GMC has lifted the lid on the latest Yukon. And it’s coming here as part of the GMSV line-up next year. Like the pickups, the Yukon will be ‘remanufactured’ in Australia for right hand consumption.
The Yanks call this a full-size SUV, so that must mean it’s big. And it is, measuring up at 5.33m long. Even the GM PR told us he’s not sure where you’ll park it when referencing its arrival to the Australian and NZ markets next year.
According to GM’s marketing, Yukon buyers are wealthy types but ones who are more grounded/less showy than your typical luxury car buyer. They are drawn to Yukon for both its capability and premiumness.
Along with the new Denali Ultimate, GMC has launched the off-road oriented AT4. However, that’s not for local markets, we are only getting the top-spec Denali.
This madeover model sits under the tagline ‘Made to Reign’ giving it a commanding presence. The Yukon gets a front and rear redesign, the light signatures a big deal, as are the 24-inch wheels. Inside there is a big uptick in luxury, everything from the bottom of the doors up is new. There’s open pore wood, lots of leather and fancy stitching and a 16-inch screen with tablet-style customisation. It features a new 360 degree camera and a split screen mode to help with operations. But the Yukon interior still has buttons and knobs too while the new electronic shifter on the column frees up console space.
The second row captain’s seating (as good as those in the front, they say) come complete with massaging and ventilation functions, an eight inch screen for the air con and more screens on the front seat backs. Helping you get aboard are retractable running boards.
There are more safety features, and driver assists to help with hauling, the Yukon good for 3.8 tonnes of tow. Included is blind zone steering assist which accounts for the trailer length while trailer reverse trajectory adds rearward guidelines to the reverse camera image to track the path of the trailer.
Powertrain wise, there is a 6.2-litre V8 offering 308kW and 625Nm of torque and it is paired with a 10-speed auto.
While a new 3.0-litre diesel option will become available in the US, that’s not for ANZ. GM says the platform has scope for a hybrid powertrain at some point, but there were no specifics given.
As to local pricing, expect that closer to its local arrival next year.
