GMC Yukon Adding An Extra Rung to the Trim Ladder

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

No, there’s no Denali Light model in the works, but there will be a new choice for buyers seeking a low-end GMC Yukon or Yukon XL. General Motors’ truck-only division apparently has a mid-year addition planned for the body-on-frame SUV that effectively creates a one-up-from-base trim.

To bastardize an old Dodge slogan — if you can handle less content at a lower MSRP, you could be Yukon material.

The new trim level sits solidly in the middle of the $8,100 gap between the entry level SLE and mid-level SLT. According to CarsDirect, order guides show the SLT Standard Edition carries an after-delivery price of $55,695 — a healthy move up from the SLE’s $50,395 MSRP, but a marked decrease from the SLT’s $58,495 sticker. Interestingly, a long-wheelbase Yukon XL in this new trim rings in at $100 less than a regular-length Yukon SLT.

If you’re a buyer who ranks seating and size over standard content, this model could be your new daydream material.

Naturally, the SLT Standard Edition carries over the same 5.3-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission seen in both the SLE and SLT, but certain creature comforts stage a disappearing act to warrant the lower price. Among those vanished goodies are a proximity key and push-button ignition, heated steering wheel and rear seats, folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators, front-seat ventilation, four-way lumbar adjustment (two-way becomes the standard), and a hands-free power liftgate.

One missing safety feature — which some buyers wouldn’t go without — is blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. As well, adaptive cruise control is no longer an option.

CarsDirect notes that the most obvious market for the new Yukon trim is would-be Chevrolet Tahoe LT buyers. While moving up to a Yukon SLT Standard Edition from the lesser Chevy sets you back an extra $1,800, you’ll still gain added features in the process.

[Image: General Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • DEVILLE88 DEVILLE88 on Apr 18, 2018

    This is pathetic, it's the same thing Pontiac was doing or trying to do. GMC is fine where it is trying to f#$k with Chevy will not end well for GMC. besides i'll take a suburban any day.

  • Buickman Buickman on Apr 19, 2018

    good idea.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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