2026 GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon has been serving American families for decades as one rig that can do it all. Its huge interior comfortably accommodates the whole family, while its capable engines give it truck-like capabilities. The AT4 models bring rugged style with the off-road chops to match, while the Denali trims make this a bona fide luxury SUV with premium options like full-grain leather upholstery, hands-free highway driving, 24-inch wheels, and massaging seats in the first and second rows. We also love that the Yukon offers a choice of three engines: two V8s and a diesel. An even bigger GMC Yukon XL is also available, which we review separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size SUVs, including the GMC Yukon.

The GMC Yukon gets a new Key Card feature for 2026. A card that fits in your wallet can be used to lock, unlock, and start the SUV in lieu of a traditional key fob.

Since it’s somewhere between mainstream and luxury, the GMC Yukon is priced on the higher end of full-size SUVs. The lower trims are competitive with the Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer, while the upper trims with 6-digit price tags rival the Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The Yukon’s mechanical twin, the Chevy Tahoe, has a notably lower base price.

Before buying a Yukon, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. GMC Yukon resale value is above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 GMC Yukon is powered by a 355-horsepower V8 engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). This aging engine isn’t as powerful as the turbo 6-cylinder engines in its Ford and Jeep rivals, but it still has plenty of thrust and is adequate for daily family-hauling duties.

Drivers seeking more muscle for towing regularly or just because they want more oomph will be interested in the bigger 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp or the Duramax turbodiesel 6-cylinder pumping out 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. We know most of you will go for a V8, but we’re partial to the diesel, which has both the highest torque rating and best fuel economy in the Yukon’s engine lineup. GMC and Chevy are the only brands that offer a diesel in this class.

One of the reasons families love the GMC Yukon is its ride quality on long highway trips. The long wheelbase and compliant suspension (especially with the optional Magnetic Ride Control system) create a truly premium feel for the driver and passengers alike. The available Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system makes the Yukon an even better road tripper.

Fuel Economy

The standard V8 in the Yukon returns 15 city/20 highway/17 combined mpg. The bigger 6.2-liter V8 is equally efficient but requires premium gas, yielding much higher fuel cost estimates. Meanwhile, the only diesel in this class gives the Yukon up to 21 city/26 highway/23 combined mpg. That’s a slightly better combined fuel economy rating than the hybrid Toyota Sequoia.

The turbocharged 6-cylinder engines in the Ford Expedition, Jeep Wagoneer, and Nissan Armada are all more efficient than the V8s in the Yukon. The Ford and Jeep don’t require premium fuel, but the Nissan does.

If you’re shopping for a full-size SUV, space is probably important to you, so let’s start there. The GMC Yukon boasts 42 inches of second-row legroom and 34.9 inches of third-row legroom. The third row is still best reserved for kids, but has adequate room for average-sized adults.

Second- and third-row legroom in the Yukon are about the same as the Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer, but cargo space is a strength for the GMC. The Yukon has 25.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row (more than the Ford, slightly less than the Jeep) and class-leading maximum cargo capacity of 122.7 cubic feet.

The centerpiece of the Yukon’s interior is a 16.8-inch infotainment display with Google built-in. Speaking of screens, an 8-inch climate control screen in the second row is also available. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, and a few desirable interior options include Bose 22-speaker audio, a power-sliding center console, a head-up display, and Woodland Mahogany full-grain leather upholstery.

The Yukon’s Executive Seating package gives the second row first-class accommodations with heated, cooled, and massaging seats, a rear entertainment system with two screens, and a center console with wireless charging. This is a package you can’t get in the more mainstream Chevy Tahoe.

The big screen and fancy seats are terrific, but last year’s interior update we’re most excited about is the shifter’s relocation away from the awkward button layout in earlier versions of the Yukon. This SUV is now shifted via a more user-friendly stalk on the steering column.

At 17.5 feet long, the Yukon full-size SUV takes up the same kind of space as the Ford Expedition. It’s big. But we think big is beautiful in this instance. The Yukon got a midcycle refresh last year that included a revised front end and available 24-inch wheels. It helped keep this SUV looking fresh and modern.

Google built-in
The Yukon’s 16.8-inch central infotainment display is home to a Google built-in interface that’s feature-rich and user-friendly. It’s pre-loaded with our favorite Google apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Plus, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay are standard.

Air ride adaptive suspension
The perfect addition to one of the more luxurious Yukon trims. As well as the enhanced comfort, it has adjustable heights for easy entries and exits, and for things like increasing ground clearance over tricky terrain.

Super Cruise
General Motors’ hands-free adaptive cruise control now works on more than 400,000 miles of roads in North America. We’ve used this a lot in Cadillacs, and it’s now available in GMC and Chevy vehicles. It’s one of our favorite systems of its kind.

ProGrade trailering system
Plenty of Yukon owners will be happy to get some really useful help from this optional feature when they hitch up a trailer and go to the lake or wherever. It includes trailer-specific blind-spot monitoring.

Rugged AT4 models
The AT4 trim of the Yukon brings a stylish and functional appearance package plus Magnetic Ride Control and off-road tires, while the AT4 Ultimate is both rugged and luxurious with Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, Super Cruise, massaging seats, full-grain leather seats, and Bose 18-speaker audio.

Luxurious Denali models
Denali has long represented luxury in the GMC brand, and the Yukon Denali lives up to its reputation with a power-sliding center console, a head-up display, and heated/ventilated leather seats. Meanwhile, Denali Ultimate is even fancier, with Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, Super Cruise, 24-inch wheels, and full-grain leather seats.

The base engine for the 2026 GMC Yukon SUV remains the 5.3-liter V8, making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims offer the option of a 6.2-liter V8 developing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The other alternative — and a rarity for the class — is a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline-6, which delivers 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. We’re happy to report that the diesel is available in every trim of the Yukon.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is employed throughout. Rear-wheel drive is standard; 4-wheel drive is optional, or standard with the AT4, AT4 Ultimate, and Denali Ultimate. The maximum towing figure is 8,400 pounds, achieved by a rear-drive model with the 5.3-liter V8. If this is important, the Jeep Wagoneer can tow up to 10,000 pounds, while both the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia go past the 9,000-pound mark.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

GMC’s new vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical among mainstream manufacturers. The first scheduled service is also included.

Safety Ratings

This generation of Yukon has earned the top 5-Star overall rating in crash testing carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and Blind Zone Steering Assist.