The 2008 GMC Yukon offered three gasoline V8 engines: a 4.8-liter V8, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8 that was exclusive to the Yukon Denali.
In more detail, the Yukon line used a straightforward engine lineup. Lower trims could be equipped with either the 4.8L or the 5.3L V8, delivering a balance of power and efficiency for daily driving and towing. The top-tier Denali trim paired with the 6.2L V8, providing the strongest performance. Horsepower and torque varied slightly by model year and configuration, and some engines featured active fuel management to optimize fuel economy.
Engine options for 2008 Yukon
Below is a concise rundown of the engines you could find under the hood on a 2008 Yukon, along with typical horsepower, torque, and trim availability.
4.8L V8 (Vortec 4800)
Displacement: 4.8 liters; approx. 302 hp and about 305 lb-ft of torque. Availability: commonly found on base SLE/Yukon trims; not offered on the Denali.
5.3L V8 (Vortec 5300)
Displacement: 5.3 liters; approx. 315 hp and about 338-335 lb-ft of torque. Availability: widely used on SLE and SLT trims; commonly paired with automatic transmissions; not used on the Denali, which uses the 6.2L.
6.2L V8 (Vortec 6200)
Displacement: 6.2 liters; approx. 380-403 hp and about 417 lb-ft of torque depending on year and AFM configuration. Availability: used on the Yukon Denali; not offered on lower trims in most configurations.
Concluding note: Engine choice in the 2008 Yukon was largely trim-driven. Base SLE models could be equipped with either the 4.8L or the 5.3L, while the Yukon Denali was equipped with the 6.2L for the strongest performance and towing capability.
Summary
The 2008 GMC Yukon offered three gasoline V8 engines: a 4.8L V8 for the base models, a 5.3L V8 for mid-range trims, and a 6.2L V8 (largely exclusive to the Denali) for the top-tier model. Power and torque varied by engine and year, with the 6.2L delivering the most performance and the 4.8L typically delivering the best fuel economy among the options.