First right-hand drive GMC Yukon hits Aussie roads

The first official shots of a right-hand drive 2025 GMC Yukon have been released by GMSV, which show a facelifted version of the big SUV on Aussie soil.

GMC dropped the first teaser image of the upcoming Yukon facelift in America earlier this week, which showed a new headlight design and front grille on a mid-spec AT4 model.

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Today’s pictures, however, show GMSV already has its hands on the updated model to undergo local testing and development work.

Set to launch here in the first half of 2025, the full-size GMC Yukon will be a rival for popular off-road SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.

Unlike those off-roaders, however, which use a monocoque design, the Yukon rides on a ladder-frame chassis shared with the Chevrolet Silverado.

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The Yukon will join GMSV’s growing Aussie line-up and will be converted to right-hand drive at the Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s facility in Melbourne.

Only the top-spec Yukon Denali will be sold here — meaning prices could creep higher than $150,000 — which should mean a long-list of standard features and an eight-seat layout.

“It’s exciting that another vehicle is joining the GMSV line-up – one that features a full complement of eight-seats and offers great towing capability,” said GM’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand Jess Bala.

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“Vehicle development post-remanufacturing is progressing extremely well and we’re on track to deliver the new model to customers in first-half of 2025.

“Now that the camouflage has come off, we’ll be able to embark on more extensive on-road, local right-hand-drive development and testing.”

November '23: The GMC Yukon will take on the Toyota LandCruiser 300-series in Australia from early 2025 as General Motors continues to expand its presence locally.

GM’s full-size luxury eight-seater SUV will join the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up and Corvette sports coupe in its ‘Specialty Vehicles’ stable in Australia and New Zealand.

GMSV will import the high-spec Denali model for local conversion to right-hand drive by the same Walkinshaw operation that looks after the Silverado’s switch from LHD.

It will become the first GMC on local roads since the smaller Acadia seven-seater was rebadged as a Holden in 2018 to replace the underwhelming Captiva.

Yukon competes in a busy space in North America, rivalling models including the F-150-based Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Armada (Patrol), as well as stablemates from Chevrolet, the Suburban and Tahoe.

As with rivals such as the Expedition, which is based on the F-150, the body-on-frame Yukon shares its 'T1' platform with pick-ups, including the Silverado and GMC Sierra, while featuring an independent rear suspension.

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Above and main image: Our renders of how the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali facelift may appear | Art by Theottle | © Wheels Media

The Yukon's eight-seater status will give it a distinction in Australia.

The Toyota LandCruiser no longer offers more than seven seats, while the related Lexus LX offers a choice of four- to seven-seat layouts.

The Yukon announcement was made on GMSV’s third anniversary in Australasia, with the umbrella brand’s success since 2020 – notably with 8000 Silverados remanufactured at Walkinshaw’s Dandenong facility – prompting the business-case exploration of other US models.

“We’ve had a lot of success with the Silverado here and, in talking to dealers, talking to customers, we think there’s a real opportunity for a full-size premium SUV like the Yukon,” GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala told Wheels.

“The [GMC] Yukon is a bit of an icon over in the US … It’s an amazing premium SUV.

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Above and below images: The current, 2023 GMC Yukon Denali

“It seems like the great next step for GMSV, and also just shows our commitment to that umbrella brand and constantly looking for the right portfolio opportunities for the customers here in ANZ.”

The 5.3-metre-long GMC Yukon is available with a choice of drivetrains in the US, including a 3.0-litre turbo diesel. The Australian Yukon will be powered exclusively by a 6.2-litre petrol V8 producing 313kW and 624Nm, mated to a 10-speed auto with dual-range transfer case.

The rear-drive Yukon has the highest towing rating at 3720kg, though the four-wheel-drive Denali model will still offer Aussies about 3630kg – well below the Silverado’s 4.5-tonne figure but setting a new local benchmark for an SUV.

Toyota’s LandCruiser 300, Nissan’s Patrol, Lexus’s LX and Land Rover’s Defender 130 all share a 3500kg braked towing figure.

GM says the Yukon’s towing capabilities, in addition to its eight-seat layout, will form a crucial part of its “multi-dimensional” appeal locally.

“There are not many premium SUVs that are eight seats and sit in that space of being that vehicle that a family can use to go from school to the outback in,” said GM International’s director of communications, Lauren Indiveri.

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The GMC Yukon Denali 4WD costs the equivalent of $126,000 as a starting point in the US

“This is where we see an opportunity for Yukon to really come in and sit in that GMSV portfolio – where towing is a huge part of who we are as a business – with Silverado as well, of course.

“That capability of Yukon is something special that we’re going to offer here. You still get a family vehicle, but you can also go and tow and hitch up your caravan or your boat or whatever and off you go.”

How much will the GMC Yukon cost in Australia?

With the Yukon’s arrival at least 14 months away, pricing and full specs are unlikely to come before late 2024.

The GMC Yukon Denali 4WD costs the equivalent of $126,000 as a starting point in the US. Using the Silverado LTZ as a guide – $103,000 converted and $121,000 RRP – our best guestimate is a circa-$150K price for the Denali.

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In the US, standard Yukon Denali features include 20-inch wheels, Magnetic Ride Control dampers, 360-degree camera (with up to 13 camera views in total), 15-inch head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, and a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-In.

A vast array of options includes 22-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, air suspension with extra ground clearance, and dual rear-cabin infotainment touchscreens. An optional Enhanced Trailering Tech pack incorporates extra cameras and guideline assistance.

The Yukon is also available as a longer-wheelbase XL that can hold nine occupants, though this is not planned for Australia at this stage.

Will other GMC models follow Yukon to Australia?

GM said there was potential for more US models to be imported for GMSV when asked about ute options such as the GMC Sierra full-size pick-up, Canyon mid-size dual-cab, or even the GMC Hummer electric SUV.

“I think the beauty of GMSV as an umbrella brand is that it allows us to do those more niche offerings,” said GM ANZ managing director Bala. “Niche premium offerings with different brands, because that’s how we’ve stood up that business.

“I think customers recognise that we’re bringing in the right vehicles for the market here for the customer needs. So, if it was to be down that [GMC] path or a different GM brand, there needs to be a rationale and a good customer offering behind it before we would do it.”

See our links below for more on GM's Australian offerings