2023 GMC Yukon Raises Luxury Bar With Denali Ultimate, Super Cruise
GMC is using the Yukon and extended-length Yukon XL full-size SUVs’ 2023 model year to raise the luxury bar with the all-new Denali Ultimate trim, which with late availability will also feature GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system. Unsurprisingly, the new model year and ensuing lineup changes also come at a cost adjustment: The 2023 Yukon and Yukon XL now start at $59,295 and $61,995, respectively (all pricing includes destination).
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Denali Ultimate Blurs Luxury Lines, Adds Super Cruise
Blurring the lines between itself and the Cadillac Escalade in terms of luxury, the Yukon Denali Ultimate — a trim previously introduced to the Sierra 1500 pickup truck — adds features including standard four-wheel drive and 22-inch dark chrome-accented wheels. The interior also benefits from higher-quality materials including trim-specific wood accents and leather seats.
The big draw, however, is the tech. Super Cruise makes its way to the Yukon beginning with the Denali Ultimate later in its production run. Like other Super Cruise-equipped GM models, the system allows for hands-free driving when the SUV is on a mapped section of freeway, lane changes on its own and even operation when towing a trailer. The Denali Ultimate also comes with standard Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist (it’ll be available on the Denali late). The system operates when the SUV is moving below 18 mph and will sound a tone when it finds an empty parking spot, displaying instructions for the driver on the instrument cluster or infotainment display to aid in parking.
Light updates serve the rest of the lineup. Four new exterior colors make their debut, while SLE, SLT and Denali trims now get optional 22-inch wheels. Performance hardware carries over, with SLE and SLT trims getting a standard 355-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engine or an optional 277-hp, turbo-diesel 3.0-liter inline-six; the AT4 gets the 5.3-liter V-8 or an optional 420-hp, 6.2-liter V-8; and Denali and Denali Ultimate variants get the turbo-diesel standard with the 6.2-liter V-8 available. All models have a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2023 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL are available now, and full pricing is below:
Yukon
- SLE: $59,295
- SLT: $65,995
- AT4: $72,600
- Denali: $74,700
- Denali Ultimate: $95,395
Yukon XL
- SLE: $61,995
- SLT: $68,695
- AT4: $75,300
- Denali: $77,400
- Denali Ultimate: $98,095
Rear-wheel drive is standard on the SLE, SLT and Denali, while 4WD adds $3,000; the AT4 and Denali Ultimate have standard 4WD. Meanwhile the SLE and SLT’s optional diesel engine adds $995, and the available 6.2-liter V-8 adds $2,620 to the AT4’s price, $1,500 to the Denali and $1,055 to the Denali Ultimate.
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