Consider a 4th Generation Used GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon has been available for about 30 years now, and in that time, there have been a lot of great models that you can still find used. Many of our customers come to us looking for more recent used SUVs for sale, however, so we thought it would be most helpful to focus on the last few years and see what was available and what you should look for. In particular, we’re going to check out the fourth generation of the GMC Yukon, which went from the model year 2015 through 2020.

These are among the most excellent used SUVs for sale that you’ll find anywhere, regardless of if you’re shopping at a car dealership or looking at private sellers. The GMC Yukon has been quite popular, which is one of the reasons you’ll find a lot of them – and while structurally similar to the Chevy Tahoe, the Yukon offers improved comfort and sophistication. This most recent generation for the Yukon was a great one, so you can find some genuinely fantastic used models from the last few years, with a lot of the latest features you want.

Now let’s take a closer look at each year and what it had to offer.

The 2015 GMC Yukon

The fourth generation of the GMC Yukon kicked off with the 2015 model, so this is a great place to start and makes for a fantastic option when looking at used SUVs for sale. In 2015, the Yukon was completely overhauled with a new design that took advantage of its large size and with a host of features that set it apart from previous generations. For one thing, its third row of seating was available as a fold-down option rather than being removable, making it easier for you to take advantage of all the space it has to offer.

Two new engines were introduced for the 2015 model and remained the engine options on the GMC Yukon throughout its fourth generation. The standard engine was a 5.3L Vortec V8 that provided up to 355 hp and up to 383 lb-ft of torque, while the Denali trim had a 6.2L Vortec V8 engine that delivered up to 420 hp and up to 460 lb-ft of torque. While either engine is undoubtedly excellent, the more powerful engine in the Denali can’t be denied and should be your choice if you really want the most power possible from the Yukon.

As a true SUV, the 2015 GMC Yukon was built on a truck platform, so those powerful engine options also provided some great power and functionality. The substantial towing potential sets the 2015 Yukon apart from a lot of other used SUVs for sale, and that makes this a great option if you have a boat, camper, or trailer you need to tow. There were also a host of improvements inside the 2015 Yukon, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, along with numerous safety features that have become more common, such as a lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.

Three trims were offered on the GMC Yukon in 2015, so keep an eye out for any of them when looking at used SUVs for sale. The SLE was the starting point and featured 18-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an available front bench seat that allowed the SLE to offer seating for up to nine people. The other models had seating for eight people instead. The SLT trim featured enhanced safety features, heated front seats, and driver memory settings. Finally, the Denali offered the more powerful engine, as well as 20-inch wheels, trailer-brake control, and a Bose 10-speaker sound system.

The 2016 GMC Yukon

Updates for the GMC Yukon in 2016 were relatively minimal, though there are a few things worth noting. There were some impressive technology upgrades provided for 2016, including a boosted performance from the infotainment software, as well as support for Apple CarPlay. Additional safety features were also offered in 2016, including a lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlamps. The SLT trim was upgraded with a hands-free power liftgate standard, so keep that in mind when looking at different used SUVs for sale.

One thing you should be aware of is that there were some safety recalls on 2015 GMC Yukon models over an issue with the transmission oil cooler line. If you choose a 2015 model, then you want to be sure it has been appropriately serviced to remove this issue. Otherwise, choosing a 2016 model is a great way to avoid worries about this recall and still get all the great features of the 2015 GMC Yukon, plus more.

The 2017 GMC Yukon

Updates for 2017 were quite small on the GMC Yukon, mostly involving some changes to available colors, which is probably not your primary concern when looking at used SUVs for sale. All models received front active aero shutters as standard features, which are designed to help improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle and boost cooling while driving at high speeds. The interior heated and cooled seats were replaced with heated and vented seats, and there were some changes to interior lighting as well.

A heads up display became standard on the Denali starting in 2017, so if you’re looking for that trim, then that could be worth choosing a 2017 model over a 2016 one. Some other improvements were made to the interior technology, including more options for a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2018 GMC Yukon

Changes for the 2018 Yukon were similarly sparse, if not even more so. Perhaps the most significant change for 2018 was to the Denali, which received a new 10-speed automatic transmission that replaced its 8-speed automatic. The Denali also received a new sculpted grille and a Mastique Ash wood trim – but the improvement to the transmission is the real noteworthy change for 2018. If you’re not interested in a Denali model, however, then there isn’t much reason to choose 2018 over 2017, and you should prioritize the model that has all the features you want.

The 2019 GMC Yukon

The 2019 GMC Yukon saw the addition of two new packages for the SLT trim, which is a pretty minor change overall. The Graphite Edition provided a blackout appearance option with 22-inch wheels, while the Graphite Performance Edition provided the SLT trim with the Denali’s 6.2L V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, with a heads up display and magnetic ride control for a more impressive overall driving experience. So if you want some of the performance of the Denali without everything that comes with that higher trim, look for this package on an SLT from 2019.

The 2020 GMC Yukon

As 2020 closed out the fourth generation of the GMC Yukon, there were almost no real changes made to it. In essence, if you’re trying to decide between a 2020 and 2019 model, go with the one that has the features you need – since they are mostly identical. When shopping used SUVs for sale, this could mean you should choose a 2019 model for a lower price, though a 2020 GMC Yukon could have fewer miles on it.

Now that you have a sense of what the fourth generation of the GMC Yukon has to offer, let us help you find the perfect model. Call or visit us at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, and we will work with you to get you a vehicle with everything you need.