2016 Yukon XL Denali: For those who think big
When today’s test car—a 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD—arrived, it conjured mostly fond memories of one of its ancestors.
That would be the 1978 Chevrolet Suburban we bought on the day that the Blizzard of 1978 was winding up to clobber Greater Boston. We bought it as a station wagon alternative.
Of course, that was then, when we had a driveway that could accommodate several big vehicles. And that Suburban served our young family of five well for more than 100,000 miles (a good life in that era).
Today, there are any number of other medium and large SUVs that can do what we needed in those days.
But there always will be a segment of the populace who needs the Yukon XL’s capability to carry people, their gear, and to tow a boat or trailer.
The Yukon is not the vehicle for us these days, not when we’re staying, sans grown-up children, in a condo complex with a snug parking lot.
If the truest words often are spoken in jest, one neighbor may have been serious when he said, “Maybe we could hire a couple of Smart cars to serve as tugboats to ease that Queen Mary into a parking spot.’’
“Oh-oh, the neighbors aren’t going to like you,’’ said Richard, another neighbor in the complex, one who speaks from his experience driving Chevy Suburbans. His present one is two years old. In the complex, he backs into a space where the rear can overhang some lawn so the nose doesn’t block the driveway.
A tempest of tempers was avoided when we found a space similar to Richard’s and a promise to be available “should anyone need to transport a large item’’ in the next couple of days.
I quickly became adept at backing into said parking spot on the first swing, a maneuver that also set the Denali up for a quick and easy departure.
In contrast to the parking lot, the Denali XL is a breeze to drive on the road, though you notice that it fills its lane.
INSIDE STORY: The Denali’s instrumentation comes alive with virtual gauges, a user-friendly infotainment screen, and intuitive audio and climate controls.
GMC uses the Yukon and Yukon XL designation to differentiate between the bigger and biggest Yukons. In the Chevrolet division, the Yukons’ body-on-frame siblings are the Tahoe and Suburban. In each case the biggest version (Yukon XL, Suburban) is 20.4 inches longer.
There are stories to be told about our adventures with the Denali: We helped transport chairs to our church service. We also helped clog an already congested Trader Joe’s parking lot.
All of the above is a nice way of saying the Yukon XL Denali is about as big a vehicle as you can find. It can carry seven to nine people, depending on seating configurations, with ample room for stuff. Think two adults and seven youth hockey players. There also would be room for their hockey bags (smell permitting) behind the third-row seats.
GMC takes pride in calling itself “professional grade,’’ a nice way of saying it’s an upscale brand. And it also notes that the top-of-the-line Denalis account for more than 50 percent of sales, standing out for quality behind their signature large chrome grilles.
Our ’78 Suburban cost in the $7,800 range. Our test Denali was 10 times that with a bottom line of $78,520 (after a $500 discount on the Open Road Package). It’s worth noting here that truck/SUV sales account for roughly 60 percent of the US market and are more profitable than cars.
In the Yukon XL Denali, power comes from a 6.2-liter V-8 engine making 420 horsepower and offering 460 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends that power to two or four wheels, whichever the driver selects, or apportions it as needed if the dial is set to auto.
Our test version was set up with first- and second-row captain’s chairs (the second row can fold flat at the push of a button). A front-row bench seat is available (maybe the only one I know of these days) in the base version.
The power liftgate can be operated by the key fob, by swinging your foot under the rear bumper (if you have said key fob on your person), or by grabbing the handle.
Besides the necessary rearview camera, backing-up guidelines, and rear cross traffic alert, our test Denali had a full array of contemporary safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning (with lane-keeping assist), a safety seat that vibrates when you start to cross a lane divider without signaling or get too close to something when parking.
There also is side blind-spot alert and forward collision alert with front automatic braking.
The big V-8 is fitted with fuel-saving technology so we found it necessary to “put our foot down,’’ so to speak when we wanted it to fully use that 420 hp. And it would go when needed.
Stopping was another story. You quickly learn that a 6,000-pound vehicle doesn’t stop on a dime, though the brakes are plenty strong.
The Denali comes ready to tow with a 7,900-pound capacity.
In a week of relatively tame local driving, we averaged 17.5 miles per gallon, better than we expected from the Denali’s 14 (city), 20 (highway), 16 (combined) EPA numbers with premium fuel recommended but not required. We wondered why GMC went to a capless fuel-filler, then read it was to avoid unnecessary warning lights coming on from caps that were too tight or too loose.
The interior was nicely appointed, especially up front, with quality leather and wood. An intuitive touch screen is the centerpiece of the audio/navigation system.
Our Denali had optional 22-inch wheels and tires, normally something that would result in a rougher ride, but it also had GM’s magnetic ride control which, according to the specifications, can change suspension damping in five milliseconds.
Second- and third-row passengers each have a fold-down Blu-Ray/DVD screen with wireless headphones. And second-row riders have heated seats and their own climate controls.
The power liftgate can be operated by the key fob, by swinging your foot under the rear bumper (if you have said key fob on your person), or by grabbing the handle.
Big is the operative word here. The GMC Yukon XL Denali is for the person who needs a big rig, can spend big, handle a big vehicle, and—just as important—has a place to park it.
2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4WD
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $71,940/$78,520. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 14 city/20 highway/16 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 17.5. Drivetrain: 6.2-liter V-8, 8-speed automatic, 4-wheel-drive. Body: Body-on-frame, full-size SUV.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 420. Torque: 460 lb.-ft. Overall length: 224.3 in. Wheelbase: 130 in. Height: 74.4 in. Width: 80.5 in. Curb weight: 6,009 lbs.
THE GOOD
Space, power, and towing capability, luxurious interior, contemporary amenities, safety systems, cargo space.
THE BAD
It’s a big vehicle that requires care and ability to maneuver in tight spaces; cargo floor is high for some folks to load; third-row seat sits low and is best for one adult (in the middle) and smaller folks on either side.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Yukon XL proves there’s still a place for a giant car that’s wired for today’s roads.
ALSO CONSIDER
Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition (especially the extra-length version), Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia.
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