GMC Yukon Denali 2025 Review - International

The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali has an imposing price tag of $169,990 before on-road costs (ORCs), which means the V8-powered luxury three-row SUV is on par with a mid-spec Lexus LM ($155,976 to $217,976 plus ORCs).

Other models worth considering include the aging V8-powered Nissan Patrol ($89,620 to $105,880) and, of course, the default Toyota LandCruiser ($96,991 to $145,791).

In the US, a turbo-diesel 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder is offered in the GMC Yukon but General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV, which is General Motor’s local outfit) is clever enough to realise that by offering just one luxurious trim, the big 6.2-litre V8 will sell just on its differences – that, and the fact there’s nothing else out there that offers as much space.

Converted to right-hand drive by GMSV and Walkinshaw, the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali that will land Down Under is the regular version, rather than the XL that is offered in the ’States that measures in at a goliath 5720mm long.

We’ll have to make do with the version that is just 5338mm long, 2058mm wide and stands 1948mm tall, with an EV-like 3071mm wheelbase. That delivers loads of space in the two rear rows and allows enough leg- and headroom for even tall adults in the third row.

Since just the flagship Denali will be offered, aside from paint, GMSV will give owners little reason to visit the options list. As standard, the GMC Yukon comes with big-ticket items like height adjustable air suspension and trick magnetic adaptive dampers.

All-wheel drive is also included, as well as a two-speed transfer case and an electronic rear limited-slip differential.

When it comes to equipment, the Yukon Denali gets enormous 24-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, acoustic glass, a hands-free tailgate, a vast panoramic sunroof (with blind), power retractable steps, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, a massive 16.8-inch Google-powered infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, 15-inch head-up display, 14-speaker Bose sound system, dual 12.6-inch rear screens, tri-zone climate control, 12-way power adjust heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

Our Yukon Denali Ultimate test vehicle features 16-way power massage front seats and had another eight speakers. It also came with the costly ($3200) option of GM’s advanced Night Vision that incorporates thermal imaging to detect people or animals on unlit roads.

GMSV has yet to confirm any servicing or warranty information for the Yukon Denali but it’s thought the full-size SUV will be backed by a three-year/100,000km scheme.

The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali has yet to be crash tested by either EuroNCAP or ANCAP but is expected to perform well considering the long list of safety equipment included.

As standard the full-size SUV gets driver, passenger, side and centre airbags up front, as well as head curtain airbags that stretch all the way back to the third row.

GMC hasn’t skimped on driver-assist tech, either. There’s autonomous emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, plus an extremely handy Transparent Trailer View (that removes the trailer virtually for a better look behind), along with jackknife alert and blind-spot assist that accounts for the length of the trailer.

It’s hard not to fall for the long list of fancy new tech in the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali, from its powerful 22-speaker Bose sound system to its clear 11-inch digital instrument panel and large 15-inch head-up display.

Kids will love the rear-seat entertainment package while up front the incredible 16.8-inch infotainment system has a built-in Google operating system and on-board WiFi that allows you to download and use third-party apps like Waze.

The infotainment is fast and reasonably intuitive, although not as good as Ford’s SYNC touch-screen. At least there are very handy toggles to quickly raise and lower cabin temps.

The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali comes with just one engine option, a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that produces 313kW and 624Nm. The latter is produced at a lofty 4100rpm, which means the big American doesn’t feel quite as quick as the 5.8-second 0-60mph (0-97km/h) sprint some US magazines have recorded.

Luckily, once on the move the V8 delivers impeccable refinement and never seems to have to work hard to haul the three-row Yukon along the road. It’s a shame then the 10-speed automatic occasionally feels indecisive at low speeds and can throw in a duff change, disrupting the otherwise serene driving experience.

Officially, the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali averages 14.7L/100km (WLTP) – a long way off a LandCruiser diesel (8.9L/100km). On the mix of country roads, urban grind and fast highways we averaged around 11L/100km.

We came away impressed by that figure considering its immense size and the performance on tap, but we’ll leave it to you to decide if you could live with the inevitable high costs of running a super-sized V8 SUV.

Perched so high with great visibility and with plenty of power, it’s surprising the ease with which you can pilot a 2025 GMC Yukon Denali, even in a cramped urban area.

Initially the biggest hiccup is the width but then it’s the Yukon’s sheer length when finding a parking spot that’s the issue.

The steering is reasonably precise and light but push on and the body lean curbs any exuberance. The big GMC lacks any trick roll-cancelling chassis tech, although the grip levels from the 285/40 section tyres is impressive.

Perhaps the most frustrating element of the Yukon Denali’s armoury is its ride. It too easily crashes over expansion joins and sharp bumps – we wish it were available on much smaller 20-inch rims, which might help the air suspension cope better. Otherwise, on the highway you’ll be impressed by the soothing, relaxed and comfortable way the GMC goes about its business.

GMC promises class-best towing that is expected to exceed 3700kg.

We had a brief opportunity to drive the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali off-road but came away impressed at how it found traction in deeper sand than we expected, even on its road-biased tyres.

In the US there’s a much more rugged AT4 version that gets smaller wheels, bash plates but the same hardware as the luxurious Denali trim.

The low-ratio gearbox, 254mm of ground clearance, rugged ladder-frame chassis and on-board electrics, plus that rear electronic diff, means it should prove at least as competent as its Toyota LandCruiser opposition – but only on the right tyre and wheel combination.

Within, the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali helps go a long way to justify its towering price tag.

The feeling of spaciousness overwhelms; you feel miles away from your fellow passenger upfront and there’s loads of clever storage, from the door bins to the large, square centre console separating you.

Wherever you sit head- and legroom is impressive and there are USB ports aplenty – two type A and C up front and two type C in the second and third rows.

Dropping the third row of seats via a button creates a fold-flat surface and acres of space. GM claims a van-like 3480 litres of carrying capacity with the second and third row flattened.

Fit, finish and overall quality is impressive, and we loved our car’s open-pore wood-strip dash.

Inside, it felt expensive – which is important because it is.

Since the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali shares its platform, powertrains and tech with the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Cadillac Escalade, it’s fair to question why GMSV didn’t just bring the Caddy SUV, especially since it’s just relaunched the brand here in Australia and there’s much greater brand awareness.

The reason it didn't, of course, is the full-size SUV’s dirty big V8 would clash with the luxury brand’s EV agenda. That means GMC might have its work cut out to make an impression in a crowded marketplace that now comprises a dizzying number of brands.

Luckily the Yukon Denali’s biggest attribute, its size, means it’s unlikely to be mistaken for a Chinese EV, and be recognised as a surprisingly honest and capable, go-almost-anywhere full-size SUV for families who demand acres of space.

2024 GMC Yukon Denali at a glance:
Price: $169,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Q2, 2025
Engine: 6.2-litre petrol V8
Output: 313kW/624Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel: 14.7/100km (WLTP)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Not tested

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