2025 GMC Yukon hits the road in Australia
Right-hand drive versions now testing at Holden’s former proving ground as General Motors prepares US rival for LandCruiser and PatrolGeneral Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has released images of the 2025 GMC Yukon undergoing testing at Holden’s former Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria, presenting the forthcoming flagship SUV in right-hand drive for the first time.
The images, showing a lightly camouflaged GMC Yukon Denali (the model that will be sold in Australia), have emerged just days after the facelifted Yukon was teased by GM in North America ahead of its unveiling soon.
Lining up against the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Nissan Patrol and other full-size SUVs, the GMC Yukon is set to launch in Australia early next year and will undergo extensive local engineering by Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Group as part of its RHD remanufacturing program.
Indeed, that work is already well underway as you can see here, with right-hook Yukon engineering development prototypes being put through their paces at the Lang Lang proving ground in South Gippsland, which is currently owned by Vietnamese car-maker VinFast (but is up for sale again, as carsales has reported).
Showing the Yukon in off-road settings and on the high-speed bowl, the local imagery provides the best look yet at the huge American SUV that will be offered in Australia, the camouflage unable to mask key details such as the redesigned grille, bumper details, exterior lighting and rhomboid exhaust tips.
There are currently two Yukon Denali prototypes in Australia, both of which will undergo “more extensive on-road, local right-hand drive development and testing” ahead of the Denali’s release early next year.
“The GMC Yukon has been at Premoso [Walkinshaw Group] for a few months as we start gearing up the remanufacturing process,” said GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala.
“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.
“We look forward to getting customers into this premium product brought to you by GMSV.”
Based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up, the V8-powered Yukon will quite literally serve as the biggest competitor for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and soon-to-be-replaced Y62 Nissan Patrol.
The V8 displaces 6.2 litres and produces 313kW/623Nm, driving either the rear or all four wheels via 10-speed automatic transmission.
A 277kW/623Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel is also optionally available in North America and no doubt on the radar for GMSV given Australian buyers’ preference for diesel.
Pricing is expected to start from about $150,000 plus on-road costs.
Related: 2025 GMC Yukon teased ahead of Australian release
Related: GMC Yukon touches down in Australia
Related: More GMC models on the horizon besides the Yukon
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