2000-2006 GMC Yukon/Denali: Year-to-Year Changes

2001 GMC Yukon: Previously on the old platform, the upscale Denali wagon moved to the 2000 version and, for the first time came in an extended-length XL version. Offered only in half-ton capacity, Denalis had slightly different styling, 17-inch wheels (instead of 16-inch), an Autoride system with auto-adjusting shock absorbers, leather interior trim, and premium Bose stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer. A third-row bench seat was standard in XLs and Denalis, optional for regular Yukons. Second-row reclining buckets were available for XLs, while heated front seats were standard in the Denali and optional elsewhere. Both Denali wagons got the 6.0-liter V8, which gained 20 horsepower this year. A new 8.1-liter V8 was optional for the Yukon XL 2500. Denalis had a new permanent 4WD system that needed no driver intervention.

2002 GMC Yukon: For 2002, front and rear automatic climate controls were newly standard on Yukons, and 2WD versions got standard limited-slip rear differential and traction control. Denalis for '02 added heated 2nd-row seats to the already-standard heated front seats, plus load-leveling rear suspension. All models had GM's Tow/Haul mode, which got revisions for 2002 designed to improve durability.

2003 GMC Yukon: Front side airbags moved to the options list. GM's Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering was a new option for all XL 2500s. At low speeds, Quadrasteer turns the rear wheels opposite the fronts to reduce the turning radius. At higher speeds, all wheels turn in the same direction to enhance stability. Power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals were newly standard for Denalis and optional for Yukons. A multizone automatic climate system with front/rear controls was newly standard on Denalis and optional on Yukons. Newly optional are rear-seat DVD entertainment and XM satellite-radio service with 100-channel digital receiver.

2004 GMC Yukon: New for 2004 on the Yukon/Denali is a standard tire-pressure monitor.

2005 GMC Yukon: All models have a rear liftgate for '05; side-opening cargo doors are no longer available. Denalis have a 6.0-liter V8 with 335 hp, up 10 hp for '05. GM's Stabilitrak antiskid system became standard for Yukon 1500 and Denali models during the '05 model year; it is not available for Yukon 2500. Yukons get standard 16-inch wheels or optional 17s. Chrome-finished 20-inch alloy wheels are newly available for Denalis.

2006 GMC Yukon: No significant changes in '06.