The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali 4WD Ultimate Edition SUV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: Who is GMC? General Motors was growing quickly in 1909 and brought Rapid Trucks fully under the corporate umbrella, the same year that a Rapid truck made headlines by climbing to the top of Pike’s Peak. GMC was founded on July 22, 1911. The GMC logo, which stands for General Motors Company, was first seen on GMC trucks in 1912, and it is a fully owned subsidiary of GM General Motors.
The GMC nameplate made its first appearance at the New York Auto Show in 1912, and it did not take long for the company to start earning attention. In 1916, William Warwick and his wife drove their 1.5 ton GMC truck from New York to Seattle and back, making GMC the first truck to cross the country in less than 32 days.
GMC trucks are targeted toward professionals more than Chevy trucks are. If you need a truck with better towing and hauling, and more features that will support you while you work, GMC is the better choice. Chevy trucks appeal more to mass market buyers and recreational pickup drivers. GMC builds and sells only trucks, crossovers, and SUV sport utility vehicles.
The new 2021 GMC Yukon SUV starts at $51,995, and the extended wheelbase Yukon XL SUV starts at $54,595. Trim levels include SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali, with fully loaded models costing upwards of $80,000. The Denali name first appeared in 1997, when GMC unveiled the Yukon Denali show vehicle.
This week GMC sent me a 2021 Yukon Denali 4WD Ultimate Edition SUV with a base price of $71,400 to test drive and review. The options on this model are: The Ultimate Denali Equipment Package for $11,255, the Metallic Paint for $495, and the power sliding center floor console with a pull out drawer for $350. The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price,
including the $1,295 destination charge, minus the $1,000 Denali Ultimate Package savings credit, came to: $83,795.
The Ultimate Edition starts with a 6.2L liter Ecotec3 V/8 gas engine bolted to a GM 10 speed automatic transmission, and routed thru a 4WD 4 wheel drive system with a 2 speed transfer case. The engine is rated at a peak 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, which are relatively high output ratings for a naturally aspirated engine that displaces only 376 cubic inches.
Then add in Magnetic Ride Control, Hill Descent Control, Stabilitrak with Electronic Precision Shift, and Trailering Equipment Stability Controls. Combined these performance, mechanical and electronic systems work in harmony to keep you, your family, and the towing load under complete control 100% of the time. With these options in the 4WD models you can haul cargo up to 9,600 lbs in towing capacity.
This is a top of the line GMC luxury SUV that costs just over $94K out the door, including local and state sales tax, dealer prep, license plates and registration fees. The luxury SUV class has
several big name contenders competing for your hard earned cash. They are, in no particular order, the: Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes Benz GLS, BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX, and Yukon’s big brother, and much more expensive, Cadillac Escalade.
To compete in this class you have to bring your best game to the table. The Yukon Denali Ultimate Edition does that in spades. The Ultimate Edition package includes: The rear seat media system with 12.6” color touch LCD screens, power retractable side steps with perimeter lighting, a panoramic dual pane power sunroof, 22” bright machined aluminum wheels, an air ride adaptive suspension system, enhanced automatic emergency braking, a rear camera mirror with washer, a prograde trailing system, a trailer brake controller, and an advanced security system, plus more cool options in the Ultimate package.
With a super smooth ride, a powerful engine and 4WD four wheel drive, the Ultimate Edition continues with: a full leather interior, a 14 speaker premium Bose Audio system, a 10.2 HD color center stack display screen with voice recognition, Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, and HUD heads up display. Now this SUV has everything it needs to be the leader in its class. You can spend more money, but you can not buy a better luxury full size SUV than this, for the price.
When you’re ready for a new SUV the Yukon Denali should be on your ride and drive list, as it is one of the best full size luxury SUVS on the market today. Call, click or visit your local GMC dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the all-new for 2021 Yukon Denali SUV.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.