One of several full-size SUVs made by General Motors, the 2024 GMC Yukon shares its underlying engineering and component set with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. All boast robust V8 power, three rows of seating, and ample towing capacity. Chiseled good looks, polished brightwork and a nicer interior elevate the ruggedly handsome Yukon above its bow-tied brethren, but the GMC isn't as glamorous or feature-packed as the Escalade.
GMC redesigned the Yukon in 2021 and we expect it to make some updates for the 2024 model year. Expect restyled front and rear ends, new wheels, interior updates, and an injection of fresh technology. We also expect that GMC will continue to offer an optional turbocharged diesel engine in the Yukon. If so, it could end up being the same improved, more powerful version that GMC has announced will be in the 2024 Sierra 1500 pickup.
We expect any changes to the 2024 GMC Yukon will help it to better compete with its primary rival, the Jeep Wagoneer. Like the GMC, the Jeep is a premium model attempting to fill the same niche in the large SUV segment. Other alternatives to the Yukon include the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and lower-priced versions of luxury-brand SUVs such as the Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Check out the Expert Rating below for our test team's full evaluation on the Yukon.
GMC hasn't released official information on the 2024 Yukon as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Yukon, we recommend the SLT trim level. It comes with nicer wheels, leather seats and a hands-free liftgate and provides access to appealing options like a panoramic glass sunroof, a premium sound system and additional safety features.
[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's Yukon. We expect the 2024 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] A full-size three-row SUV that can seat up to eight people, the GMC Yukon comes in five trim levels including SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate. We expect the 2024 Yukon to offer a choice between two gasoline V8 engines and a turbocharged diesel six-cylinder engine, each paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Standard equipment highlights follow below.
SLE
The base Yukon SLE starts you off with:
- 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8
- 18-inch wheels
- LED headlights
- Triple-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable front seats
- 12-inch digital instrumentation panel
- 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google integration
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
- Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
You can add options to the Yukon SLE, including:
- GMC Pro Safety Plus package
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Front-row bench seat (nine-passenger seating configuration)
SLT
The Yukon SLT includes the GMC Pro Safety Plus package and the following upgrades:
- 20-inch wheels
- Hands-free liftgate
- Leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Nine-speaker Bose audio system
- Wireless charging pad
GMC offers several options for the SLT. They include:
- SLT Luxury package
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Driver's seat memory settings
- Heated, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Heated outboard second-row seats
- Power-folding third-row seats
- Upgraded automatic emergency braking (works at higher speeds to warn if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Yukon and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Yukon and the car in front)
- SLT Premium package
- SLT Luxury package
- Panoramic sunroof
- Second-row bucket seats (seven-passenger seating configuration)
AT4
Equipped with standard 4WD, the Yukon AT4 is made for off-roading thanks to:
- Unique front bumper with improved approach angle
- 20-inch dark gray wheels with all-terrain tires
- Front tow hooks and skid plate
- Heavy-duty air filter
- Adaptive suspension dampers (help improve ride comfort and handling stability)
- Hill descent control
- Driver's seat memory settings
- Heated, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Heated outboard second-row seats
- Power-folding third-row seats
You can upgrade the AT4 with:
- Technology package
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Yukon and its surroundings in tight parking situations)
- Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
- AT4 Premium package
- Technology package
- Panoramic sunroof
- Power-retractable side steps
- AT4 Premium Plus package
- Premium package
- Air suspension (can raise or lower the vehicle's ride height)
- Electronic limited-slip differential
- Trailering technology and equipment
- Second-row bucket seats (seven-passenger seating configuration)
Denali
Upscale design identifies the Yukon Denali, which includes the SLT features plus:
- 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine
- 20-inch polished aluminum wheels
- Adaptive suspension dampers
- SLT Luxury package contents (except adaptive cruise control)
- Technology package contents
- Power-sliding front center console
- Power-release second-row bucket seats
- 14-speaker Bose audio system
Extras for the Denali include:
- Advanced Technology package
- Digital rearview mirror (can display an image from the rearview camera in the mirror)
- Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
- Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Yukon and the car in front)
- Super Cruise (uses the vehicle's advanced driver aids to further provide hands-free driving capability on select highways)
- Denali Reserve package
- Advanced Technology package
- 22-inch wheels
- Air suspension (can raise or lower the vehicle's ride height)
- Panoramic sunroof
- Power-retractable side steps
- Trailering technology and equipment
Denali Ultimate
The Yukon Denali Ultimate is the most luxurious version of this SUV and includes standard 4WD plus:
- Denali Reserve package
- Advanced Technology package (not including Super Cruise)
- Upgraded interior trim
- Upgraded leather upholstery
- Massaging front seats
- 18-speaker Bose audio system
- Rear-seat entertainment system with dual 12.6-inch display screens
Super Cruise is one of the few options available for the Yukon Denali Ultimate. With other Yukons, many of the features that are standard on the upper trims are optional on the lower trims.
Additional Yukon options include:
- 277-hp turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine
- Max Trailering package
- Trailer brake controller (helps you adjust the brakes on your trailer)
- Heavy-duty cooling system
- Two-speed active transfer case (4WD models only)
- Trailer blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot and includes trailer coverage)
- Cameras to make hitching to a trailer easier
- Enhanced Trailering Technology package
- Provides additional exterior cameras that allow you to monitor a trailer from inside the Yukon
