The 2021 GMC Yukon will drop the Performance Upgrade Package from its list of available options, GM Authority can confirm.
The Performance Upgrade Package (RPO code PDM) is an LPO-level, dealer-installed equipment group that includes the following:
- Performance Air Intake System (RPO 5W7)
- Cat-Back Performance Exhaust (RPO WBC)
This package was previously available on the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL with either the 5.3L L84 V8 engine or 6.2L L87 V8. It was not available in conjunction with the 3.0L LM2 inline-six turbo-diesel engine. Customers who ordered this upgrade package could expect a mild horsepower and torque increase thanks to the Performance Air Intake, Cat-Back Performance Exhaust and the necessary engine management calibration to ensure these factory performance parts work as intended. The package added $2,295 to the price of a 2021 GMC Yukon and could be ordered with any trim level, including the range-topping AT4 and Denali trims.
It’s not clear why GM has decided to remove the Performance Upgrade Package from the GMC Yukon options list, however this change is universal across all GM full-size truck and SUV models. The automaker previously removed the package from the options list for the GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup trucks, as well as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, so it seems as though the automaker is shying away from factory performance upgrades parts for these models for the time being. It’s not clear if the Performance Upgrade Package will return to any of these vehicles’ respective order books for the 2022MY.
Prices for the 2021 GMC Yukon start at $52,595 for an entry-level SLE trim model with two-wheel drive, the 5.3L L84 V8 engine and a GM 10-speed automatic transmission. The SUV is produced at the GM Arlington Assembly plant in Texas.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Yukon news, GMC news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The 5.3 needs it, the 6.2 does not. Not a big deal since both Cat-Back and Induction systems are easily available on the aftermarket and they help the engine “breathe” better which GM engineers should have done on the OEM design to begin with.
There’s often an engineering trade-off with intakes. Aftermarket ones often are poorly engineered. Simple fact is many of them don’t filter as well, so when you drive in dusty environments, your engine is being damaged. Owners don’t know the intake is at fault because they never tested it.
Other impacts may be that the dust capacity is lower so in actual use you’re getting higher restrictions, filters are more expensive, and the intake can’t handle as much moisture which causes the filter to ice up when driving in snow or temperatures around freezing.
The big perk of this upgrade was you got the quad tip exhaust if your trim didn’t come with it already.
And the hits just keep on comin.
Yes I agree it’s getting pretty ridiculous why not stop production on everything this year and wait until next year maybe they can get it right keep nickel and dime All the options some consumers would like to have seems like we’re too concerned about e Vehicles now
I agree completely. I bought a 2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali loaded in October of last year. Drove about 500 miles to pick it up because the local dealer could not get one fully loaded. I ordered one and they kept pushing back the timeline so found one on line equipped the way I wanted it so made the trip. Point is, who wants to pay good money for a vehicle that is not equipped the way you want it. Our local dealer here is struggling with virtually no new car inventory. I may have paid a little more and had the inconvenience of a 1000 miles round trip but I got what I wanted. Sad thing is now nobody can get anything fully loaded. This is my 5th GMC Yukon XL but given what’s going on it may be my last.
I believe a big reason this package was deleted was due to the fact that exhaust manufacturers cannot get raw materials. Exhaust tubing is virtually impossible to get right now and some of the aftermarket manufacturers are shutting down until the situation improves. It’s a shame, this was a good upgrade.
Thank you George for the accurate information.
The truth is most of these parts are not made by GM and are supplied by the aftermarket. If you have not been paying attention most of the aftermarket parts are delayed due to material, labor and transportation issues.
Case in point here this exhaust is a Borla made for GM. Yes they are having shortages of tubing.
GM could keep these on the window sticker and delay vehicles or they can just ship these and most dealer have these in stock if not they can order it and you can have it installed once it arrives. These are dealer installed options anyway so it is not like they were installed at the factory.
As for real world gains these are little to nothing. You will get more under hood noise and more exhaust noise but not much power in return. These vehicles today have learning features on the computers that will learn and adjust back the settings for any changes like this. The computer needs to be un locked from the learn feature.
It is what it is and if you want or need an exhaust a couple months they will be back in stock.
I have some GM parts ordered now and it is taking 2 months for them so far.
Yes you can get fully loaded vehicles but just not as fast as you may like. It will be a while before things get back to normal if the government and the Delta variant does not screw things up more.
We have lived in a instant gratification world for too long as this is how things used to be years ago. Nothing happened fast but it does happen.
Also the writers of these stories must get paid by the story as this is the same news from trucks and other models with the similar LPO option. You don’t need to do a story on every truck and SUV affected.
Some of you comments are valid although you sound like a GM executive. LOL I do take exception with your comment on “instant gratification” though. A lot of things “used” to be that way but GM and others have trained us that is not what we should expect. We should expect fast prompt delivery of vehicles, service and even financing. Our local dealer here is one of the biggest in the country and he is totally disgusted with GM right now, he has nothing to sell. Point is, if it doesn’t happen fast other makes and brands will get the business and not GM.
Not a GM employee. But I am a person that works in the performance aftermarket snd understand how things work or don’t work at the automakers.
I see many things the web CEO’s never see.
People since that advent of Google can not get product fast enough.
My point is on ordered parts. Many people take it personal that a company did not ship a part ASAP. Well things like production runs. Supplier parts and other factors come into play much like the chips.
Thing often get beyond the control of the retailer. The mfgs and retailer want to get the product out as they don’t get paid til, you sign.
As to dealers it just depends on the dealer. Some are better than others and the automakers are limited as to what they can do to them. The dealers are protected by the government and like bad. Employees dealers are difficult to remove.
As for fully loaded buying just depends on what is being built. We got a Denali Acadia with everything accept the odd LPO parts. Things like these LPO parts can be added anytime as they are not factory installed anyways.
Unfortunately it’s all supply chain stuff. Anything from raw materials to chips. If you can wait to purchase I think you’ll have more options.
Do they even build 2021 models anymore?
Normally build out is usually right about now we should be working on the 22s
Hmm. A little late, but I’m wondering if the more free flowing intake allowed enough material in to goober up the DFM controls for the lifters. Maybe engineers determined this was a contributing factor to lifter failures and quickly removed the option. If you look, you can hardly find a reference to the cold air intakes out there, but the cat back exhaust is still being produced. Just a guess.