 Click here for the Ride&Drive Index! Posted June, 2007 Road Test: 2007 GMC Yukon Denali
Yes, yes, I know, the rapidly progressing decline and fall Western Civilization is not the subject of this review. But if multiple geographic names are acceptable, why limit it to two? Why not have a Yukon Denali (our test vehicle) and a stretched version known as the Yukon Denali Texan?! And as I’ve frequently noted in this space, I've never been a fan large sport-utility vehicles. Having said that, I must admit GM builds the best ones around. Toyota's probably close, but no one's better. Recently, Ford tried to go head to head with their Excursion against Chevy's Suburban (kissin' cousin to the Yukon Denali Texan), and failed miserably. It's not often Ford Motor Company admits defeat and leaves the field of battle, but they did in this time. For 2007, the Yukon Denali is all new, which means they have all new styling for more or less the same vehicle we tested in 2005. We sympathize. It would be hard to improve on what they already had. The 2005 Yukon Denali had a 6.0-liter V8 that delivered fuel economy of 13 city, 17 highway, according to the EPA. The 2007 model has a larger, 6.2-liter engine, but gas mileage has gone up to 13 city, 19 highway. Still nothing to write home about — especially in an era of three-dollar-a-gallon gasoline — but at least they're trying. Despite its size, the Yukon Denali drives very well, even in city traffic. It’s great on the open road and doesn’t seem to mind the curves too much, either. And it is supremely comfortable. You may need a step ladder to The base price of the 2007 Yukon Denali AWD is $48,570, plus destination charges. This is actually more than a thousand less than the old model. Still, there are always options to consider. Our test vehicle had seven grand’s worth, making for a final sticker price of $55,505 (including the destination charges). The options included $2,250 for fancy sound and navigation systems, $2,000 for chrome aluminum wheels (very smart looking), $1,295 for a rear compartment entertainment system (to keep the kids occupied on those long trips), plus a few other goodies. In sum, I still think this type of vehicle is ridiculous as a passenger car substitue; most people would do better with a car or a minivan instead. If you really need a truck, though for serious hauling (trailers, boats, the national debt, etc), the 2007 Yukon Denali may be just the ticket for you. R&D
Click the "home" icon above to return to the Ride&Drive main index.
Copyright 2007 by Ride&Drive Features, All Rights Reserved |
geography. McKinley is the name we gave the Alaskan mountain Native Americans call Denali. Whatever you call it, it is NOT in the Yukon, which belongs to Canada. That would be sort of like calling it the Alberta Mt. Rushmore.
climb up into it, but once you’re there your troubles are over.