2007 GMC Yukon Denali Review | Buyer Guide
A Luxury Tow Vehicle
If you’re in the market for a full-size SUV that can tow a large boat, or perhaps a horse trailer, the GMC Yukon Denali might just fit the bill. The Denali can haul up to 7900 lbs. behind it. Furthermore, it will not only tow a lot, it will take you to your destination in the lap of luxury. The Denali is the top-of-the-line version of the Yukon.
The Denali is easy to distinguish from other Yukons, because of its bright honeycomb grille, and its polished aluminum wheels. On the inside, the Denali gets a host of standard luxury features, like Nuance leather upholstery and real wood trim on the dash, console and doors. Both front and second row seats are heated. The second-row seats are powered to fold and tumble forward out of the way for easy access to the third row. The liftgate in the rear is power operated as well. The driver can open the liftgate, or the liftgate glass, at the press of a button. Furthermore, the Denali can also be started remotely, which enables you to warm it up, or cool it down, before getting in.
The Denali seats up to seven passengers. Those up front have a commanding view of the road, which makes it easy to spot traffic problems before you actually get stuck in them. These seats are very comfortable, thanks to twelve-way power adjusters. The second-row passengers are well cared for too, with contoured bucket seats that sit a little higher than those in front. However, the third row is not a good place to be. You can see well enough, but the seat cushion virtually sits on the floor, and provides zero thigh support. Yet, when the third-row seat is folded out of the way, there’s a large, 52 cu-ft of cargo space in its place.
Instead of the 5.3-liter, 320-hp V-8 found in other Yukons, the Denali comes with a beefier 6.2-liter engine that cranks out 380 horses and a whopping 415 lb-ft of torque. However, four cylinders don’t shut down while cruising to save gas, like they do on the 5.3 engine. Gas mileage is rated at 13 city/19 hwy. I got 13.7 mpg overall. Acceleration away from a stop light won’t give you whiplash—the Denali weighs nearly three tons—but it does pulls strongly with a heavy load.
Rather than a four-speed automatic, the Denali gets a new six-speed. The transmission has a towing mode that adjusts the shift pattern to minimize shifting back and forth going up a grade, and it also selects the right gear to hold a constant speed going downhill. Furthermore, the six-speed comes with a manual mode that enables you to change gears yourself, as road conditions warrant. The only downside with this tranny is that it does a lot of gear-hunting going up hill in the standard drive mode.
Like most large SUVs, the Denali feels top-heavy and vague in its handling. The steering feels numb, and it’s hard to tell what the wheels are doing. It is not a vehicle that responds well to sudden moves. However, the brakes are strong, and well modulated. Its width of 79 inches makes it tight fitting in parking lots. But, its relatively short 39-ft turning radius makes it more maneuverable than some of its competition. Although the Denali bounces around on city streets, its smooth highway ride and quiet cabin make it comfortable to take on freeway trips.
The GMC Yukon Denali has a starting price of $48,570.
Snapshot Review
High Towing Capacity
Luxurious Interior
Vague Handling
Poor Gas Mileage
Specifications
Price $48,570
Engine 6.2-ltr, V-8
Horsepower 380
Transmission 6-sp auto
Brakes disc, ABS
Gas Mileage 13-19 mpg
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