2015 GMC Denalis: Sierra1500 and Yukon XL
As a division, GMC is one of General Motor’s shining stars, with terrific sales numbers, enviable buyer demographics and excellent profits. The Denali trim level has become a huge success too, accounting for a quarter of the vehicles on which it is offered. GMC wants to up that to one-third, and based on the excellence of the Denali-trimmed Sierra 1500 pickup and Yukon XL SUV, that goal is not far fetched at all.
Both look great with their big rig-inspired, blocky, chamfered GMC aesthetic. Detailing like polished metal trim is substantially more upmarket, too, and both Denalis have wheels that are large enough for their bodies. Interior quality has taken a quantum leap, and though Infiniti QX80 and various Rovers may have nicer cockpits than the Yukon XL, overall these are great cockpits. There are no hard plastics at eye level, the faux wood trim isn’t objectionable, miles of accent stitching cross the lovely heated and cooled leather seats and there is real brushed metal trim.
The corporate infotainment system and configurable instruments screens look great, though the former is prone to crashing when used with various Apple products. Both trucks are very quiet, with low levels of wind and road noise—all the better to let you hear the lovely V8 soundtrack.
GMC has slightly reduced the Yukon XL’s cargo room, sloping the floor so that the third row folds even with it. But it’s still gargantuan and the second row seats give greater support. The back seat in the Sierra pickup is more comfortable than that of many luxury sedans.
Wow, do both GMCs drive well, with superb magnetic damping meaning excellent primary and secondary ride characteristics and really good body control for vehicles so large and heavy. Steering is linear and accurate and the stout brakes are up to task too, and a match for the powertrain these Denalis share.
Both GMCs are laggy under a light foot, yet more pressure makes them feel like there’s actually a 460lb-ft V8 under that huge hood. A firm push through the kick-down detent by your right foot makes the new 8L90 eight-speed tranny drop multiple gears and unleashes the 6.2-liter’s 420 horses—and off the Denalis rocket, with 0-60 available in just about six seconds.
In the Yukon XL Denali we get an Escalade for more discreet types, with the Cadillac’s monster motor and performance and now with the kind of quality never before apparent in predecessors. In the Sierra 1500 Denali we have just about the nicest half-ton pickup going, a smooth riding yet robust workhorse that will outrun many performance cars yet coddle occupants like a luxury car of yore. These two GMCs provide compelling evidence why the majority of sales of vehicles over $50,000 in the US are trucks.
EPA ratings: 15/21mpg; 17mpg combined (Sierra); 14/20mpg; 16mpg combined (Yukon)
Prices as tested: $57,820 (Sierra); $77,925 (Yukon)
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