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The V8 engine may be being phased out by other car makers, but General Motors has just introduced the V8-powered GMC Yukon Denali in Australia, offering space, luxury, and off-road capability.
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The 2025 GMC Yukon has been outlined for Australia, with the range-topping Denali spec the sole option for local buyers.
Available through GMSV dealerships – alongside the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up and Chevrolet Corvette – the Yukon Denali is priced from $169,990 before on-road costs, with GMC expecting deliveries to begin in the second quarter (April to June) of 2025.
With much of its underpinnings shared with the Silverado, the Yukon Denali is powered by a 6.2-litre petrol V8 making 313kW and 624Nm, and matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
For those who venture off-road, the GMC can be switched from 2WD Hi to either 4WD Auto, 4WD Hi, or 4WD Lo, with the SUV featuring Active Response 4WD System sending torque to each wheel for greater traction – aided by an electronic limited-slip differential and hill-start assist.
The Air Ride Adaptive Suspension also allows the Yukon to raise itself by up to two inches, helping to improve ground clearance.
Measuring 5338mm long, 2058mm wide, 1941mm high, and with a wheelbase of 3071mm, the Yukon is larger in all dimensions than a current Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – and by some margin.
It's expected the Yukon will compete directly with the LandCruiser's luxury twin, the Lexus LX, which starts at $176,061 before on-road costs for the seven-seat LX500d Sports Luxury variant.
However, seating is for eight occupants as standard on the Yukon, and provides a maximum cargo area of 3480 litres.
Also standard is a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustment, and heated rear seats.
Ahead of the driver is an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, with a 15-inch head-up display projecting key information onto the windscreen.
A 16.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen connects to a Bose 14-speaker surround sound system, and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 360-degree cameras.
Behind the front seats are a pair of 12.6-inch high-definition LCD screens, providing entertainment options for second-row passengers.
The Yukon Denali also comes with keyless entry and start, a panoramic powered sunroof – dual-pane with tilt, express open/close, and a powered sunshade – as well as auto wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, a rear camera mirror, and wireless smartphone charging.
The GMC offers a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, seatbelt alert, forward collision alert with pedestrian braking, lane-change alert, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rear pedestrian alert, seat monitoring, stability and traction control, teen driver alert, and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.
GMSV says vehicle can tow in excess of 3500kg (braked), with trailer side blind-spot alert, trailer sway control, and hitch guidance with hitch view offered as standard equipment.
On the outside, the Yukon Denali comes with LED headlights, daytime-running lights, fog-lights, and tail-lights, power-retracting side-steps, hands-free power tailgate, acoustic laminated glass, rear tinted windows, and 24-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.
Like the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up, the GMC Yukon is remanufactured to right-hand-drive by Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Melbourne.
The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali is available to order now, with deliveries to begin from the second quarter of 2025.
2025 GMC Yukon price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2025 GMC Yukon Denali standard features:
Family Cars Guide
Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.
