Much to our dismay, the much-anticipated mid-cycle refresh of the GMC Yukon did not take place for the 2024 model year. Instead, the 2024 GMC Yukon receives only a handful of minor changes (see 2024 GMC Yukon changes). We now expect Big Red to refresh its full-size SUV for the 2025 model year.
Naturally, the refresh will include a variety of important updates and changes, many of which GM Authority has already uncovered, so we’re putting it all together to tell you everything we know and expect from the refreshed 2025 GMC Yukon and its longer variant, the 2025 GMC Yukon XL.
Terminology
Before we get into the changes, let’s first define some terms. The 2025 Yukon will represent a refresh, otherwise known as a Mid-Cycle Enhancement (MCE) or update. In other words, it won’t be an all-new vehicle, but rather an update to the current, fifth-generation model – as the name implies – in the middle of its life.
That means that the 2025 GMC Yukon will remain a full-size SUV and the overwhelming majority of the vehicle will carry over from the current generation model. What will change are the designs of the front and rear fascias, along with new wheel sizes and designs, along with an updated interior, particularly the cockpit. A new turbo-diesel engine is also expected, as is 5G connectivity to replace the 4G connection in current models.
Model Line
The 2024 Yukon range was offered in regular-length Yukon and extended-length Yukon XL body styles across the following trim levels:
- SLE
- SLT
- AT4
- Denali
- Denali Ultimate
We don’t expect any changes to the model line for the 2025 Yukon, but it’s possible that SLE and SLT trims will be replaced by Elevation and Elevation Premium, respectively. This would bring the Yukon in line with the new GMC Y-trim level strategy.
Exterior
The exterior design will be updated to include a new front fascia with the GMC’s latest signature C-shaped headlight treatment. Sources tell us that the design will be similar to what we see on the 2024 GMC Acadia. There will also be a set of new fog lights along with a new roof-mounted communications fin for 5G connectivity.
Further updates will take place at the rear via a revised set of tail lamps and small changes to the rear fascia. The exhaust outlets will also be redesigned, with lower end models featuring dual through-fascia finishers, while others will get a quad-tipped setup.
There will also be several new wheel options, including a set of new 24-inch wheels, along with new exterior color options.
Interior
The 2025 GMC Yukon will get an overhauled cockpit featuring a new digital instrument panel (gauge cluster) plus a new, larger infotainment screen. Though the exact sizes of the displays is currently unknown, we do know that these changes will also result in various revisions to the center stack and dash as a whole.
It’s unclear whether the Denali and Denali Ultimate models will continue with a unique cockpit layout, or whether all trim levels will migrate to the same layout.
Accompanying the changes to the dash and screen will be a new shifter mechanism, moving away from the push-pull style setup used currently to a lever on the right side of the steering column. This digital lever has appeared on several GM models, but the first GMC model to get it is the all-new 2024 GMC Acadia.
Powertrain
We expect the 2025 GMC Yukon to be offered with three engine options, starting with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine and the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, as offered previously. Notably, the refreshed Yuke is expected to introduce the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine to the lineup, replacing the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel baby Duramax offered previously. This straight-six turbo-diesel may even be offerred on the Yukon AT4 as an option. For the 2021, 2022 and 2023 model years, the AT4 did not offer the LM2 diesel due to the packaging constraints of the off-roader’s unique high-cut fascia.
All three engines will once again connect to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission, with both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive offered to put the power to the ground.
Platform
Under the body, the 2025 GMC Yukon will continue riding on the GM T1 platform, which has been the case since the launch of the current generation model for the 2021 model year.
Availability & Production
The refreshed 2025 GMC Yukon will be sold in North America, the Middle East, and select export markets. We expect a debut before the end of 2023.
Production will likely begin toward the end of the 2024 calendar year at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
Spy Shots
Our spies have captured the refreshed 2025 GMC Yukon in prototype form on various occasions, including:
- February 2022: 2025 GMC Yukon refresh spied testing for the very first time
- March 2022: 2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate caught testing
- March 2023: a glimpse of the 2025 Yukon interior
- March 2023: 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 caught testing
- July 2023: a closer look at the 2025 GMC Yukon’s lights
- July 2023: 2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate caught testing
- July 2023: another look at the 2025 Yukon’s interior
We’ll keep this article updated as we learn more about the 2025 GMC Yukon, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Yukon news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Can’t wait to see the price increases . Let’s be honest the interiors do look so dated and all that plastic , ugh .
I don’t think the interiors look dated, but the screen could certainly grow in size to bring it into the modern era.
