Which GMC Yukon XL Has What You’re Looking For?

January 12th, 2024 by

A black 2024 GMC Yukon XL is shown parked on a driveway.

If you’re looking for a GMC Yukon XL for sale, you’ve probably already checked out some of its great features and decided it has what you need. With its large size and powerful performance as one of the largest full-size SUVs that GMC has to offer, let alone one of the largest on the market, this titanic machine needs no introduction. From here, however, you still have some important decisions to make. Three engines and five trims are available for the Yukon XL, giving you tremendous freedom to find what you need in your new SUV and a dizzying amount of information to sift through. Today, we will take you through your options for the 2024 GMC Yukon XL to help you figure out what combination of features will perfectly deliver what you and your family need for your next great adventure.

Three Engines to Consider

When looking at the Yukon XL, one of the first things you should decide is which engine will best meet your needs. While it’s easy to think of engine performance as only important in sports cars and work trucks, the 2024 Yukon XL is a large SUV, and that much weight necessitates an engine with some punch. First, you have a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. This is an excellent place to start, and for many drivers, it’s all you need—but if you’re looking for more power or something special in your SUV, you have two more options.

For more power, an available 6.2L V8 engine boosts performance up to 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is an absolute monster of an engine, and it makes the Yukon XL incredibly rewarding on the road, giving you the kind of power you deserve in an SUV like this. If you’re looking for something that you won’t find in the vast majority of SUVs out there, then you can choose a 3.0L Duramax Turbo Diesel engine that puts out 277 hp and a beastly 460 lb-ft of torque. While a diesel engine is a niche option, especially for an SUV, many drivers love having this dependability and capability in a Yukon XL. Whatever engine you pick, the Yukon XL pairs your choice with a 10-speed automatic transmission for a smooth and efficient driving experience.

Two-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel Drive?

The other major performance consideration you should consider before buying your next GMC Yukon XL is which drive type you’d like it to have. Most models come with two-wheel drive (2WD) standard, but a four-wheel drive (4WD) option is available if you prefer. The two exceptions to this rule are the AT4 and Denali Ultimate trims, which are only offered with 4WD (we’ll get more into them further down). While any Yukon XL will undoubtedly give you a solid drive, you should seriously consider 4WD for a large and powerful vehicle like the Yukon XL. If you’re interested in going off-road, it’s a no-brainer, but even if you stick to city driving, you’ll prefer the kind of traction and control you get with a 4WD Yukon XL—especially for the next time it rains heavily, to say nothing of snow.

Yukon XL Trims: The SLE

Now, let’s dig into the five trim levels for the Yukon XL, starting with the SLE, which is the standard model and shows us this impressive SUV’s most basic starting features. You get the 5.3L V8 engine here, as discussed above, with the diesel engine available, and it comes with 18-inch Dark Grey Metallic wheels. You’ll find black assist steps to make getting into and out of the Yukon XL easier, with standard LED headlamps, tail lamps, and fog lamps. Also standard on the SLE are body-color heated power outside mirrors, automatic windshield wipers, and a manual rear liftgate.

Moving into the interior, you’ll find a 10.2-inch GMC Premium Infotainment system with Google built-in, featuring support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a six-speaker sound system. The SLE features cloth seating with a 10-way power driver’s seat and eight-way power front-passenger seat, along with a 12-inch color Driver Information Center display, tri-zone automatic climate control, and welcoming interior lighting. You also get the GMC Pro Safety package standard on the SLE, which includes driver assistance technology like a Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and more.

The black interior and dash in a 2024 GMC Yukon XL is shown.

Yukon XL Trims: The SLT

While the SLE is a great place to start, we have a number of upgrades available up the trim ladder, such as the SLT, which builds upon those standard features with even more. The SLT has the same engine options but comes with bold 20-inch polished aluminum wheels and a hands-free power liftgate for easy loading and unloading of your Yukon XL. Inside the SLT, you get a nine-speaker Bose sound system, perforated leather-appointed seating with heated and ventilated front seats, a 12-way power driver and front-passenger seats, and a wireless charging pad. The SLT comes with GMC Pro Safety Plus, adding onto the previous version with Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, a Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and more to help protect you and others on the road.

Yukon XL Trims: The AT4

If you’re looking for a large and powerful SUV to take off-road, there’s a Yukon XL AT4 with your name on it. Only available with 4WD featuring an Autotrac 2-speed transfer case, the AT4 comes with the 5.3L V8 engine but has the 6.2L V8 available for more power. It features a high-approach angle front fascia for better clearance and maneuvering out on the trail. You get a performance front skid plate on the AT4 with a heavy-duty air filter, external transmission, and engine oil coolers. This beast features 20-inch Carbon Grey Metallic wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, plus it has heated front and second-row seats that are perfect for taking trips into the mountains or going anywhere else you can imagine.

Yukon XL Trims: The Denali

One of the most prestigious names in luxury and a longtime staple of GMC’s entire lineup, the Yukon XL’s Denali trim features a host of incredible features for you to enjoy, inside and out. For starters, you can choose the 6.2L V8 engine or the Duramax turbo diesel, with magnetic ride control for incredible precision and handling. With bold 20-inch wheels, satin chrome bodyside moldings, and auto-dimming side mirrors, the Denali looks stunning and is a joy to drive. Moving inside, you get a 14-speaker Bose Surround with Centerpoint premium sound system, front bucket seats, a heated wrapped steering wheel, and an incredible 15-inch multicolor Head-Up Display that projects crucial driver information onto your windshield so you can easily keep an eye on it without ever having to turn your eyes away from the road.

A close-up of a wheel and Yukon badge is shown on a black 2024 GMC Yukon XL.

Yukon XL Trims: The Denali Ultimate

While the Denali was once the pinnacle trim for GMC models, they’ve recently topped themselves with the remarkable Denali Ultimate trim. You get the same engine options here as with the Denali. However, the Denali Ultimate features utterly massive 22-inch wheels, is only offered with 4WD, and features an Adaptive Air Ride suspension for an incredibly smooth, comfortable driving experience. It has power-retractable assist steps with LED perimeter lighting to make getting in and out of this Yukon XL easy, plus Vader bodyside moldings for a gorgeous appearance.

Inside, luxury goes to a whole new level with a Bose Performance Series 18-speaker sound system, a pair of 12.6-inch LCD HD screens for rear seat passengers, 16-way seats up front with massage functions, and full grain leather seating that is downright sumptuous—there’s just no other word for it. If all of that wasn’t enough, you get GM’s remarkable Super Cruise hands-free driving technology compatible with more than 400,000 miles of roads across the US and Canada. If it helps narrow down your choices, this is the best one.

Find the GMC Yukon XL You’re Looking For

As you can see, you have some important decisions to make as you look for your next vehicle, which is why it’s so crucial that you shop with a dealership that will put your needs first and help ensure you get the perfect vehicle. The Yukon XL is one of the largest and most powerful SUVs on the road and a fantastic option for families and drivers who demand the very best in their vehicles. Whether you want something for getting around town, enhancing your daily commute, or facilitating your next big road trip, the Yukon XL has you covered.