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GMC Yukon XL
The GMC Yukon XL is the long-wheelbase version of the Yukon, sharing its Chevrolet Suburban platform, now in its twelfth generation since 2021. Car Smite calls 2021 the most awful Yukon year to avoid because of a staggering number of recalls, and CarWhere names 2021, 2022 and 2023 as the years to avoid, driven by engine issues. Buyers looking for reliability should favor the standard 5.3L V8 and six-speed automatic over the larger 6.2L V8 and eight-speed, CarGurus says.
What the GMC Yukon XL is
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) lists the GMC Yukon XL alongside the Chevrolet Suburban as a full-size SUV built by General Motors since 1934, the longest-produced automobile nameplate in the world, currently in its twelfth generation since the 2021 model year, body-on-frame. CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says the Yukon XL offers engine options including a 5.3L V8 (355 hp), a 6.2L V8 (420 hp) and a 3.0L diesel, competing with the Ford Expedition's 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp) and the Toyota Sequoia's hybrid 3.4L V6 (437 hp), and that the 2025 Sequoia hybrid can tow up to 8,980 pounds. See the 2025 Yukon XL page for its specifications.
Best and worst Yukon XL model years
Car Smite (opens in a new tab) says 2021 is the most awful Yukon year to avoid, with a staggering number of recalls, while the best years to buy span from 2022 onward, and that certain fourth-generation models are considered the worst Yukon years to avoid for their own reliability concerns. CarWhere (opens in a new tab) says the years to avoid are 2021, 2022 and 2023, the worst logged up to 3.5 times the model's median severity-weighted complaint rate, driven by engine failures.
Choosing an engine and year
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says models with the standard 5.3L V8 have fewer reported problems than those with the larger 6.2L V8, as do versions with six-speed automatic transmissions instead of eight-speeders, so buyers looking for a reliable large SUV should weigh engine and transmission choice as much as model year. It adds that with how many different versions of the Yukon XL have been offered over the years, it is difficult to recommend a single year or generation as the best overall.
Questions buyers ask
Which GMC Yukon XL years should I avoid?
CarWhere (opens in a new tab) names 2021, 2022 and 2023, driven by engine failures, and Car Smite calls 2021 the most awful year to avoid because of a staggering number of recalls.
Which Yukon XL engine is more reliable?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the standard 5.3L V8 with a six-speed automatic has fewer reported problems than the larger 6.2L V8 with an eight-speed.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL is built around 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel, rated at 355 / 420 / 305 horsepower across its full-size SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2025 GMC Yukon XL is published to tow is up to 8,400 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2025 Yukon XL.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 GMC Yukon XL
The Yukon XL is the extended-wheelbase version of the standard Yukon, with the same engine lineup and trim ladder and more third-row and cargo room behind the rear seats.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
1 indexed GMC Yukon XL model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 GMC Yukon XL | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the GMC Yukon XL.
The GMC Yukon XL is built alongside the Chevrolet Suburban, and public records cover the two together. Generation history, the fact box and background are on the Chevrolet Suburban page; the safety record for the GMC Yukon XL itself follows.
NHTSA rated the 2025 GMC Yukon XL overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (5 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Wheels:Hub. General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in… Consequence: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- April 2025, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may… Consequence: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- September 2024, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when… Consequence: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 GMC Yukon XL, most often about engine (16), electrical system (6), forward collision avoidance (6).
Trim by trim
Every 2025 GMC Yukon XL trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 4WD | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355 | 383 | 5,966 | – | 16 | $72,395 |
| AT4 | 4WD | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355 | 383 | 5,966 | – | 16 | $79,395 |
| Denali | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 420 | 460 | 6,107 | – | 16 | $82,695 |
| AT4 Ultimate | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 420 | 460 | 6,107 | – | 16 | $100,995 |
| Denali Ultimate | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 420 | 460 | 6,107 | – | 16 | $106,995 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2025 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Compared with
Models this GMC Yukon XL is most often compared with.
Nearest GMC models
Other GMC models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Yukon XL come in?
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL (full-size SUV) comes in 5 trims: Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate, Denali, Denali Ultimate.
Q02What are the 2025 Yukon XL trims?
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL trims are Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate, Denali, Denali Ultimate, listed from the entry Elevation up to the top Denali Ultimate.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Yukon XL use?
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL is built around 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel, rated at 355 / 420 / 305 horsepower across its full-size SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Yukon XL have?
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL is rated at 355 / 420 / 305 horsepower (5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Yukon XL?
The 2025 GMC Yukon XL is offered with RWD / 4WD.