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The big, brawny, and some think beautiful Yukon Denali is even bolder in stretched XL trim. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
That would be pre-California governator Arnie Schwarzenegger in the driver’s seat, the real Col. John Matrix even influencing the design of GM’s Tahoe/Yukon-based H2 before turning up personally to introduce it in concept form at the 2001 New York auto show. Not long after it became politically incorrect to be seen in anything so carelessly gluttonous with fossil fuels (he first ran for governor in 2003 and was elected in 2006), a photo of Arnold spinning a globe of the world on his finger with the words “Save the Planet – Or Else” on the cover of Newsweek comes to mind. His environmental scorecard wasn’t exactly Agent Orange, but then again it wasn’t anywhere near as green as predecessor Gray Davis’ agenda, or
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The Yukon makes a distinctive statement from all angles, unless you’re comparing its backside to a Tahoe, Suburban or Escalade. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Not anymore. Arnold drives an even bigger military grade Hummer H1 now, while relatively cheap gas/diesel and even cheaper money has caused a spike in the number of big SUVs leaving domestic and imported brand showrooms. Only Toyota’s Sequoia (what’s that you ask?) has taken a downturn in recent years, with every other full-size mainstream branded SUV having enjoyed their best 12 months in a very long time through 2016, if not ever. GM dominates this segment, with 10,681 Chevy Tahoes/Suburbans and GMC Yukons down the road last year, while the next-best Ford Expedition found just 3,729 buyers. Nissan’s new Armada saw considerable growth in 2016 with 716 sales, whereas the aforementioned Sequoia dropped to 697 units.
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This unique chromed grille is exclusive to the Denali. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
GMC regularly outsells Chevrolet in Canada’s the full-size SUV category, with last
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Stylish HID headlamps aren’t as sophisticated as full LEDs, the latter not yet available. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Just for fun, can you guess how many plug-in hybrids and full-electric vehicles sold during the same 12 months? Out of 30 unique offerings, U.S. sales totaled a mere 159,139 units compared to 340,329 delivers from just 7 full-size SUVs (four of which are technically the same vehicle), and that’s after baiting customers with mega government handouts. So much for the environmental movement hitting the mainstream.
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These 22-inch chromed alloys and the power retractable running boards are optional. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Don’t get me wrong. I fully respect and appreciate Arnold Schwarzenegger; I loved Hummer, especially the final H2 and H2 SUT while rock-crawling around Aztec, New Mexico in 2008; and I adore the Yukon, especially this mammoth Yukon XL, GMC’s version of the 355-mm (14-inch) extended-wheelbase Chevy
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Stylish LED taillights react quicker to brake input, improving safety. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
In fact, I might have received more compliments while living with the Yukon XL than any other vehicle this year. People absolutely love it. Rarely do I get guys stopping at the crosswalk giving me thumbs up, one even putting his hands over his heart before pointing at the grille, but this big white beast really had a positive effect on passersby. How different than being scorned by plenty more than a decade ago while at the wheel of a then-new Tahoe Hybrid. While I expected the negative SUV sentiment to increase over the years, it appears not to be the case. Instead, land yacht lovers seem to be able to openly express their enthusiasm once again, and I can understand why. The Yukon is a great looking SUV, especially in Denali trim.
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The Yukon Denali’s interior is very well finished, the hardwood inside even genuine. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
I thought you’d never ask, but now that you have the Yukon XL’s five-cycle Transport Canada fuel economy rating is 15.1 L/100km city, 10.4 highway and 13.0 combined with the base 5.3-litre V8 and RWD, while that engine with 4WD is
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The Yukon Denali provides one of the more comfortable and well equipped cockpits in its class. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
All Yukons get new active front aero shutters to improve highway economy for 2017, by the way, while additional 2017 updates include a new “Teen Driver” feature that allows some parental guidance when the big ute is out of site with kids at the wheel. Lastly, low-speed forward automatic braking is now optional on lesser models and standard with the Denali.
Other than the obvious chromed styling enhancements and larger engine, multi-speedier transmission, standard 4WD configuration, and 20-inch rims, the XL
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A mix of digital dials and a high-resolution digital colour display provides primary info. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
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The centre stack is logically laid out and attractive to boot. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
My stunning White Frost Tricoat-painted tester, an $1,195 option, was completely loaded up past the Yukon XL Denali’s reasonable $82,290 asking price, with gorgeous $3,195 22-inch six-spoke chromed “Multi-Feature Design” alloys, plus $1,920 power-retractable assist steps that neatly tuck up within the rockers to look like a nice strip of chromed trim.
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Check out the storage behind the powered infotainment screen. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
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Yukon Denali infotainment is superb. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
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The leather is particularly soft and seats inherently comfortable. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
In another nod to this truck and SUV brand, GMC uses real wood trim in the Denali, which is much nicer looking and more substantive feeling than the hollow faux plastic woodgrain found in lesser variants.
The gauge cluster is a mix of analogue and digital, the traditional tachometer and speedometer done in a conventional dual-dial design and the centre multi-information display an array of clear, bright TFT colours. Four circular ancillary gauges fill out the upper portion, while just below is a large digital speedometer providing
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There’s ample room in the second row. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
While it’s hard to find much fault with the Yukon, I experienced a couple of issues that could be improved. First, the plastic extrusion surrounding the windshield wiper’s intermittent slider switch on my tester’s left steering column stalk was so sharp it was beyond uncomfortable to touch, making me wary of the entire stalk for fear of being cut. This becomes a big problem for a control that has to be touched so often, and truly inexcusable in this day and age.
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Third row access is very good. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Normally I would also complain about a lack of soft-touch plastics in such a pricey vehicle, but such is only the case on the lower portion of the instrument panel and door panels, which is common in the Yukon’s pickup truck-based SUV class. On the positive, hard shell plastics are usually tough and durable, if somewhat prone to scratching.
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The rearmost seats provide spacious accommodations for kids and adults. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Some features you might appreciate include the aforementioned powered rear seatbacks, which while initially seeming like luxuries might actually be necessities for smaller folk. Two rocker switches on the sidewalls immediately power them down or up,
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There’s storage under the cargo floor, plus tons of space behind the third row. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
How big is it? With 1,113 litres (39.3 cubic feet) behind the third row this XL can manage 680 litres (24.0 cubic feet) more than the regular-wheelbase Yukon, which
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The rearmost seats power down, which is important because they’re impossible for someone under six feet to reach. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
If you need to tow more than 8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) you’ll need to be looking at a regular-length Yukon that can manage 200 lbs (91 lbs) more at 8,500 lbs (3,855 kg), or go with less passenger space and arguably more cargo capacity by opting for GMC’s Sierra Denali 1500 that can manage up to 9,300 lbs (4,218 kg), a regular
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How’s this for max cargo space? (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
If this were my Yukon Denali XL I’d borrow one of my significant other’s nail files and solve the left stalk problem immediately, and then find the wire that vibrates the seat and give it a quick snip, at which point it would become a near perfect full-size family/gear hauler. Even with these minor irritants, GMC’s Yukon Denali is a superb full-size SUV that’s worthy of its large and loyal following.
©(Copyright Canadian Auto Press)