GMC Yukon

GMC Yukon: generations compared: what actually changed

The model is listed as six generations. Use the English labels from the data, not a count in the text.

The model is listed as six generations. Use the English labels from the data, not a count in the text.

1 generation (1992-01-01 to 2000-02-29) is the only SUV 3-doors in the set. Peak listed output is 7.5 AT at 290 hp; the 6.5 AT Diesel Turbo sits at 180 hp. Lightest measured kerb is 2000 kg on 5.7 AT 258 hp RWD; the same name at 203 hp AWD is 2329 kg. Tank is 114 L on every version. Ground clearance is 180 mm or 200 mm, not 205 mm.

2 generation (2000-03-01 to 2006-12-31) is SUV 5-doors. The unique buy here is 8.1 AT: 344 hp, 617 Nm, 8128 cm³, 42.3 hp/L — the lowest specific output among gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder versions in later generations. Tank falls to 98 L (16 L less than 1 generation). Peak 0–100 among measured Yukons of this generation is 9.5 s on 5.3 AT AWD 288 hp. Top speed, where measured, is 156 km/h.

3 generation (2007-01-01 to 2014-01-31) is the only generation with Hybrid and Variable gearbox: 6.0 CVT 332 hp. Tank rises to 119 L. 6.2 AT first appears at 385 hp. The 4-speed Automatic still covers 4.8 AT, 5.3 AT and 6.0 AT; 6.2 AT is already 6-speed. The heaviest measured Yukon in the whole catalogue is 6.0 AT AWD 371 hp at 2835 kg (gross 3901 kg).

4 generation (2014-02-01 to 2020-01-31) keeps two names only: 5.3 AT 355 hp and 6.2 AT 420 hp. Displacement of the 5.3 line moves from 5327 to 5328 cm³. Tank is 117 L (2 L below 3 generation, 19 L above 2 generation). Ground clearance is 205 mm on every listed version. The 8-speed Automatic appears only on two 6.2 AT rows (420 hp, 313 kW), not on 5.3 AT.

5 generation (from 2020-01-01, stop not measured) is the first with Diesel turbo 3.0 TD AT / 3.0 TD AT 4WD at 2999 cm³ and a 10-speed Automatic on every gasoline and diesel version. It is also the only generation with measured city / highway / mixed consumption. Kerb weight, gross weight, tank and clearance are not measured.

5 generation, restyling (from 2024-08-01, stop not measured) lists a single version: 3.0 AT, Diesel, Automatic, RWD. Power, torque, displacement, cylinders, layout, boost, gears, weight, tank, clearance, 0–100, top speed and consumption are not measured. Buying this row on the numbers is not possible; the restyling is a name and a fuel type, not a spec sheet.

Engines and specs

Use the English labels: Gasoline, Hybrid, Diesel; V-shaped; 8 cylinders where given; No or Turbo boost; Automatic or Variable; RWD or AWD.

6.2 AT 4 generation at 420 hp and 623 Nm versus 6.2 AT 5 generation at 420 hp and 460 Nm is a 163 Nm drop at the same horsepower and the same 6162 cm³. 6.2 AT 4WD 426 hp is +6 hp over the 420 hp 6.2 AT 4WD, torque stays 460 Nm. 5.3 AT 4 generation makes 519 Nm; 5.3 AT 5 generation makes 383 Nm at the same 355 hp.

Fuel octane in the English labels is 92, 95, 80, or Diesel. 7.5 AT is the only 80 row. 4 generation 5.3 AT appears on both 92 and 95; 6.2 AT there is 95. 5 generation gasoline versions are 92.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h is measured on six version rows only:

• 6.0 AT RWD, 3 generation, 371 hp: 8.0 s
• 6.0 CVT RWD, 3 generation, 332 hp: 8.2 s
• 6.0 CVT AWD, 3 generation, 332 hp: 8.2 s
• 6.0 AT AWD, 3 generation, 371 hp: 8.6 s
• 5.3 AT AWD, 2 generation, 288 hp: 9.5 s
• 5.7 AT AWD, 1 generation, 203 hp: 11.1 s
• 5.7 AT RWD, 1 generation, 203 hp: 12.2 s

On measured 0–100, the 3 generation 6.0 AT RWD is 0.6 s quicker than the same name in AWD (8.0 vs 8.6). 6.0 CVT Hybrid at 332 hp matches 8.2 s in both listed drives and is 0.2 s slower than 6.0 AT RWD despite 39 hp less. Every 4 generation and 5 generation 0–100 is not measured.

Top speed, where measured: 5.7 AT 203 hp 1 generation 168 km/h; 6.5 AT 160 km/h; 6.0 CVT 158 km/h; 6.0 AT and several 2 generation / 3 generation gasoline rows 156 km/h. 4 generation and 5 generation top speed: not measured.

