GMC Yukon 2025 review: Still big and comfortable, but speedier and sportier

Latest version of petrol-powered heavyweight has had extensive cabin refresh and a range of technical upgrades

The 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate has arrived on UAE roads. All photos: GMC

GMC describes the AT4 Ultimate as adventure-ready

The AT4 Ultimate comes with a 16.8-inch portrait-orientation infotainment touchscreen

It's smart, but still perfectly happy to tackle any terrain

The new tail light design on the Yukon

One of the Yukon's headrest speakers

Ready to rock

A wireless charging unit is now part of the centre console

The Yukon has a front skid plate and red recovery tow hooks on the front bumper

GMC has worked on the 2025 Yukon's curves to improve overall aerodynamics

GMC doesn’t do things by halves. When the US manufacturer creates a vehicle, you can bet it’ll be something with a bit of space and presence.

You know what you’re getting from the names alone – Terrain, Sierra, Canyon. These are not monikers that indicate an urban runabout. The real hefty fella in the brand’s line-up is, as most will be aware, the Hummer, but its automotive siblings are not too far behind.

Now we have the 2025 Yukon, a vehicle GMC named after the wild and sparsely populated territory in Canada. And that label gives exactly the right impression of what the car is – a big, luxury SUV, with seemingly enough space on the inside to rival your average log cabin.

The latest version, unveiled in Abu Dhabi a matter of weeks ago, still has the GMC design cues, which those familiar with previous versions would likely see as a design evolvement rather than a ground-up reworking. However, it has had an extensive cabin refresh combined with a range of technical upgrades.

Predictably, to power such a beast, you need, well … a lot of power – the new Yukon comes with either a 5.3-litre or 6.2-litre engine, both V8s.

Equally predictably, they each offer plenty of grunt. While cars like these aren’t about flatline speed, the fact the new Yukons are not underpowered is particularly welcome when you’re needing a bit of pace to join the motorway from a slip road, say. For such a fulsome car, the Yukon gives a decent sensation of speed when you get it moving.

This is unusual and evidence that the brand has made efforts to keep it a driver’s car, rather than one just geared towards carting a lot of people around or, indeed, shifting furniture from a big-time shopping session.

The key improvement in the car is the way you’re cosseted as you go around corners. Previous versions of the Yukon could sometimes feel a bit like you were driving the vehicle from your living room sofa – sliding around whenever you had to turn the steering wheel more than a few degrees – but the 2025 car has addressed this issue nicely.

Upgraded tech comes in the form of a 16.8-inch infotainment centre with a vertical interface, plus an 8-inch rear climate control touchscreen on select trim lines. GMC has also made available its first night-vision system, allowing early object detection and upping the car’s level of after-dark safety.

The AT4 Ultimate comes with a 16.8-inch portrait-orientation infotainment touchscreen. Photo: GMC

There are four trim lines available in the new Yukon: Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate (which is new to the region) and Denali.

With the onset of electric cars, traditional vehicles have had to up their game. GMC has evidently spent some time refining the 2025 Yukon to take note of this.

The car sits as the brand’s premium heavyweight petrol-powered offering and is clearly being aimed at those who still need some persuasion with regards to electric vehicles. It will also suit buyers who find a vehicle like the Hummer slightly out of their price range – the highest-spec Yukon is a considerably less expensive choice than the cheapest Hummer.

The manufacturer has done a credible job in improving the 2025 Yukon, and it remains a steady and attractive option in the big, petrol-powered SUV market.