This is my third street trip in the previous year and a half or so in the driver’s seat of one of GM’s conventional full-measure SUVs – first was a Chevy Tahoe, then a Cadillac Escalade, and now a GMC Yukon Denali. They’re all in a general sense the same, put something aside for trim bundles, outline changes and advertising techniques, however for reasons unknown I discover the GMC most engaging – a more refined outside configuration puts it over the square shaped Tahoe, while it doesn’t have the unnecessary glimmer and societal stuff conveyed by the weary Escalade.
Note these are all individuals from the “short wheelbase” SUV family – they’re still three-column utilities, however there’s far less space behind the third line than on the more Suburban/Escalade ESV/Yukon XL kin. Include in the body edge configuration’s heap tallness, and it might stun the normal hybrid/minivan proprietor to perceive how constrained the usable space in a standard Yukon is – that is the reason the more extended ones are so prominent and bode well for the multi-kid families who for the most part purchase them.
The exchange off for space wastefulness is genuine truck towing capacity, and pontoon/camper proprietors won’t be baffled by the Yukon Denali and its 6.2-liter V8 motor/eight-speed programmed transmission combo. Not just is there 8,100 pounds of towing capacity, there’s additionally a cluster of standard gear to make it more secure and more agreeable – coordinated electric trailer brakes, movable suspension, an evaluation stopping mechanism to help on long plunges and a basic transmission oil cooler to keep the eight-speed moving along. Once more, this is standard on the Denali, which means it’s pointed unequivocally at the weekend amusement fan or retiree RVer who doesn’t need/require a medium-obligation diesel pickup.
Be that as it may, and here’s the rub, the Denali trim is more than sufficiently decent to influence some intrigued Escalade purchasers who, for reasons unknown, discover the Cadillac identification (and MSRP) a side road. Yes, you’re surrendering some softened cowhide and brushed metal, however you’re getting the GMC IntelliLink radio/infotainment/route framework rather than the streamlined yet unintuitive Cadillac CUE framework. On the other hand, the valuing between them is sufficiently close that GM clearly expects the two brands’ purchasers to be particular and isolated.
Is it true that they are however? Given Cadillac’s horrifying auto deals, and America’s SUV hunger, one could argue for discarding Caddy totally, showcasing a Denali Escalade and pushing whatever remains of GMC’s Denali offerings upscale somewhat to counterbalance the distinction.
Ravings of a lunatic, maybe (or unnecessary needling of Cadillac supervisors). All that really matters is this: While the Mercedes GLS remains my most loved full-measure utility, the GMC Yukon is second, and relying upon the main job could without much of a stretch be tops. On the off chance that it includes a trailer, two or three children and a long extend of interstate expressway; the Yukon is difficult to beat.
