The 2021 GMC Yukon represents a complete overhaul (re-engineering and redesign) of the flagship SUV, representing the fifth generation of the Yukon nameplate.
The 2021 Yukon lineup is headlined by an all-new and more upscale Denali and the first-ever Yukon AT4, taking Yukon into the premium off-road space. Yukon reaches a higher level of precise craftsmanship and premium accommodations through a combination of advanced features and class-leading technologies.
“GMC Yukon is the full-size premium SUV that’s made to be used,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “The new Yukon delivers what customers value most – premium features, purposeful technology and all-terrain capability.”
Assembly Location | GM Arlington Plant, Texas, USA | |
Body Style(s) | Full-Sized SUV | |
Layout | Front-Engined, Longitudinal | |
Engine(s) | 5.3L L84 V8, 6.2L L87 V8, 3.0 LM2 Duramax I6 (Diesel) | |
Transmission(s) | 10-Speed Auto | |
Drive Wheels | Rear-Wheel-Drive, Four-Wheel-Drive | |
Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico | |
Predecessor | 2020 GMC Yukon | |
Successor | 2022 GMC Yukon |
2021 GMC Yukon Highlights
- All-new interior design across the Yukon lineup, highlighted by a Denali-exclusive interior and a new, class-leading available Power Sliding Center Console.
- First-in-class, available, four-corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension delivers exceptional ride comfort and, when 4WD LO is engaged, allows drivers to raise the body up to 2 inches (50 mm) for additional ground clearance when traveling off-road (late availability).
- An available nine camera views, the most in the segment, increase driver awareness, including High Definition Surround Vision, Rear Camera Mirror and GMC’s ProGrade trailering system.
- Class-leading available 15-inch-diagonal multicolor Head-Up Display projects speed, navigation, safety features and other driver-centric information when properly equipped.
- The most powerful engine in the full-size SUV segment, an all-new 6.2L V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management (standard on Denali) delivers an estimated 420 horsepower, paired with a standard 10-speed transmission.
- All-new available Active Response 4WD System combines technologies including an electronic Limited Slip Differential, to continuously monitor road conditions and react to improve traction, handling and overall control.
Body Styles
The all-new 2021 GMC Yukon will still be offered as a full-size five-door SUV. A longer-length variant is available as the 2021 GMC Yukon XL. It’s worth highlighting the fact that the 2021 Yukon XL has a length of of 225.7-inches while the 2021 Yukon measures 210.7 inches.
Models & Trims
The 2021 GMC Yukon is offered as a retail or fleet model, with the SLE being the base model.
2021 Yukon Retail & Fleet Models:
- 2WD (TC10706)
- 4WD (TK10706)
2021 Yukon Retail & Fleet Trims:
- SLE (3SA)
- SLT (4SA)
- AT4 (4SB)
- Denali (5SA)
2021 GMC Yukon Denali Enhancements
The 2021 Yukon Denali debuts a more confident stance and improved proportions enabled by its longer wheelbase and new chassis. As bold as the new exterior design is, the biggest stories are found inside the new Yukon.
Denali, GMC’s premium luxury sub-brand, has driven much of the brand’s consistent growth in recent years by adding an elevated level of design and premium craftsmanship. Introduced on the 1999 Yukon, Denali has since grown to include all GMC product lines but has always been synonymous with Yukon. About 60 percent of Yukon buyers select Denali, making it a focal point for the next-generation design.
“Yukon was the model in which Denali originated in 1999, and now more than 20 years later, we’re introducing the quintessential Denali,” says Helen Emsley, executive director of Global Buick and GMC Design. “It delivers a first-class experience with an all-new, exclusive interior and a bolder, more distinctive exterior design.”
All-New GMC Yukon AT4 Model
Following the breakout popularity of the new Sierra AT4 pickup and the more recently launched Sierra HD AT4 and Acadia AT4, the new Yukon AT4 is squarely focused on rugged adventure. GMC will offer the new AT4 sub-brand across all product lines by the end of 2020.
“Our mission with the next-generation Yukon was to create an off-road capable vehicle with a premium interior, advanced technology and class-leading space for eight people and their cargo,” said Jim Danahy, executive chief engineer of full-size trucks.
The 2021 GMC Yukon AT4 provides premium off-road inspired design cues to match its strong capability. The first-ever Yukon AT4 features a unique front fascia that both visually carries the rugged all-terrain look and supports off-road capability. Coupled with the available four-corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, the AT4 can raise and offer an additional 2 inches (50 mm) of ground clearance. When at this maximum height, the Yukon AT4 offers a nearly 32-degree approach angle for added off-road capability. AT4 provides a contrast to Denali’s chrome-oriented look around the exterior, with trim characterized by body color or dark accents throughout, as well as a pair of red recovery hooks, similar to the Sierra AT4.
Key features of the AT4 include:
- Two-speed transfer case
- 20-inch Goodyear® all-terrain tires
- Traction Select System with off-road mode
- Hill Descent Control
- Skid plates protecting key areas of the underbody
- AT4-exclusive leather appointed seats and stitching
- Unique Jet Black interior color theme with Brandy accents
- Heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row outboard seats
Color Options
The all-new 2021 GMC Yukon offers a total of ten exterior colors, four of which are new. The premium full-size SUV also offers five interior color options and three different seat trims.