“All that plastic”? Are we talking about the same vehicle?
yes everything is plastic. half the steering wheel is literal plastic and it extends down to wrap the rim itself
the center stack is the big off in these. that ipad screen looks like a 2012 kia. i hate it so much just sticking out of there like an afterthought
Tell us you have never been inside one without actually telling us…
Take another look at the image on the right. Everything that you see in brown is wood, not plastic, fake wood or anything but wood.
Much of what you might believe to be plastic is soft touch material. There’s not a vehicle out there that doesn’t incorporate the use of plastics, because no other material can be used for complex shapes.
Viewing a photo taken from the headliner angle is not the same as actually sitting in the driver’s seat. I have a 2023 Ultimate in the bay at work for “seat of the pants” reference. It has Super Cruise, so the top of the steering wheel has the indicator panel.
Many manufacturers went with the iPad look as if stuck to the dashboard, which was a trend that I never personally liked. The Ultimate system is integrated and is fine.
My own 2023 Sierra has the Google system, which runs level across and sticks up a little at the far right end. Behind that corner is a pocket that works great for holding my sunglasses. You can’t see those features in photos.
Again, it is a very different perspective based on camera angles and views, compared to actually sitting in the vehicles with a driver’s view line.
only denali uses ash wood pieces and they are so process might as well be the veneer edition. the soft touch is rubberized synthetic, so technically still plastic. as i said people need to spend time with one outside the showroom. we will talk then.
Well, since I work and train technicians on this very 2023 model as one of 6 different vehicles in my fleet go right ahead.
This ain’t my first rodeo with any year of Yukon since 1980 onwards.
I know how the vehicle is put together, since I take it apart and interact with the systems. This is not in a showroom environment.
I get to spend each day with these vehicles delving into the operating systems, removing trim and components that unless your’e doing the same, you’re only looking at the shiny side.
Wood is wood. What do you think wood inside a vehicle should look like, rough cedar fencing replete with wood slivers? Get real.
It is wood and finished very nicely like furniture that you have made to order, not from the big box store.
The soft touch material surfaces are soft, not hard plastic. n’uff said. Many vehicles have nothing but hard plastic on many surfaces that are covered in padded material on this one.
Every vehicle on the planet has hard plastics for many trim pieces, simply because of how it can be formed into complex shapes in a single piece.
If you don’t like the vehicle, that’s your opinion. Personally, I prefer my 2023 Sierra Elevation that is exactly half the price and does what I need just fine, even with some actual real plastic fake wood and aluminum trim.
What are you using for comparison with this vehicle? Surely not a 2023 Tundra or similar, which has plastic down and onto the lower rim of the steering wheel and an iPad stuck up high on the dash like a Tesla.
Supposed to watching the road and not looking at the screen.
Correct and it doesn’t need a mammoth iPad style TV screen on or in the dash.
For those who bother to set up their infotainment system icons and everything else up customized to their own taste and needs, the frequently used features should be closest to hand accessible at a quick glance. Many still have tactile buttons.
What some may not know is that while driving, a message may be displayed on the screen identifying that some functions may be limited while driving to prevent distraction.
The limo drivers will all be happy.
The GM full size suv is the most versatile vehicle produced today. Wide variety of trims and powertrains. Plenty of capability to tow trailers, drive off-road with 4×4, good highway traveling machine. Doesn’t look out of place anywhere. The 6.2 is a beast of a power plant, getting 22 MPG on the highway at 70 MPH, and turns the big SUV into a muscle machine.
The Yukon is the sweet spot among the three models – slightly nicer interior on most trims than the Suburban. Slots below the Escalade, which is very nice but also has a certain image associated with it – good or bad depending. I prefer the understated luxury of the Denali line and have voted with my wallet multiple times.
Same engines same problems
Why has Chevrolet and GMC decided to not re-engineer the rear suspension that remains totally Vernerable to
any and all off road hazards ,not to mention on highway trash.
Know of no other product out there with their lower control arms so low. I remember seeing the first new units arriving with the rear end components in bare aluminum. I’t didn’t take them long to paint everything black to mask their short comings. Stu
When can I order a 2024 Yukon?
when will detroit cave in to customers requests and offer 6 doors on 3 rows, 2 doors per row, which is natural, instead of the old fold down a seat to go to the back row. detroit must show priority on customers needs and desires, not their engineers.
All plastic Luft and the center stack is a joke
infoscreen should be placed above dash, so driver does not have to look down. offer the largest infoscreen on the market, 15 inches. 3rd row should have same legroom measurement as second row, and also has its own doorsfor a total of ix doors. for more power, gm and detroit must stop going to a smaller v6 then turbocharge, instead go to normally aspirated bigger v8 or v12. gm and detroit must do these things with no excuses why they cant be done
Waiting to order a 2025 Yukon XL Denali. When can I expect to see the new Build and Price spec listing?