Only a handful of traditional full-size SUVs are available in America, and for more than 30 years, the GMC Yukon has been part of the mix. Residing in GMC’s lineup above the midsize Acadia, the Yukon checks all the large SUV boxes with plenty of room for people and cargo, strong towing prowess, and off-road capability. For the 2025 model year, the big GMC gets a significant update with revised exterior styling, a revamped cabin, and a range of new high-tech features.
Photo: Perry Stern
It's been a few years since the fifth-generation Yukon arrived in showrooms, and for the 2025 model year, GMC gives the big SUV a welcome refresh. Updates include:
GMC revamps the Yukon lineup for the 2025 model year with five trim levels: Elevation, AT4, Denali, AT4 Ultimate, and Denali Ultimate. The Elevation and Denali come standard with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive (4WD) is standard on the rest of the lineup. Prices range from around $69,000 to $104,000, plus the $1,995 destination charge.
JD Power previously published a review of the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate. This review focuses on the Yukon's updates for 2025 and how they potentially impact its overall consumer appeal.
For this review of the 2025 Yukon, GMC provided a test vehicle equipped with 4WD, Denali Ultimate trim, and the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $108,955, including the $1,995 destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealership from the GMC assembly plant in Arlington, Texas.
Over the last year, both the GMC Terrain and Acadia received styling updates. For the 2025 model year, the flagship Yukon falls in line with a look that matches its smaller siblings.
While the basic shape of the Yukon remains unchanged, the big SUV gets a refined new look with a more distinctive grille that mimics the design used by GMC’s other SUVs. Stylish new LED headlights flank the grille with signature LED running lights that give the Yukon a unique appearance at night, while the quad exhaust outlets at the rear hint at the powerful V8 engine under the hood.
My Denali Ultimate test vehicle further stood out with black exterior trim, including the large GMC logo in the center of the black mesh grille and “DENALI” spelled out below the rear window. Adding to the overall bold presence is the first use of 24-inch wheels on the Yukon, which come standard on the Denali Ultimate.
Photo: Perry Stern
While the exterior styling updates are subtle, inside the 2025 Yukon, the changes are more apparent. The completely revised dashboard features a more streamlined look, highlighted by a new 16.8-inch vertical touchscreen display that makes the old 10.2-inch screen look tiny.
Climate controls are more intuitive, integrated into the lower section of the screen, and operated via stylish buttons that line the bottom of the display. The tuning knob is gone. However, a large volume dial remains, embedded into the screen. The gear selector is now a stalk on the steering column, adding to the clean cabin design.
Plenty of storage around the front seats adds to the big SUV's utility. Under the leather-trimmed center armrest is a sizeable bin with additional space for cupholders and a wireless phone charger in the center console. An added storage space for smaller items sits above the display screen.
The Yukon Denali Ultimate gets further interior upgrades for the 2025 model year, adding to its already luxurious surroundings. The open-pore wood décor on the dashboard features etched topographic patterns that match the look of the full-grain leather trimming of all three rows of seats. Chrome accents and prominent contrast stitching add to the Denali’s upscale look and feel.
The 16-way power front seats in the Denali come with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Second-row passengers have plenty of space to spread out and will surely enjoy the new captain's chairs offered with the same niceties. A new 8-inch rear climate control touchscreen and dual-screen entertainment system are also available.
The move to a new 16.8-inch display screen is a significant upgrade for the Yukon, and it's not just a nicer design. The Google-based infotainment system takes full advantage of the increased real estate with added customization options. A configurable Home screen lets the driver choose which features appear front and center. A press of the Home button at the top left of the screen brings up a clear, easy-to-navigate list of all available features and apps.
General Motors adopted the Google-based infotainment system a few years ago, which works well. The popular Google Maps application is the default navigation system, and pressing the voice control button on the steering wheel activates Google Assistant—one of the best natural-language interfaces available. While GM is phasing out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on some of its models, the smartphone-mirroring technology is still standard on the Yukon with a wireless connection.
The 2025 Yukon also gets a new high-contrast 11-inch digital gauge cluster. The clear display is configurable to show a full navigation map, driver-assistance features, or multiple tiles showing the current audio selection, trip computer information, or step-by-step navigation directions. Additional information appears in the available 15-inch multi-color head-up display that projects on the windshield in front of the driver.
The available Night Vision is one of the most remarkable innovations for the 2025 model year. Offered for the first time on a GMC model (available only on Ultimate trims), Night Vision uses infrared to show objects ahead that emit heat, like vehicles, people, and animals. Shown in the center of the driver's display, the view allows the driver to see beyond the range of the headlights, and a yellow box highlights pedestrians and animals in its field of view.
Photo: Perry Stern
Some of the Yukon's newer rivals, like the Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada, have forgone the big V8 engine for a more efficient twin-turbocharged V6, but for now, GMC is sticking with the tried-and-true V8 engine for the Yukon. In the case of my Denali Ultimate, that would be a 6.2-liter unit putting out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. GMC also offers the Denali Ultimate with a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel, which gets an upgrade for the 2025 model year, with output increased to 305 hp and 495 pound-feet of torque.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the V8-powered 2025 Yukon Denali 4WD gets an estimated 16 mpg combined, which is very close to the trip computer's 15.5 mpg during my time in the Yukon. I recently drove the V6-powered Nissan Armada; it puts out more horsepower while delivering an indicated 19 mpg.
It may not be very efficient, but the Yukon’s V8 never left me wanting for power. The big GMC quickly moves off the line, accompanied by a pleasing exhaust note, and accelerates smoothly up to freeway speed. Cruising at 70 mph is effortless, and the Yukon is quiet and comfortable, especially with the seat massagers in operation.
Helping to create a stress-free drive was GM's Super Cruise advanced hands-free driving system. Complimentary for three years on the Yukon Denali Ultimate (it requires a paid subscription afterward), Super Cruise maintains speed and lane position with no input from the driver and will even change lanes automatically. However, the driver must pay attention to the road and be ready to take the wheel when required.
Handling is pretty good for a full-size SUV, aided by the Denali's standard adaptive air suspension. There's very little lean in corners, and the steering provides good feedback. Traction is excellent on loose surfaces or slick, snow-covered roads. However, the ride takes a hit when the road surface gets rough; the suspension bounces around on backroads in a state of disrepair or when leaving the pavement for one of the many dirt roads around Southeast Michigan. But even when ride quality suffers, the Yukon remains stable and confident on the road.
Photo: Perry Stern
The full-size GMC Yukon gets significant upgrades in design and technology for the 2025 model year, making an already great SUV even better. Not only is the cabin roomy and comfortable, but the new infotainment display and updated controls give the Yukon a high-tech vibe. The top-end Denali Ultimate adds a level of comfort and features that are on par with most luxury vehicles, but it has a price to match.
It may be one of the best full-size SUVs, but the competition isn't sitting still. Indeed, the Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada are all new for the 2025 model year. But the Yukon is hard to beat when it comes to blending comfort and capability—hallmarks of a proper full-size SUV.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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