All-new 2021 GMC Yukon Follows Tahoe, Suburban Path
On Tuesday General Motors took the wraps off the completely redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL in Vail, Colorado.
This comes a month after the introduction of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, which use the same platform as their GMC cousins, not to mention the next-gen Cadillac Escalade due to break cover on February 4.
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First-ever Yukon AT4
Hot on the heels of the Sierra 1500, Sierra HD and Acadia, the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL add a rugged AT4 trim that stands out with a number of unique design features and components for off-road driving.
Similar to the Tahoe Z71, the Yukon AT4 sports a distinctive front grille, dark chrome finishes, red tow hooks, a transfer case skid plate and 20-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires. It also gets a dedicated off-road drive mode and hill descent control.
V8 Power and a New Diesel
As is the case with the two Chevy products, the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL continue to offer a pair of naturally aspirated V8 engines, including an available 6.2-litre unit that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both feature cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel economy.
New for 2021 is a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that promises best-in-class efficiency. No matter which engine you should, however, you will get a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Refined Denali Trim
The next-generation Yukon and Yukon Denali also come with a sleeker and more refined Denali trim. Beyond the larger-than-ever chrome grille, look for a completely unique cabin with seats, controls, textures and colours not found in any other Yukon model.
Standard content includes a high-definition camera system, 15-inch colour head-up display, rear pedestrian alert and GM’s fourth-generation MagneRide suspension. Optionally, buyers can add 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, an air suspension and a new Active Response 4WD system.
The air suspension makes it possible to increase the ride height by up to 10 centimetres for off-road driving.
Space and Versatility
GMC designers developed a sliding centre console for Denali, AT4 and SLT models. It can be moved forward or backward by as much as 25 centimetres. In the rearmost position, front-seat occupants enjoy maximum elbow room.
In the regular-wheelbase model, legroom in the third row has increased by a whopping 25.7 centimetres, while trunk capacity has increased from 430 litres to 720 litres.
The 2021 GMC Yukon will arrive at dealerships this summer. Pricing has yet to be specified. The outgoing model starts at $57,398.