The 2021 GMC Yukon has been completely overhauled, adopting a new platform, along with a new exterior design, a new cabin, and a new powertrain lineup. The all-new full-size SUV is also available with a wealth of safety and convenience features, such as the push-button actuated, Active Response Four-Wheel Drive system that allows the Yukon to be switched between two-wheel and four-wheel drive at any normal driving speed via the push of a button.
The buttons, intuitively located on the left side of the instrument panel, the 2021 GMC Yukon can be shifted from the standard 2WD high drive mode to the automatic 4WD high mode, suitable for varied conditions, and to the full time 4WD high mode, perfect for snowy conditions or most off-road use.
Driver information center displays drive mode in upper right corner. This particular photo displays “2WD”
All of these modes may be initiated at any normal driving speed. The status of the Active Response Four-Wheel Drive system drive mode is displayed in the upper right of the driver information center.
Buyers who opt for the available two-speed transfer case will enjoy the advantages of a 4WD low setting. This allows the 2021 GMC Yukon to shift into or out of four-wheel drive low when the vehicle is stopped or moving at fewer than three miles per hour with the transmission in neutral.
The transfer case may be shifted into low after the instrument panel indicator light has stopped flashing. 4WD low is utilized for off-road driving in deep sand, mud, snow, or on steep hills.
Introduced by way of the world’s biggest tweet, the 2021 Yukon offers three engine choices, including two atmospheric gasoline motors and an optional turbo-diesel:
- 5.3L L84 gasoline V8 rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque
- 6.2L L87 gasoline V8 rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque
- 3.0L LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax I6 rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque
All engines are mated to GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission operated with GMC’s Electronic Precision Shift push button gear selector.
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Comments
No neutral in the transfer case eliminates flat towing behind motor homes. Big issue for a few buyers.
That’s incorrect, nothing changed, the two speed transfer still has neutral. The vehicle still can be dinghy towed.
Both Ford and GM replaced the neutral button with a special combination to prevent idiots who didn’t know what it does from causing their car to roll away, and because GM had a recall 6 years ago after switch shorts caused unintended neutral activation.
Page 271 of the manual of the 2021 discusses dinghy (flat) towing for 4wd models, and how to shift the transfer case into Neutral on page 238.
So this isn’t a brake based traction control system for all four wheels that can mimick a locker (brake the spinning wheel and send all the power to the wheel with traction) such as what Jeep or Toyota uses? I would have thought since they got rid of the G80 locker for the SUV’s it was replaced with such a system. They need to keep the rear locker and add a front traction control system on the trucks and SUV’s.
According to the GM Fleet Order guide for the 2021 Tahoe (the easiest way to look up RPO codes), the RPO code is now G86 – Differential, mechanical limited-slip. I was also able to look up a window sticker online for a 2021 Tahoe 4WD Z71 sitting on a dealer lot. Under Performance and Mechanical section of Standard Equipment, it lists: “Mechanical limited slip differential”. The same was seen on a 2021 4WD High Country trim, 2021 4WD Yukon Denali XL. The G96 electronic limited slip differential is available on the GMC AT4 and Denali trims, but its not available on Chevrolet models at this time.
So is this any different then my ’03 that can do all those things or is it just GM marketing to new buyers?
I have read and been told I can leave my GMC Yukon Denali in AUTO 4-wheel drive and aside from a bit worse gas mileage, this is the preferred setting. Now at 55,000 miles, my front differential seals are leaking. I am now being told it is because I leave my suv in auto 4-wheel drive. What is the truth?? Does leaving my rig in auto 4-wheel drive cause undue stress? If so, they need to clarify that….