2025 GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate Review: The Top SUV, Yet Still Falls Short of $102K Value

      Subscribe to The Drive’s daily newsletter

      The latest in car news, reviews, and features.

      Do you have children? What about pets? Are you into dirt biking or do you own a boat? Do you frequently travel with backseat passengers who prefer to be entertained in complete solitude from the outside? And do you also enjoy exploring beyond paved roads? If you answered “yes” to all of these, the GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate might appeal to you. If not, you’ll be relieved to know that you don’t have to go into debt for $100,000 to own one.

      Let there be no misunderstanding: The Yukon AT4 serves a specific purpose, though it's adorned in rugged luxury. (If all you need is a basic utility vehicle, the Chevrolet Tahoe is available for significantly less.) My passengers adored the vehicle, from its massaging seats to its second-row screens and plush captain’s chairs. Personally, I don’t have kids, pets, or powersports interests, so I’m certainly not the target buyer for GM—those who would utilize the 460 lb-ft of torque from the robust 6.2-liter V8 for hauling purposes. It’s crucial to acknowledge the machine’s impressive capability, but if you don’t require it, it can detract from the overall experience.

      The Essentials

      The fifth-generation Yukon has been in production since the 2021 model year and is set for a significant update in 2025. This refresh introduces taller headlights, which visually elevate the vehicle—something it likely didn’t need, considering its already large stature. The year 2025 also marks the introduction of the new AT4 Ultimate trim, blending the ruggedness of the AT4 lineup with many luxuries typically associated with the Denali brand. The interior has been revamped, featuring a massive new 16.8-inch vertical infotainment screen, massaging full-grain leather seats with heated and ventilated “executive” second-row chairs, and a panoramic sunroof.

      The Ultimate replaces the standard 5.3-liter engine with a 6.2 V8, although a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel option is also available. This trim adds Air Ride adaptive suspension for enhanced adjustability, not standard on a regular AT4, and rides on substantial Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT tires. My colleague Byron, an authority on the issues of these 6.2-liter “L87” engines, informed me that GM has completely overhauled the engine's tooling for the 2025 model year, sparing future buyers from the risk of catastrophic failure.

      Do note that you’ll be paying a premium for all the Yukon has to offer. While a standard AT4 starts at $76,395, the AT4 Ultimate begins at a staggering $96,495, with the model tested reaching $102,280. Fortunately, nearly $6,000 in optional extras includes illuminated trim, all-weather mats, and the Midnight Pine exterior paint (which is technically green but often appears gray).

      From the outside, the Yukon resembles any other large, modern body-on-frame SUV, featuring a prominent grille that raises the hood and pushes the headlights aside. Remove the GMC badge, and it could easily be mistaken for a Chevy or, to a lesser degree, a Cadillac. The AT4 variant at least offers a redesigned front bumper that enhances approach angles and gives a sporty appearance with chrome trim that evokes bull bars, complete with red tow hooks.

      The interior is filled with features and leather, yet it doesn't evoke a sense of luxury fitting for a $95K vehicle. Quality appears satisfactory, and I appreciate the abundance of physical buttons and switches, along with the wood accents on the dashboard. The white piping on the seats and the circuit board-like texture of the upholstery might be overdone, but subtlety or refined design isn't the focus for purchasers of this vehicle.

      The Yukon AT4 Ultimate is not particularly about driving enjoyment. While there are pleasurable driving aspects—such as the effective SuperCruise with automatic lane changes, and the smooth, robust 6.2-liter V8 and 10-speed combination, which turns out to be less fuel-hungry than expected—this vehicle is more suited for passengers, and that’s acceptable.

      Activating Sport mode to stiffen the suspension helps the large SUV handle turns more confidently, but some wallowing is still present. Ideally, Air Ride’s softness would positively affect ride quality, yet even in Comfort mode, I wasn't particularly impressed. The ride isn’t excessively harsh but feels rather clunky and loud; for the price, I expected better.

      This vehicle is a truck at its essence, so I don’t hold its shortcomings against the Yukon. My main issue resides with the infotainment system. A nearly 17-inch touchscreen is appealing until you realize how far your finger must reach between the on-screen buttons.

      The row of physical switches below the screen is a smart design, as they can adapt functions