2018 GMC Yukon Denali Road Test and Review

Don’t count out the full-size SUV. Fuel prices continue their historic lows, and American consumers continue their legendary desire for more. We know that we can get lighter, smaller vehicles with better gas mileage — but we still crave thirsty, powerful, heavy big SUVs.

As long as we keep buying them, GM will keep building them. In addition to a wide range of unibody (car-based) crossover vehicles, GM also has a strong lineup of body-on-frame (truck-based) sport utility vehicles (SUVs) — including the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, which are enjoying a sales boom. The Yukon Denali has received a mild makeover to help take advantage of this demand.

GMC first used the Denali name for a trim level on the 1999 Yukon. It fits with the rugged nomenclature – “Yukon” is a western province of Canada and Denali is the tallest mountain peak in North America. It was known as Mount McKinley from 1917 until 2015 when then-President Obama and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell restored the original Native American name for the mountain. Suitably, the Denali trim level is the highest at GMC, and it has spread from a Yukon exclusive to the entire GMC lineup.

Much as purists clung to the original Denali mountain name, full-size SUV enthusiasts (yes, there are plenty of them) are usually referring to the Yukon Denali when they call an SUV a “Denali.”

2018 represents a minor refresh for the Yukon, not a big change over the model that’s been on the road since the 2015 model year. A new more “sculptural” grille has replaced the old honeycomb design, bringing the Yukon closer in appearance to the other more recent Denali models.

The exterior color palette is rather muted, with two standard paint choices (Onyx Black and Summit White) and seven extra-cost treatments (Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic, Iridium Metallic, Mineral Metallic, Quicksilver Metallic and a new Satin Steel Metallic, all $395; Crimson Red Tintcoat, $495; and White Frost Tricoat, $995).

The basic layout and design of the Yukon’s interior remain the same, but there’s a more concerted effort to display authenticity in the Denali's cabin. If something looks like metal, it probably is metal, not coated plastic. If it looks like stitched leather, it is stitched leather. A new wood trim treatment features real Mastique Ash with a satin finish. The new finish replaces a gloss finish from past years and allows the grain of the wood to show through. And leather surfaces have a new, more durable finish that will keep them looking good longer. For buyers who connote luxury with quality, that’s a happy convergence.

Three interior color combinations are available, all with perforated leather-appointed seat trim: Cocoa/Dark Atmosphere; Cocoa/Shale; and Jet Black.

A big SUV demands a big engine, and the Yukon Denali comes with one of GM’s best: a 6.2-liter V8 with variable valve timing, direct gasoline injection and Active Fuel Management. The big engine is tuned to produce 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. That’s a big step up from the Yukon SLE’s 5.3-liter V8, with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.

For 2018, the Denali also gets a 10-speed automatic transmission. The new gearbox is a variant of the quick-shifting unit that debuted in the latest Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It's a conventional automatic, as opposed to dual-clutch automatics in some other vehicles. EPA fuel economy estimates are 14 mpg city/23 mpg highway (2WD) and 14 mpg city/22 mpg highway (4WD); the extended-length Yukon XL Denali is slightly worse;

The Yukon is a body-on-frame SUV, closer to a pickup truck rather than a unibody car-based crossover. Luxury buyers don’t want a truck-like ride, so GMC’s engineers work hard to keep the Denali smooth.

The SUV gets an independent coil-over front suspension and a solid rear axle with five-link location and coil springs. Magnetic Ride Control provides continuous damping adjustment with magnetic fluid that can be instantly thickened or thinned in response to road conditions. The result is a serene ride and reduced body roll. The Denali offers a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

An SUV in this category needs a technology and infotainment options that appeal to the whole load of passengers. The Denali ticks all of the boxes on the order sheet, providing navigation, premium Bose surround sound, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (with a free three-month trial) for up to eight devices, four USB outlets, a 110-volt outlet in the cargo area and more.

Wireless phone charging also comes standard, with a convenient slot in the top of the front center armrest. Active noise cancellation helps to isolate the cabin from traffic, road and engine noise. A hands-free programmable power liftgate is standard, as is a power folding and rising third-row seat. Second-row seats fold and flip manually. Power-retractable assist steps make it easier to climb up into the tall seats, supplemented by robust, well-placed grab handles.

Whether or not it’s a fact, many buyers state that their reason for buying a big SUV is safety. The commanding view from the driver’s seat is certainly empowering. GMC does its best to back up the impression with active and passive safety features. Available advanced cruise control uses radar to maintain speed and following distance, and the system includes forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

The Denali's blind-spot monitoring system includes a rear cross-traffic alert and haptic feedback that vibrates the seat to provide a warning. A standard backup camera (a must in such a big vehicle) operates through the 8-inch touchscreen at the top of the center stack.

We drove the Yukon Denali and long-wheelbase Yukon Denali XL on a series of journeys that took us from mile-high Denver to Beaver Creek, Colorado, and through some passes above 10,000 feet. The big 6.2-liter engine had no problem motivating the nearly three-ton Denali up and down hills and mountain roads, always with power in reserve, even at high elevation.

The 10-speed transmission sometimes felt a little busy on inclines, especially while using cruise control, but at all other times, it was very smooth and kept the engine in a good power band. Cruising around Vail and up to Leadville and back, it was easy to see why so many families choose a Denali for their big vacation vehicle. Not only is there plenty of space and great amenities for all, the SUV eats up the road in total serenity.

Like the peak it is named for, the Denali is at the very top of the Yukon line. Prices start at $67,460, with the XL model costing an extra $2,700 and four-wheel drive adding $3,000 to either version. 

That’s a significant level above the base Yukon SLE’s $49,375 starting price, but the Denali approaches premium levels of equipment and material selection.

The full-size SUV class is heavily competitive right now. Buyers who are considering a big SUV would be wise to drive the Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX80, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX. The Yukon's Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Suburban siblings are also worth a look. And if it’s been a while, check out the GMC Acadia, Volkswagen Atlas, and Volvo XC90 to see how far crossovers have come.

Despite the competition, the 2018 GMC Yukon Denali is close to the peak of its class, thanks to a great combination of luxury and capability.