Reader Review: 2016 GMC Yukon Denali AWD
Powerful SUV ticks all three boxes on Calgarian's shopping list
CALGARY — Exquisitely crafted garage doors are Richard Walkeden’s specialty, and so are fleet trucks and SUVs used to get the jobs done.
As a partner in Equal Door Industries, Walkeden spends plenty of time commuting around town visiting job sites – one of the company’s most memorable custom installations might be in Heritage Park’s Gasoline Alley. Equal Industries made the massive wood and glass doors that can be raised or lowered to separate the main gallery from either end of the museum.
Walkeden recently put a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali AWD through its paces, and the vehicle ticked all three boxes on his list of buying considerations.
“First, all-weather capability is important to me, so all-wheel drive is something I’d never be without,” Walkeden says. “Second, I also like to have power. Almost everything I’ve ever owned has had a V8, and I couldn’t get my brain switched over to a four- or six-cylinder engine. Third, I want something that’s very comfortable to drive and is yet somewhat utilitarian.”
Walkeden behind the wheel of the Yukon Denali
So, the 2016 Yukon Denali comes equipped with all-wheel drive; check. It also features a powerful 6.2-litre V8 engine that makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque; check. And, the new Yukon Denali now has a convenient fold-flat rear seating system and power rear liftgate to ease hauling chores. Check that, too.
Introduced in Canada with the 2001 Yukon model, the Denali badge offers General Motors’ best of the best in terms of trim and interior comfort accoutrements.
The full-size SUV is now in its third generation, having received a complete makeover for the 2015 model year. With more aggressive styling, the Yukon Denali got an eight-speed automatic transmission and the aforementioned fold-flat rear seating and hands-free liftgate.
An original Calgarian, Walkeden learned to drive his mother’s four door Ford Comet. His first car was a 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix, and many vehicles have since come and gone. He’s owned three Denali-trim GM Yukons; his last a 2012 model, plus a Sierra Denali pick up truck. Currently, his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit and his wife’s 2014 BMW 328xi make up the family fleet.
Reader reviewer Richard Walkeden stands with a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali in De Winton, Alta., on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. Shot for a reader review in an upcoming Driving section of the Calgary Herald.
“I did think the Yukon Denali looked a little boxy and slab-sided,” Walkeden says of the $86,960 vehicle he drove. Some of that price included the optional $575 crimson red topcoat. “The black cherry colour would look great on a sports car, but on that vehicle it’s a lot of red.”
After opening the driver’s door, Walkeden appreciated seeing the $1,920 power retractable assist steps slide out to aid ingress. At five feet 10 inches tall, Walkeden says it was easy to get the 12-way power adjustable captain’s chair to accommodate his frame.
“The interior is nicely finished with leather and wood inserts,” Walkeden says, and continues, “There was, however, some pretty low-cost looking plastic components – for example on the A-pillars – that I don’t think belong in a vehicle in this price range.”
Power from the Denali’s exclusive 6.2L engine was “impressive and very sufficient to propel a vehicle that size up to speed as quickly as it can,” Walkeden explains.
Reader reviewer Richard Walkeden stands with the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali
“And, the eight-speed transmission was smooth as silk, almost to the point that you forget it’s shifting up or down – it was really seamless.”
He continues, “It handled well, and the ride is really nice – until it isn’t. It’s smooth until you upset the chassis because you’ll get a bit of a truck bounce to it.”
The Yukon Denali is most at home on the highway, Walkeden says.
“It’s extremely quiet, the wind noise is virtually non-existent and there was no noticeable tire noise – I do remember wind noise being an issue around the doors on my old Yukon Denali.” The lack of wind noise, General Motors says, is thanks to new inlaid doors that fit into the body side openings, instead of over the top of the body.
In terms of utility, Walkeden suggests there is literally nothing that couldn’t be hauled in the cargo area. The power fold-flat rear seats were a nice touch, and when Walkeden demonstrated how they worked to a friend with an older model Yukon there was a bit of envy.
Walkeden checks out the 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8
He enjoyed the head-up display while driving at night, but noticed when driving during the day while wearing polarized sunglasses the information was all but hidden.
Handing back the keys, Walkeden feels comfortable recommending the Yukon Denali to a family hauling either lots of people or plenty of goods long distances, and wanting to do all of that in relative luxury.
DRIVER’S JOURNAL
Day One: First impression: it’s huge. I’ve owned a couple of these but it somehow seems bigger now. The new front end is much nicer than the last version. I took a few minutes to familiarize myself with the basics and adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel (all electrically operated, of course). There is a vast array of switches, buttons, and knobs that control more functions than you can possibly imagine. I won’t learn what they all do today.
Day Two: I’m starting to get familiar with some of the surprising features this truck has on board. Backing out of my garage the backup camera clearly shows what’s behind and helps guide you out while keeping both side mirrors attached. If you start to get near an obstruction you are warned by way of a firm thump from a device inside the seat cushion. Get even closer and it thumps you a few more times to be sure you are paying attention. Running quick errands or zipping around town through heavy traffic doesn’t seem to be the intent of this vehicle. It’s too large and cumbersome for tight parking spaces or busy narrow streets.
Day Three: I’m finally out on the highway this morning. Now this is where the Denali belongs. Cruising at highway speed is so smooth and relaxing in this truck that you have to keep your eye on your speed – 120 km/h feels quite slow. You could easily find yourself at a much higher speed while feeling perfectly in control. It also occurs to me that you could be doing this while hauling six passengers or a full size refrigerator with no problem. A long road trip would be a pleasure in this vehicle. It’s smooth and quiet, has plenty of power to pass, and the view of the road is second to none.
Day Four: All of the rear seats fold away at the touch of a button. This is a huge refinement over the previous version of the Denali where the seats had to be folded away manually, or actually removed completely if you wanted to load large items. With all of the rear seats deployed its surprising how little storage space there is behind them when you open the rear hatch. Carrying anything more than small grocery bags requires the seats to be folded into the floor.
Day Five: This is essentially a truck that has a large load and towing capacity so you can’t really expect a car like ride over all surfaces. While running around town with my wife she commented on the overall comfort and quietness, the quality of the Bose stereo, and she particularly liked the white stitching in the black leather seats. The new cabin is much more car like than previous versions. The very wide centre console curves up and into the dash and is finished in wood and stitched leather trim giving the driver and front passenger a luxury car feel.
Day Six/Seven: If you have a large family, carry a lot of gear or spend lots of time on the highway the Denali is a perfect choice. It’s a very capable vehicle that offers all the features of any high-end luxury car but can tow a heavy load or carry tons of cargo. The fuel economy was better than I expected considering the very powerful and wonderful sounding V8 engine. The Denali was a pleasure to drive and I enjoyed exploring its features and capabilities during my full week of testing.
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