2026 GMC Yukon

The 2026 GMC Yukon sits in the middle of GM's hierarchy of full-size SUVs. It splits the difference between the workaday Chevy Tahoe and the tuxedoed Cadillac Escalade. The AT4 trim offers more off-roading capability than its siblings, while the Denali trim creeps into the luxury space while retaining its macho truck-like style. Do the additional standard features justify the upcharge over the Tahoe? Do available massaging seats and an air spring suspension provide enough creature comforts without going full Escalade? Only you can decide, and we hope what follows helps you decide.

An endangered option on passenger vehicles, the Yukon's available diesel engine could appeal to drivers who tow regularly and log lots of highway miles. The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine (305 horsepower, 495 lb-ft) isn't as powerful as the available 6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft), but the diesel's prodigious torque comes on early to make towing more responsive from a stop and at low speeds. (As for towing capacity, that maxes out at 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter gas V8 and rear-wheel drive.) The Duramax diesel holds another advantage: It offers 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving with rear-wheel drive versus 16 mpg combined for either V8.

Beyond GM's compelling family of full-size SUVs, there are several other rivals to the 2026 GMC Yukon. It's more like the top grades of the Ford Expedition with the new Tremor trim rivaling the Yukon's AT4 — while the Lincoln Navigator strives to be in the Escalade class. Jeep has a similar demarcation of the classes, with the Wagoneer and the luxurious Grand Wagoneer. These boxy SUVs are slightly larger than their GM benchmarks, but at the moment neither can be had with a diesel or a V8. The Yukon also faces competition from the Nissan Armada, which is the most affordable full-size SUV, and the posh Infiniti QX80. Toyota has the Sequoia hybrid and its compromised third row and the Lexus GX and LX line of full-size SUVs.

The 2026 GMC Yukon full-size SUV builds off the GMC Sierra pickup to tow heavy loads, but instead of a bed, it has three rows of seats to haul big families. It comes in two body styles, including an XL model that's more than a foot longer than the standard Yukon for more cargo room and legroom in the third row. The Yukon is sold in Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate, Denali and Denali Ultimate trim levels.