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GMC Yukon XL

The GMC Yukon XL is a full-size SUV marketed exclusively to North America by General Motors. The Yukon XL replaced the GMC Suburban as the extended-wheelbase variant of Big Red’s body-on-frame SUV.

First Generation

The first-generation GMC Yukon XL debuted for the 2000 model year. Based on the GMT800 platform, this generation of the Yukon XL received a complete overhaul over the preceding model, including softer, more aerodynamic styling features and an interior overhaul.

Production took place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, and the GM Silao plant in Mexico.


For the 2003 model year, the GMC Yukon XL and Chevrolet Suburban received a mid-cycle refresh. This revision included new safety features, new radio system, a redesigned instrument cluster, and a updated steering wheel, as well as minor electrical and powertrain updates.

The powertrain lineup included:

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2000 – 2006 5.3L V8 LM7 (Vortec 5300) 295 335 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated 1500 only
2002 – 2006 5.3L V8 L59 (Vortec 5300) 285 320 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated 1500 only, Flex Fuel
2000 – 2002 5.7L V8 L31 (Vortec 5700) 350 350 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Mexico only
2000 – 2006 6.0L V8 LQ4 (Vortec 6000) 320 375 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Optional on 1500, Standard on 2500
2002 – 2006 8.1L V8 L18 (Vortec 8100) 340 455 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Optional on 2500

Transmission options included a wide range of four-speed automatics.


Production of the first-gen GMC Yukon XL spanned from the 2000 to 2006 model years, while the trim lineup on the 2006 Yukon XL ranged from SLE, SLT and Denali.

Second Generation

The second-generation GMC Yukon XL was revealed at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2007 model year vehicle. This generation Yukon XL rode on the GMT900 platform, and had a much more angular design theme as compared to the first-gen Yukon XL, as well as a significantly redesigned interior.

Production of the second-generation Yukon XL began in April 2006 at the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin and GM Silao plant in Mexico, and later followed suit at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.


The 2010 GMC Yukon XL and Chevrolet Suburban saw a relatively mild mid-cycle refresh, with a slightly raised front bumper, revised interior door trimmings, and improved safety with side torso airbags and optional side blind zone alert.

The powertrain lineup included:

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2007 – 2014 5.3L V8 LY5 (Vortec 5300) 320 340 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated 1500 only
2007 – 2014 5.3L V8 LMG (Vortec 5300) 320 340 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated 1500 only, Flex Fuel
2007 – 2009 6.0L V8 L76 (Vortec 6000) 367 375 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated 1500 only
2007 – 2013 6.0L V8 LY6 (Vortec 6000) 361 385 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated 2500 only
2007 – 2013 6.2L V8 L92 (Vortec 6200) 403 417 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Denali only

Transmission options included four-speed and six-speed automatics.


Production of the second-generation GMC Yukon XL spanned from the 2007 to 2014 model years, while the trim lineup on the 2014 Yukon XL ranged from SLE, SLT and Denali.

Third Generation

2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali.

2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali

The third-generation GMC Yukon XL debuted in September 2013 in Los Angeles as a 2015 model year vehicle, and rode on the GM K2XX platform. This generation of the Yukon XL saw an overall improvement in aerodynamics and efficiency, as well as entirely different sheetmetal from its GMC Sierra brethren. On the interior, passenger space was increased, and fold-flat second- and third-row seats were now standard affair. Additionally, all Yukon XL models received an eight-inch diagonal color touch screen radio with enhanced IntelliLink and available navigation.

Overall, this generation of Yukon XL increased the general daily livability of Big Red’s extended wheelbase full-size SUV.

2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali.

2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali

Production of the third-gen Yukon XL began in December 2013 at the GM Arlington plant in Texas. These first vehicles were used for testing purposes, as the Yukon XL officially arrived on dealership lots in February the following year.

General Motors never gave the third-gen Yukon XL a mid-cycle refresh but did introduce a few updates every year of production.

The powertrain lineup included:

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2015 – 2020 5.3L V8 L83 (EcoTec3) 355 383 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Flex Fuel
2015 – 2018 6.2L V8 L86 (EcoTec3) 420 460 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Active Fuel Management
2019 – 2020 6.2L V8 L87 (EcoTec3) 420 460 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Dynamic Fuel Management

Transmission options included six-speed, eight-speed, and 10-speed automatics.


Production of the third-gen GMC Yukon XL spanned from the 2015 to 2020 model years, while the trim lineup on the 2020 Yukon XL ranged from SLE, SLT Standard Edition, SLT and Denali.

Fourth Generation

2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali.

2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali

The fourth-generation GMC Yukon XL was unveiled on January 14th, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this next-gen Yukon didn’t begin production at the GM Arlington plant in Texas until May 2020, and arrived on dealership lots in June 2020.

The fourth-gen Yukon XL rides on the GM T1 platform, which it shares with the Sierra 1500. However, this generation of GMC’s full-size SUV is noted for the introduction of an independent rear multilink suspension setup with coil springs over the pickups live axle and leaf spring setup. This new suspension system improved ride quality, as well as created more room in the cargo area and for second- and third-rowing seating.

2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali.

2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali

The fourth-gen Yukon XL retained much of the preceding Yukon XL’s boxy styling, albeit with a more rounded design. On the inside, the interior has been completely overhauled, with a standard 10.25-inch infotainment screen, as well as a driver-centered steering wheel. Denali models received an exclusive dashboard, while an Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system is standard affair on higher trim levels.

The powertrain lineup included:

Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2021 – present 3.0L I6 LM2 (Duramax) 277 460 Diesel Turbocharged Not available on Z71 or Mexico models
2021 – present 5.3L V8 L84 (EcoTec3) 355 383 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated
2021 – present 6.2L V8 L87 (EcoTec3) 420 460 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated

Transmission options include the GM 10-speed automatic.

2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali.

2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali

Production of the fourth-gen Yukon XL is currently ongoing, and the trim lineup of the current 2023 Yukon XL ranges from SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate.

More GMC Yukon XL Resources

Follow these links for more GMC Yukon XL information:

GMC Yukon XL Pages

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