GMC Yukon gets $5000 price hike before Australian deliveries begin

Australian buyers of the GMC Yukon will be forced to fork out an extra $5000 for the V8-powered SUV, after a price increase was handed out just weeks before local deliveries begin next month.

GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed the Yukon, which is only available in a single Denali trim grade, will retail from $174,990 before on-road costs (up from $169,190 plus on-roads).

The price hike has been attributed to economic factors associated with bringing the US-built vehicle Down Under.

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“Due to ongoing foreign exchange rate volatility and cost increases, we have needed to review our pricing”, a spokesperson for GM ANZ told CarExpert.

GMSV is responsible for selling the Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado pickup, and Chevrolet Corvette sports car in Australia, all of which are built stateside.

The Corvette is manufactured in the US in right-hand drive for international markets, while the Yukon and Silverado are converted from left-hand drive in Melbourne by Walkinshaw Automotive.

It’s unclear whether other models in the local GM stable will be hit with similar price rises.

The Yukon Denali is the first GMC vehicle that General Motors is bringing to Australia, where RHD vehicle engineering and production has now commenced ahead of first customer deliveries in May.

It packs a direct-injected, naturally aspirated 6.2-litre petrol V8 with cylinder deactivation that’s good for 313kW and 624Nm, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Power is sent to all four wheels via an electronic limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case with 2WD Hi, 4WD Auto, 4WD Hi and 4WD Low modes. a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Yukon Denali rides on Air Ride adaptive suspension with GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, adaptive suspension technology also used by brands like Ferrari, which features dampers with magnetorheological fluid.

Heavy-duty hauling is possible thanks to the Yukon’s 3500kg braked towing capacity, while it also boasts trailer sway control and blind-spot monitoring with trailer support.

Inside, the Yukon Denali promises a luxurious experience with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 16.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, 11-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, and dual 12.6-inch rear screens.

Rivals for the eight-seat Yukon Denali include the Lexus LX, BMW X7, Range Rover, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

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