Right off the bat, we’re grateful to GMC that it didn’t take on the styling aspects of its sibling Silverado for the all-new Yukon. Without the mish-mosh of zig-zagged styling exhibited by the Silverado the all-new 2021 GMC Yukon looks like a new generation of the short-wheelbase SUVs. Without the distraction of the overly busy bath-salts grilles, air ducts and fog lights of the misdirected design direction we’re left with GMC’s handsome Yukon SUV.

Alrighty, then. The feature you’ll hear most about is the independent rear suspension. The advantages of the ride and packaging batteries for the hybrid versions are front and center. In addition, the wheelbase has increased five-inches and overall length by six inches. So this is a larger but smoother Yukon.

You know the Denali package is top-of-the-line

You all know the Denali version of GMC products. It’s the top-of-the-line options and features add both class and cost to whichever model it is added to. For the Yukon, GMC says that 60% of Yukons sold are with the Yukon package. With the Denali option, you get an exclusive interior that includes new instrument panels and seats. You can’t get these in any other Yukon.

Four interior themes are available, each with real wood accents, LED lighting, and daytime running lamps, headlamps, taillamps, and fog lamps. Remember that in NHTSA tests that only the LED headlights have allowed vehicles with these to rate best safety scores. In 2020 you must have LED lights for the best in visibility.

The 2021 Yukon Denali has the latest safety tech

Safety tech includes the Active Response 4WD System with Magnetic Ride Control combined with Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. What all of this does is lower the Yukon at highway speeds for improved fuel economy. It will also lower for passenger and cargo loading, and level the Yukon when towing. 

The electronic limited-slip differential automatically transfers power to the wheel with the most grip for electronic torque adjustability. In off-road conditions, it acts as a locker when in low range. 

When it comes to electronics there are nine cameras for varied views of surrounding conditions. These are a forward-facing camera, a wide back-up camera, a downward-looking camera focused on the trailer hitch, a split-screen that shows both views of the side-mounted cameras, and an overhead 360-degree view that is a composite of various cameras GMC calls “Surround Vision.” 

The trim grades are more defined with the 2021 Yukon

One thing that has always bothered us is that as you go up in trim grades there is very little on the exterior that distinguishes one model from another. The Yukon AT4 has an exclusive fascia. It’s also functional as it offers an approach angle of 32-degrees when combined with the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. 

The Yukon AT4 includes a two-speed transfer case, trick red tow hooks, skid plates, hill descent control, and 20-inch wheels. Those wheels are shod with Goodyear all-terrain tires. The AT4 interiors come with a predominant jet-black concept with brandy accents. The seats are both heat and ventilated. 

The AT4 or SLT options give you more interior features

With the AT4 or SLT option, you can get a front-seat center console with a storage bin. Stowage inside of the console is also an option. Second-row passengers can be entertained by 12.6-inch screen entertainment. Third-row passengers get 35-inches of legroom which is an additional 10-inches over the previous Yukon. This is thanks to the independent suspension which affords more room including 30% more cargo room from the previous version. 

With updated styling and increased dimensions in every sector, the 2021 Yukon is absolutely an improved version of a popular member of the GMC portfolio. From towing capacity to passenger and cargo room this is a vast improvement of the previous generation of the Yukon.