GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV marketed exclusively to North America and the Middle East by General Motors. The Yukon replaced the second-generation GMC Jimmy (K5) as Big Red’s body-on-frame SUV.

First Generation

The first-generation GMC Yukon was introduced in 1991 as a 1992 model year vehicle, three years before the Chevrolet Tahoe. Notably, this generation was the only generation in which a Yukon could be optioned with two doors.

The first-gen Yukon, as well as the Chevrolet Tahoe, rode on the GMT400 platform. The Chevrolet Suburban also used this vehicle platform. Despite the shared platform, the Yukon and Tahoe were significantly shorter in length than the Suburban. Production took place at assembly plants internationally, including the GM Arlington plant in Texas, the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, the GM Silao plant in Mexico, the GM Cordoba plant in Argentina and the GM Valencia plant in Venezuela.

General Motors never gave the first-gen Yukon a mid-cycle refresh but did introduce a few updates every year. Notably, the first-ever Denali model was introduced in the form of the 1999 Yukon.

As for powertrain, the 1992 Yukon was equipped as standard with the 5.7L LO5 V8 gasoline engine, while 1996 and onward models received the updated 5.7L L31 V8 gasoline engine. Additionally, the turbocharged 6.5L Detroit Diesel V8 engine was only available for two-door models with 4WD. The GM four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual transmission were the only transmission options.

In regards to output, the LO5 V8 produced 200 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the L31 V8 developed 255 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, and the Detroit Diesel churned out 180 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque.

Production spanned from model years 1992 to 1999, while the 1999 Yukon had a trim lineup that ranged from Base, SLT, SLE and Denali.

Second Generation

The second-generation GMC Yukon debuted for the 2000 model year. Based on the GMT800 platform, this generation of the Yukon 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, the GM Silao plant in Mexico, and the GM Kaliningrad plant in Russia.

For the 2003 model year, the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe 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 updatess.

Speaking of powertrain, the second-gen Yukon introduced two new engines, the 4.8L LR4 V8 gasoline engine and the 5.3L LM7 V8 gasoline. While smaller then the outgoing 5.7L Small Block, both engines produced more power, albeit less torque as well.

The 4.8L LR4 was rated at 285 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.3L LM7 was rated at 295 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque.

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

Third Generation

The third-generation GMC Yukon launched in late 2005 as a 2007 model year vehicle. This generation Yukon rode on the GMT900 platform, and had a much more angular design theme as compared to the second-gen Yukon, as well as a significantly redesigned interior.

Production of the third-generation Yukon began early 2006 at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, later following suit at the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, GM Kaliningrad plant in Russia, and GM Valencia plant in Venezuela.

The 2010 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe 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.

As for powertrain, the third-gen Yukon saw a bump in fuel economy to the tune of the 2 to 3 mpg thanks to the addition of Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology. The 4.8L LY2 V8 was standard from model years 2007 to 2009 and produced 295 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.3L LY5 V8 lasted the entire model run, and developed 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque.

From model years 2011 to 2014, the GMC Yukon Denali was available with the 6.2L L92 V8 gasoline engine. First offered in the 2007 Cadillac Escalade, this all-aluminum powerplant churned out 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque.

Starting with the 2008 model year, the third-gen Yukon was also offered as a hybrid. This model featured the shared GM / Chrysler Advanced Hybrid System 2, which combined the 6.0L LFA V8 gasoline engine with two supplemental electric motors. The 6.0L LFA produced 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque alone, while the electric motors brought total output to 379 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.

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

Third-Generation GMC Yukon Photos

Fourth Generation

The fourth-generation GMC Yukon debuted in February 2014 as a 2015 model year vehicle, and rode on the GM K2XX platform (K2UC for Tahoe and K2UG for Yukon).

Fourth-Generation GMC Yukon Photos