The fifth-generation GMC Yukon has earned plenty of praise since it first hit the market in 2021. Lauded for its spacious design, luxurious interior, and off-road ability, the Yukon has quickly become a favorite amongst drivers and critics alike. It’s easy to understand the SUV’s wide appeal, but there has always been one notable shortcoming that limited the Yukon’s appeal in the competitive full-size segment.
The AT4 trim has traditionally represented the Yukon’s most off-road-ready model, and the Ultimate has long provided the sort of lavish luxury features that can truly elevate the daily driving experience, but the SUV has long lacked a satisfying middle ground between these two options. That all changes in 2025 as GMC unveils the new Yukon AT4 Ultimate. Combining the AT4’s off-road resume with the Ultimate’s sumptuous interior, tech, and luxury features, the Yukon AT4 Ultimate provides a compelling reason to visit your local GMC dealer. The new trim is the first AT4 model in the GMC lineup to earn the Ultimate badge.
What exactly is the 2025 Yukon AT4 Ultimate? While the real answer is “anything you want it to be,” we’ve managed to narrow it down to six options to prove just how versatile the full-size SUV can be. Read on as we explore the 2025 Yukon AT4 Ultimate and learn how GMC’s newest trim is going toe-to-toe with established luxury brands.
An Off-Road Machine
GMC’s AT4 badge carries a lot of weight in the world of off-road driving, and the new 2025 Yukon AT4 Ultimate lives up to the high bar set by previous AT4 models. The rugged trim gets off to a strong start with a set of all-terrain tires wrapped around some upsized 20-inch wheels. GMC has set the SUV up for success with standard four-wheel drive and a front skid plate that’ll help to protect the Yukon’s underbody from incurring any lasting damage from rocks, stumps, and other off-road obstacles.
The four-corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension impacts comfort and stability most. It replaces the standard coil springs with a set of variable-rate springs and gives the GMC an extra two inches of ground clearance, making all the difference when tackling the road less traveled. In addition to enhancing the Yukon’s off-road ability, the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension also improves entry and egress by lowering the SUV to a more accessible altitude.
The Yukon AT4 Ultimate features a handy hill descent control system that essentially acts like a form of low-speed cruise control, automatically applying the brakes and throttle to allow the driver to focus on steering through tight, technical stretches of the trail. An Autotrac two-speed transfer case, electronic limited-slip differential, and heavy-duty air filter round out the Yukon’s arsenal of off-road equipment, making the new AT4 Ultimate an enticing new choice for adventure-seeking drivers.
A Luxurious SUV
The Yukon AT4 Ultimate’s luxury credentials should come as no surprise to those familiar with GMC’s other Ultimate trims. As the name implies, the automaker has pulled out all the stops to pack the Yukon AT4 Ultimate with almost every luxury feature you can imagine, from full leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof to a power-adjustable steering wheel and hands-free power liftgate. If there’s one area where the Yukon AT4 Ultimate truly shines, it would have to be the seats. Heated front seats might not blow any minds in the year 2025, but add a ventilation and massage feature, and you’ve basically got a mobile spa that just happens to be equipped with four-wheel drive.
GMC has supplied the Yukon AT4 Ultimate with plenty of high-end materials that give the SUV a distinctly refined edge, whether it be the chrome accents, premium leather, or open-pore Ash Burl wood trim etched with an eye-catching topographic pattern that hints at the SUV’s off-road ability. A power-sliding center console increases front-row storage and even includes a hidden storage drawer that’s perfect for stashing your valuables.
The Yukon’s bevy of screens marks the most important addition to the cabin. A 16.8-inch infotainment display with Google Built-In capability gives drivers the power to access connected apps and personalized driver settings, while a Natural Voice Recognition feature adds convenient hands-free functionality to the mix. The SUV’s rear camera mirror ensures a consistent view of the road, no matter how packed the cabin might be. The 15-inch multicolor heads-up display (HUD) marks the Yukon’s most advanced display. This futuristic feature projects relevant vehicle information directly onto the lower windshield, allowing drivers to monitor important data, directions, and more without letting their eyes stray from the road.
A Mobile Office
Those looking to enjoy the Yukon’s ride from the second row will be able to ride in style and comfort thanks to the SUV’s optional executive seating. Perfect for business leaders looking to review some spreadsheets or join a crucial conference call while they’re chauffeured around town, the second-row executive seats let the Yukon double as a mobile command center complete with a full suite of advanced audio-visual tech.
