GMC doesn’t do things by halves. When the US manufacturer creates a vehicle, you can bet it’ll be something with a bit of space and presence.
You know what you’re getting from the names alone – Terrain, Sierra, Canyon. These are not monikers that indicate an urban runabout. The real hefty fella in the brand’s line-up is, as most will be aware, the Hummer, but its automotive siblings are not too far behind.
Now we have the 2025 Yukon, a vehicle GMC named after the wild and sparsely populated territory in Canada. And that label gives exactly the right impression of what the car is – a big, luxury SUV, with seemingly enough space on the inside to rival your average log cabin.
The latest version, unveiled in Abu Dhabi a matter of weeks ago, still has the GMC design cues, which those familiar with previous versions would likely see as a design evolvement rather than a ground-up reworking. However, it has had an extensive cabin refresh combined with a range of technical upgrades.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Predictably, to power such a beast, you need, well … a lot of power – the new Yukon comes with either a 5.3-litre or 6.2-litre engine, both V8s.
Equally predictably, they each offer plenty of grunt. While cars like these aren’t about flatline speed, the fact the new Yukons are not underpowered is particularly welcome when you’re needing a bit of pace to join the motorway from a slip road, say. For such a fulsome car, the Yukon gives a decent sensation of speed when you get it moving.
This is unusual and evidence that the brand has made efforts to keep it a driver’s car, rather than one just geared towards carting a lot of people around or, indeed, shifting furniture from a big-time shopping session.
The key improvement in the car is the way you’re cosseted as you go around corners. Previous versions of the Yukon could sometimes feel a bit like you were driving the vehicle from your living room sofa – sliding around whenever you had to turn the steering wheel more than a few degrees – but the 2025 car has addressed this issue nicely.
Upgraded tech comes in the form of a 16.8-inch infotainment centre with a vertical interface, plus an 8-inch rear climate control touchscreen on select trim lines. GMC has also made available its first night-vision system, allowing early object detection and upping the car’s level of after-dark safety.
There are four trim lines available in the new Yukon: Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate (which is new to the region) and Denali.
With the onset of electric cars, traditional vehicles have had to up their game. GMC has evidently spent some time refining the 2025 Yukon to take note of this.
The car sits as the brand’s premium heavyweight petrol-powered offering and is clearly being aimed at those who still need some persuasion with regards to electric vehicles. It will also suit buyers who find a vehicle like the Hummer slightly out of their price range – the highest-spec Yukon is a considerably less expensive choice than the cheapest Hummer.
The manufacturer has done a credible job in improving the 2025 Yukon, and it remains a steady and attractive option in the big, petrol-powered SUV market.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
HOW DO SIM CARD SCAMS WORK?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
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FORSPOKEN
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Lexus LX700h specs
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
The%20Kitchen
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Brief scores:
Toss: India, opted to field
Australia 158-4 (17 ov)
Maxwell 46, Lynn 37; Kuldeep 2-24
India 169-7 (17 ov)
Dhawan 76, Karthik 30; Zampa 2-22
Result: Australia won by 4 runs by D/L method
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Jesus 4'
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Rating: 4/5
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Explained
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Nepotism is the name of the game
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The specs
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Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
