Great news: Kiwi buyers will have change from $200k when they take delivery of their right-hand drive GMC Yukons in the second quarter of 2025.
General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV), which also brings us the Chevrolet Corvette sports car and Silverado pickup-truck (a very close relation indeed to this new SUV under the skin), is now taking NZ orders for the Yukon, which is being "remanufactured" into right-hand drive in Australia.
It's coming in just one Denali specification, for $179,990. GMSV says it's "classified as an upper-large SUV, but operating in a league entirely of its own."
GMSV also claims GMC is an "all-new brand for Australia and NZ" and technically it is, although there's a family connection to the Acadia SUV sold here as a Holden from 2018 until the Australian brand's demise; it's sold as a GMC in the US. The GMC brand is generally used by GM for premium versions of SUVs and pickup trucks.
But this is on a whole other level to the Acadia. Yukon is brought to you by the number 8: it's powered by a 6.2-litre petrol-V8 engine and boasts 8 seats.
It's also a monster: 5338mm long, over 2 metres wide and riding on 24-inch machined and painted Pearl Nickel wheels. GMSV proudly proclaims it's covered in "lashings of chrome".
The big V8 is paired to a 10-speed transmission, with AWD and low-range transfer. The powerplant makes 313kW/624Nm and features cylinder deactivation, which shuts down 4 of the 8 under light load or when cruising at a constant speed. It's rated to tow 3500kg.
The chassis features adaptive air suspension with Magnetic Ride Control.
GMSV says the Denali is equipped with more than 42in of screens for infotainment and driver information.
The GMC Premium Infotainment System is in the centre console, with a 16.8in touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker surround with CenterPoint audio.
For the driver, the 11in Digital Driver Information Centre supplies vehicle data, while a 15in multicolour head-up display is standard.
The rear-seat entertainment system has dual 12.6in diagonal colour-touch LCD HD rear screens for second-row passengers.
“We expect the GMC Yukon Denali to redefine premium family transport in Australia and New Zealand, combining 8 seats, incredible cargo room, the latest in premium technology, and easy towing with an advanced V8 engine for effortless progress," says Jess Bala, managing director General Motors Australia and New Zealand.
“Like our popular Silverado, Yukon is built in America but re-engineered to right-hand-drive in Australia, delivering factory quality in right-hand drive for our markets. And that means families across Australia and NZ get to experience GMC’s flagship SUV for the first time.”