Fuel consumption is not measured on generations 1–4. Only 5 generation gasoline versions have figures (L/100 km):

• 5.3 AT RWD: city 14.7 / highway 11.8 / mixed 13.1
• 5.3 AT 4WD: city 15.0 / highway 12.0 / mixed 13.5 — +0.3 / +0.2 / +0.4 versus RWD
• 6.2 AT RWD: city 15.7 / highway 11.8 / mixed 13.8 — +1.0 city and +0.7 mixed versus 5.3 AT RWD, highway identical at 11.8
• 6.2 AT 4WD (420 hp and 426 hp share the same consumption rows): city 16.8 / highway 12.4 / mixed 14.7 — +1.1 city, +0.6 highway, +0.9 mixed versus 6.2 AT RWD

Diesel 3.0 TD AT, 3.0 TD AT 4WD and restyling 3.0 AT: consumption not measured. CO2 and eco class: not measured on every version.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 180 or 200 mm (1 generation), 200 mm on some 2 generation 6.0 AT, 231 mm on several 3 generation rows (6.0 CVT, 5.3 AT AWD, one 6.2 AT), 205 mm on every 4 generation version. 5 generation and restyling: not measured.

Tank: 114 L (1 generation) → 98 L (2 generation, −16 L) → 119 L (3 generation, +21 L versus 2 generation) → 117 L (4 generation, −2 L). 5 generation and restyling: not measured.

Wheels are listed only on four 4 generation rows: 265/65 R18, 275/55 R20, 285/45 R22. All other versions: not measured.

Kerb weight, lightest to heaviest among measured rows: 2000 kg (5.7 AT 258 hp RWD, 1 generation) to 2835 kg (6.0 AT AWD, 3 generation). 4 generation spread is 2479–2688 kg. 5 generation kerb: not measured.

Gross weight peaks at 3901 kg (6.0 AT AWD, 3 generation) and 3900 kg (8.1 AT and some 6.0 AT, 2 generation). Payload where both figures exist: 5.3 AT RWD 4 generation 2479 / 3220 kg → 741 kg; 5.3 AT AWD 2588 / 3310 kg → 722 kg; 6.2 AT RWD 8-speed 2479 / 3220 kg → 741 kg; 6.2 AT AWD 8-speed 2588 / 3310 kg → 722 kg. AWD costs 109 kg of kerb on those pairs (2588 − 2479).

Power per litre and weight per horsepower

Specific output (hp per litre of displacement):

• 3.0 TD AT 4WD 281 hp / 2999 cm³ = 93.7 hp/L — highest in the catalogue
• 3.0 TD AT / 3.0 TD AT 4WD 277 hp = 92.4 hp/L
• 6.2 AT 4WD 426 hp = 69.1 hp/L
• 6.2 AT 420 hp (4 and 5 generation) = 68.2 hp/L
• 5.3 AT 355 hp (4 and 5 generation) = 66.6 hp/L
• 6.2 AT 385 hp (3 generation) = 62.5 hp/L
• 6.0 AT 371 hp = 62.2 hp/L
• 4.8 AT 294 hp = 61.2 hp/L; 278 hp = 57.8 hp/L
• 8.1 AT 344 hp = 42.3 hp/L
• 6.5 AT 180 hp = 27.7 hp/L — lowest

Kerb kg per hp (lower is stronger on paper):

• Best measured: 6.2 AT RWD 8-speed, 4 generation, 2479 kg / 420 hp = 5.90 kg/hp
• Same generation 6.2 AT RWD 6-speed 2579 kg / 420 hp = 6.14 kg/hp (0.24 kg/hp worse; the 8-speed row is also 100 kg lighter)
• 5.3 AT RWD 2479 kg / 355 hp = 6.98 kg/hp
• 5.3 AT AWD 2688 kg / 355 hp = 7.57 kg/hp
• 6.0 CVT RWD 2548 / 332 = 7.67 kg/hp
• 4.8 AT 3 generation 2390 / 294 = 8.13 kg/hp
• 6.5 AT 2055 / 180 = 11.42 kg/hp
• 5.7 AT AWD 203 hp 2329 / 203 = 11.47 kg/hp — worst among measured

5 generation kg/hp cannot be calculated: kerb is not measured.

Which version to choose

If the goal is the strongest listed gasoline Yukon: 6.2 AT 4WD 426 hp in 5 generation. It is +6 hp versus 6.2 AT / 6.2 AT 4WD 420 hp, +41 hp versus 3 generation 6.2 AT 385 hp, +82 hp versus 2 generation 8.1 AT 344 hp. Torque on the 426 hp row is 460 Nm, which is 163 Nm below 4 generation 6.2 AT 623 Nm. The extra 6 hp does not change the listed consumption versus 420 hp 6.2 AT 4WD (both 16.8 / 12.4 / 14.7). Boost on both is not measured.

If the goal is the strongest torque: 4 generation 6.2 AT at 623 Nm, then 2 generation 8.1 AT at 617 Nm, then 3 generation 6.2 AT at 565 or 563 Nm. 5 generation 6.2 AT at 460 Nm is 163 Nm behind the 4 generation peak.

If the goal is the lightest kg/hp: 4 generation 6.2 AT RWD 8-speed, 2479 kg, 420 hp, 5.90 kg/hp, wheels listed, gross 3220 kg, 205 mm clearance, 117 L tank. The same name with 6 speeds at 2579 kg is 100 kg heavier and has wheels not measured and gross not measured.

