeonhole to the big V8. I have a 5.3 18′ yukon and it’s pretty darn underpowered. Step it up GM and listen to your audience not the mass soccer mom world with no need anyways for the denali 6.2.
I love the look of the AT4 on the Yukon, but I will not buy a Yukon without a diesel. Hopefully GM changes their marketing strategy and nixes the front skid plate on the AT4 then shoehorn’s a diesel into it.
GM completely lost the plot. Why, in the name of Sam Hill, isn’t the 6.2 offered. Why the hair-dresser Denali and the AT4 not? Don’t school me on the Denali – I have had two and only for the 6.2. Saggy suspension, nose dragging through the mud and snow; all it is good for is impressing your baby-sitter as GM full knows. Electric glitches galore to boot. POS.
I currently drive a Canyon diesel Denali that I put an ICON suspension and Cadillac CTS V seats in just to overcome its shortcomings. The ATS 4 Yukon was going to be my next vehicle. If GM doesn’t figure out how to bring it in a diesel I will just have to go a different direction. The 5.3 just doesn’t get things done at altitude.
I would buy a YukonXL AT4 but only with a diesel. I have had a ’07 Sierra Duramax since it was new and love it. The Denali is too prissy and too spendy. I want a YukonXL that works and looks like a workhorse. I need towing power and good fuel economy. Weighing a skid plate over a diesel is ludicrous. I go off-road with my Sierra all the time and never needed a skid plate. Let’s get in the real world. Get the engineers back to the drawing board.
Keep the rest of the grill as is, whatever you do, don’t put the ugly Denali grill on the AT4.
Yes to a diesel in the AT4. I would buy one tomorrow if it had one.