A rear seat media system includes dual 12.6-inch HD touchscreen displays mounted on the front seatbacks. The expansive displays are equipped with two HDMI ports, enabling second-row passengers to easily connect their laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other compatible devices. The system comes equipped with a set of two-channel wireless headphones that allow passengers to either tune in to the same feed as the front seats or stream their own separate media, and it’s also compatible with Bluetooth headphones for those who prefer to use their own equipment.
Speaking of audio, the Yukon AT4 Ultimate rounds out its luxury resume with a premium Bose Performance Series sound system that includes stainless steel headrest-mounted speakers for the front row or second-row executive seats. Audiophiles will appreciate the high-fidelity listening experience that the system can provide with 22 speakers spread throughout the cabin that’ll leave you feeling ensconced in sound. The second row also benefits from its eight-inch rear touch screen climate control interface, making it easy for riders to adjust the AC to their liking without coordinating with the driver.
A Performance Beast
The Yukon AT4 Ultimate might trade on its luxurious interior and off-road equipment, but that certainly doesn’t mean that performance has been treated as an afterthought. The SUV comes packed with a standard 3.0L Duramax turbodiesel I-6 that can produce up to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough power to get the 5,600-lb Yukon up to speed quickly. It also maximizes fuel economy, earning an EPA rating of 22 MPG combined.
If you really want to unlock the Yukon’s true performance potential, or simply prefer gas over diesel, consider upgrading to the 6.2L V8, which can churn out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque without breaking a sweat. Fuel economy does drop to 16 MPG combined, but those aren’t bad numbers for a full-size SUV, especially considering the Yukon’s curb weight. You’ll also be able to tow slightly more than the standard engine, 8,200 lbs compared to 8,100 for the diesel. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that seamlessly transfers power from the engine to the wheels.
A Safe Family Ride
The 2025 Yukon AT4 Ultimate packs a full suite of cutting-edge safety features, including plenty of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
If there is one standout feature that deserves a little extra attention, it would have to be the Yukon AT4 Ultimate’s available GMC Night Vision technology. GMC has packed the Yukon with advanced thermal imaging tech, including an infrared sensor, to spot oncoming obstacles well before they can cause an accident. Perfect for low-light driving conditions, Night Vision can go a long way towards upping a driver’s confidence in low-light conditions with the ability to detect objects up to 330 feet away. The system’s infrared sensors scan the road for warm objects like animals, pedestrians, and cyclists, which are highlighted in red or yellow boxes against a monochrome display on the Yukon AT4 Ultimate’s 11-inch Driver Information Center. Automatically activated whenever the SUV’s IntelliBeam headlights are on and the vehicle is in drive, or parked with the headlights off, the Night Vision system is sure to come in clutch when trying to avoid those worst-case nighttime driving scenarios.
A Taste of the Future
In addition to being one of the industry’s most advanced hands-free driving systems, Super Cruise also happens to be one of the most well-reviewed. The Super Cruise system earned high marks from Consumer Reports, ranking second out of 17 current hands-free offerings with an overall score of 75/100. The publication singled out Super Cruise’s capabilities and performance, driver engagement, clarity, and unresponsive driver technology, but the system’s considerable coverage really caught our attention.
Super Cruise is compatible with over 400,000 miles of divided and non-divided highways across the U.S. and Canada. GM says that number will rise as high as 750,000 miles by the end of 2025. Super Cruise gives drivers access to true Level 2 hands-free driving, making it one of the most advanced systems currently on the market. The system includes a trailering function that can complete automatic and on-demand lane changes to keep you cruising down the road at a steady clip, no matter how leisurely other drivers might be moving.
Hard to Pass Up
While we’ve touched on some of the highlights of the enticing new Yukon AT4 Ultimate, we’ve barely scratched the surface. In addition to the generous slate of standard features, the luxurious, off-road-ready Yukon can also be optioned with a long list of available equipment packages that make creating a one-of-a-kind ride easier than ever. Looking to increase the SUV’s towing potential? The Enhanced Trailering Technology package is here to help, with a dedicated trailering camera and trailer assist guidelines, which are a worthwhile addition for any driver struggling to maneuver a heavy load. Exterior upgrades like the available Illumination Package and AT4 Appearance Package help to distinguish the Yukon AT4 Ultimate from the crowd, adding illuminated cargo, front and rear door sill plates, black mirror caps, nameplates, and even a distinctive red illuminated GMC emblem and an illuminated GMC mirror emblem that projects the brand’s logo onto the pavement. The Yukon AT4 Ultimate offers a blend of power, luxury, and off-road ability that is hard to pass up, especially if you’re looking for an American-made alternative to the European brands that have long ruled this particular niche.