If the goal is AWD without the 6.2: 4 generation 5.3 AT AWD 355 hp is 2588 kg (8-speed-era row) or 2688 kg (92-octane row). The 109 kg AWD add-on versus 2479 kg RWD is 4.4% extra mass. 5 generation 5.3 AT 4WD adds 0.4 L/100 km mixed versus 5.3 AT RWD.

If the goal is the only Hybrid: 3 generation 6.0 CVT 332 hp, 367 Nm, Variable, RWD or AWD. It is the only version with a measured 8.2 s 0–100 and 158 km/h among hybrids. Kerb on AWD is not measured; RWD kerb is 2548 kg (7.67 kg/hp). Gears: not measured.

If the goal is Diesel: three names. 6.5 AT 1 generation: 180 hp, 366 Nm, Turbo, AWD, 2055 kg, 114 L, 180 mm, 160 km/h, 11.42 kg/hp. 3.0 TD AT 277 hp and 3.0 TD AT 4WD 277 or 281 hp: 360 Nm, 2999 cm³, Turbo, 10-speed Automatic, 92.4–93.7 hp/L. Weight, tank, clearance, 0–100, top speed and consumption: not measured. Restyling 3.0 AT: Diesel Automatic RWD; every other number not measured. On measured figures, 6.5 AT is the only diesel you can weigh; on specific power, 3.0 TD AT 4WD 281 hp wins.

If the goal is a 4.8-litre gasoline: 4.8 AT 294 hp (3 generation) versus 4.8 AT 278 hp (2 generation) is +16 hp and +21 Nm at the same 4807 cm³. Kerb 2390 kg (3 generation, both drives listed at the same mass) versus 2250 kg RWD / 2350 kg AWD (2 generation). 3 generation is heavier and stronger; 2 generation RWD is 140 kg lighter.

If the goal is 5.3 AT across time: 288 hp (2 generation) → 324 hp (3 generation, +36 hp) → 355 hp (4 and 5 generation, +31 hp). Displacement 5327 then 5328 cm³. Torque 440 → 459/461 → 519 (4 generation) → 383 (5 generation). The 5 generation 5.3 makes the same 355 hp as 4 generation with 136 Nm less.

If the goal is 6.0 AT versus 6.0 CVT: same 5967 cm³. Gasoline 6.0 AT 371 hp / 515 Nm versus Hybrid 6.0 CVT 332 hp / 367 Nm: −39 hp, −148 Nm. Measured 0–100: 8.0 s (AT RWD) vs 8.2 s (CVT). AWD 6.0 AT is the heaviest Yukon at 2835 kg; CVT AWD kerb is not measured.

If the goal is 8.1 AT: only 2 generation. 344 hp, 617 Nm, 8128 cm³, 2740 kg, 98 L, 4-speed Automatic, RWD or AWD at the same listed mass. You buy displacement and torque, not specific output (42.3 hp/L).

If the goal is 1 generation 5.7 AT: do not mix the three powers. 5.7 AT 258 hp is 2280 kg (RWD or AWD) or 2000 kg (RWD, 441 Nm). 5.7 AT 203 hp has the only 1 generation 0–100 (12.2 s RWD / 11.1 s AWD) and 168 km/h. 5.7 AT 200 hp has kerb not measured, fuel 95, 200 mm clearance.

If the goal is 7.5 AT: 290 hp, 556 Nm, 7446 cm³, fuel 80, 180 mm, weight not measured. Highest 1 generation gasoline horsepower; mass cannot be compared.

Drive choice on the same name: 4 generation 6.2 AT AWD 6-speed is 2688 kg versus 2579 kg RWD (+109 kg). 4 generation 8-speed pair is 2588 vs 2479 kg (+109 kg again). 3 generation 6.0 AT AWD is +215 kg versus RWD (2835 − 2620) and 0.6 s slower (8.6 vs 8.0). 2 generation 4.8 AT AWD is +100 kg versus RWD.

Gearbox choice: 4-speed Automatic on 1–3 generation except 6.2 AT (6-speed) and 6.0 CVT (Variable). 4 generation 5.3 AT stays 6-speed; 6.2 AT is 6-speed or 8-speed at the same 420 hp. 5 generation is 10-speed on every measured version. Restyling gears: not measured.

Problems and reliability

No failure rates, recalls, or service intervals are in the data. Reliability of any GMC Yukon version is not measured here. What is measured is the spec gap: 5 generation gasoline consumption exists, 5 generation mass does not; 4 generation mass and clearance exist, 4 generation consumption does not; restyling 3.0 AT is a Diesel Automatic RWD with almost every number not measured. A buying decision that needs 0–100 or mixed L/100 km can only use 3 generation 6.0 AT / 6.0 CVT, 2 generation 5.3 AT AWD, 1 generation 5.7 AT 203 hp, and 5 generation gasoline 5.3 AT, 5.3 AT 4WD, 6.2 AT, 6.2 AT 4WD. Every other version leaves those fields not measured.