The 2021 Yukon color options include:
- 10 Exterior Colors:
- White Frost Tricoat
- Satin Steel Metallic
- Summit White
- Onyx Black
- Hunter Metallic
- Dark Sky Metallic
- Pearl Beige Metallic
- Dark Moon Blue Metallic
- Smokey Quartz Metallic
- Cayenne Red Tintcoat
- 5 Interior Colors:
- Jet Black
- Dark Walnut w/ Slate
- Brownstone w/ Jet Black
- Dark Walnut w/ Very Dark Ash Gray
- Teak w/ Light Shale
Interior Improvements
The Yukon is well-known for its substantial interior capacity, and for the 2021 model year the flagship SUV grows even more in terms of usable space for customers. With a nearly 5-inch-longer (127 mm) wheelbase and 6.1 inch (155 mm) increase in overall length compared to the current model, it offers 41 percent more third-row legroom and 66 percent greater cargo volume behind the third row.
On the Yukon, space gain is achieved efficiently – the increase in overall length is less than 3 percent, while maximum cargo room increases by 30 percent. Yukon XL retains its crown as GMC’s roomiest SUV for both passengers and cargo, benefitting from a 4.1 inch (104 mm) increase in wheelbase. The result is an increase in both passenger and cargo space, with only a fractional change (less than 1%) to Yukon XL’s overall length. Both vehicles now have a lower, flatter cargo-loading floor allowing easier access to cargo space.
Technology
In addition to offering premium creature comforts, such as the the all-new Class-Leading Power Sliding Center Console and panoramic sunroof, the 2021 GMC Yukon also offers 30 safety and driver convenience technologies, just some of which include:
- Restraint system with driver inboard seat-mounted side-impact airbag and Passenger Sensing System
- HD Rear Vision Camera
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Forward Collision Alert
- Following Distance Indicator
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- Rear Park Assist
- IntelliBeam automatic headlamp control
- Hitch Guidance for trailering
Available technologies include:
- HD Surround Vision
- Rear Pedestrian Alert
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and enhancements for trailering
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Head-Up Display
Class-Leading Power Sliding Center Console
The Yukon’s new first-class interior features a Power Sliding Center Console, available on Denali, AT4 and SLT. The main storage console between the driver and passenger seats can slide back up to 10-inches (254 mm), offering an expansive storage area that enhances overall storage flexibility and organization.
When the console slides back, drivers gain access to an open space for a purse or bag, and an additional hidden drawer underneath the console’s main storage bin, which provides secure storage and additional peace of mind.
Powertrain
The 2021 GMC Yukon offers three engine choices, which includes the addition of a diesel option:
- 5.3-Liter Ecotec3 L84 V8 (Gasoline) – Features variable valve-timing and direct injection, and produces an SAE-certified 355 horsepower / 265 kilowatts @ 5600 RPM with 383 pound-feet / 519 newton meters of torque @ 4100 RPM.
- 6.2-Liter Ecotec3 L87 V8 (Gasoline) – Features variable valve-timing and direct injection, and produces an SAE-certified 420 horsepower / 313 kilowatts @ 5600 RPM with 460 pound-feet / 623 newton meters of torque @ 4100 RPM.
- 3.0-Liter Duramax LM2 I6 (Diesel) – Features dual-overhead cams and direct injection, and produces a GM-estimated 277 horsepower / 207 kilowatts @ 3750 RPM with 460 pound-feet / 623 newton meters of torque @ 1500 RPM.
All three engines are paired with GM’s Hydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic and a 3.23 final drive ratio.
Ride And Handling Upgrades
The available four-corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension offers ride-height adjustments of up to 4 inches (100 mm) total, as well as an automatic self-leveling feature. Drivers can raise the body up to 2 inches (50 mm) for additional ground clearance when driving off-road.
In higher speed highway driving, the system automatically lowers Yukon’s ride height ¾ inch (20 mm) to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. A driver-selectable setting enacts a 2-inch (50 mm) drop to aid passenger entry and exit when the vehicle is parked. The self-leveling feature helps with comfort and control, particularly when the vehicle is loaded with cargo and when trailering.
Magnetic Ride Control, a technology pioneered on exotic sports cars, enables both precise body control and handling capability. It is one of the fastest-reacting damping systems in the industry, using sensors to continually read the road and alter the damping rate of the shocks almost instantly. It reacts much faster than traditional shock absorbers to reduce bouncing, body roll and vibrations that can often resonate in a large SUV.
Platform
The 2021 GMC Yukon rides on the all-new T1 platform, otherwise known as GMT-T1 or T1XX. The T1 is a General Motors vehicle architecture designed for pickup trucks and body-on-frame SUVs. It is the same chassis the underpins the fourth-generation 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and fifth-gen 2021 Cadillac Escalade
Production
The 2021 GMC Yukon will be assembled by GM USA at the GM Arlington plant in Arlington, Texas, USA.
Price
Pricing on the 2021 GMC Yukon will be announced closer to the official launch later this year.
Availability
We expect the 2021 Yukon to go on sale sometime during the first half of the 2020 calendar year.
Debut
The 2021 Yukon made its debut on January 14th, 2020 alongside the larger 2021 GMC Yukon XL during a special media event in Vail, Colorado.
Beyond 2021
We expect that the all-new, fifth-generation GMC Yukon will enter and remain in production for at least the 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years. The product will likely undergo a refresh after the 2023 model year.
Specs
2021 Yukon | 2021 Yukon XL | |
---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 120.9 inches | 134.1 |
Overall Length | 210 inches | 225.2 |
2021 Yukon | 2021 Yukon XL | |
---|---|---|
Leg Room - Third Row | 34.9 inches | 36.7 inches |
Cargo Room Behind Third Row | 25.5 cubic feet | 41.1 cubic feet |
Maximum Cargo Room | 122.9 cubic feet | 144.7 cubic feet |
Gallery
Discussion
Discuss the 2021 GMC Yukon in our GMC forum.
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