Get on the loud-pedal hard and this truck will pull, I have no doubt it would tow easily as well – the engine is far more than the vehicle needs to get moving briskly but I’ll never complain that there is too much power in a car. The cylinder deactivation system works nearly seamlessly as well; you can feel it switch over at lower speeds at times but very rarely can you tell at cruising speeds. That system saves fuel as well, and I was able to average a very impressive 13.7 L/100 km over the course of a week of over 900 km of driving. This also included a few trips with five passengers and a couple of 15-minute warm-ups using the remote starter.

Out on the highway the Yukon Denali eats up the miles, I spent nearly a full day in the vehicle and was never tired or uncomfortable. There is basically no wind noise or road noise to be found, giving you a very relaxing ride. In the city you would think that this large of a vehicle would be a pain but surprisingly it is easy to drive and park. I honestly do not know how GM pulled it off – according to their specifications the turning circle is 11.9 m curb-to-curb, which isn’t really great by any means. But when you park and maneuver the Yukon, it seems to easily fit anywhere you point it.

Warranty:
3 years/60,000 km; 5 years/160,000 km powertrain; 6 years/160,000 km corrosion perforation; 5 years/160,000 km roadside assistance

Competitors:
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Expedition
Infiniti QX80
Land Rover LR4
Lexus LX 570
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

So, what is the overall verdict? I certainly am not influenced as easily as the average Joe when it comes to sitting inside or driving a new vehicle, particularly in this class. I am in new and luxury cars all the time, so it takes a lot to impress. But if I’m brutally honest, I kind of want a Yukon Denali as well, it is that good.

Pricing: 2016 GMC Yukon Denali 4WD
Base Price (Denali 4WD): $76,210
Options: $8,300 (Crimson Red Tint Coat $575: Sun, Entertainment and Destinations $3,455; Enhanced Security Package $455; Power assist steps $1,920; All-weather floor mats $225; Head-up display $475; Adaptive Cruise Control $1,195)
A/C Tax: $100
Freight & PDI: $1,695
Price as tested: $86,305

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