GMC’s big guy — the Yukon Denali — is all about people and luggage hauling. It gets more than just a spit shine for 2015
This American story began in 1992, when Chevrolet rebadged the Jimmy. Today, it is one of the largest vehicles you can buy and drive on the roads… legally. So what is all this fuss about their mammoth SUV and why is there a special preference for it among the people of the region? Well, it’s downright simple, to begin with! It’s large (I am talking Jurassic-period large), and most people tend to think bigger is better. Also, it can carry as many members as a joint family has — and their luggage.
So, for this week, we take the American slogan “Go big or go home” very seriously. We test one such specimen — the 2015 GMC Yukon, and not just any Yuk — this is the big one among the big ones, the fully-loaded Denali.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
If you know what a Suburban or an Escalade is, you will know the Yukon. In fact, it is just a rebadged version of either of those vehicles, which also makes it one of the largest vehicles money can buy; it measures 5,179mm, and in XL format, this thing can be almost 19ft long. At 2,044mm, it is as wide as a lane and with a height of 1,889mm, it stands taller than 6ft frames. The wheelbase of 2,946mm is not too different from the size of a MINI Cooper. You’d have to be blind or a man who dismisses everything to ignore this one!
The Denali gets detailed, chrome-laden grilles matched with GMC’s signature C-shaped LED lighting motif, front and rear. New inlaid doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of the body, reducing wind noise and improving aerodynamics. Denali models feature active noise cancellation technology to make the interior quieter — so you can expect a sense of silence.
In the land of the Yukon, big becomes bigger and bigger becomes monumental. You start out with the 18”, and higher models get 20” polished aluminium wheels. The top dog Denali gets 20” ultra-bright machined aluminium with the option of 22” aluminium with paint or chrome inserts. Only thing missing are spinners! A rear spoiler on the lift gate houses a relocated rear window wiper that is hidden when not in use. The rear end design terminates with C-shaped rear lamps and concealed tail pipes.
The Yukon looks, and is, heavy; at the scales, it weighs a minimum of 2,479kg and that figure can reach 2,623kg depending on the model. It is a bit of a tank. Handle with care! And going by the wheelbase, the decent weight distribution of 52:48 is not a surprise.
Arguably, both the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac Escalade look flashier than the Yukon, but there is something graceful in the way it is styled, opulent without a sense of overkill. It sort of hits the sweet spot in the segment. Once you climb aboard via the electronically retractable foot step, you are greeted by interiors that are typically GM. Build quality is nice, most of the touchable panels are soft and there are no jarring styling cues that bring any imbalance to the design.
A 4-spoke steering wheel with plenty of functional buttons, all in a rubberised material, makes for a comfortable driving experience. The centre console is large enough to store a laptop or iPad and has provisions for hanging file folders and other organisational features — for the employee with a rolling office. Atop the stack is a standard 8” infotainment screen, which is easy to reach; and below it, two levels of controls with two sets of rubberised knobs — one for the A/C and the other for audio.
This behemoth can seat up to nine people if configured the right way. All rows including the first, second and third can be optioned with a two or three seat configuration; the second getting captain’s chairs, if need be. The seats, with dual-firmness foam, are meant to be good for long drives, but I didn’t find anything special about the softness. They are good, but it’s the overwhelming feeling of space that makes you feel comfortable.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
The Yukon is powered by either of two engines. The base models get the 5.3L V8 Flexfuel that can either run on regular fuel or E85 ethanol. Our Denali model came with an aluminium block, direct fuel injection, 6.2L V8, with an 11.5:1 compression ratio and Active Fuel Management. If it hasn’t struck you yet, this is actually a Corvette engine sitting on the front axle. And as proof, you can hear the occasional growl through the exhausts as you push down on the accelerator pedal.
As a cousin to that slim speedster from Chevy, it makes 420bhp at 5,600rpm and 624Nm at 4,100rpm. And what that means for lead-footed people is that it’s going be sunny all day. Our estimates are this takes about seven seconds from a standstill to a 100km/h. And if you don’t double up on people or luggage, it could easily do it in under six. The speedometer won’t run beyond 180km/h, or rather it should not, considering the sheer proportions.
The electronic variable-assist power steering does its bit to reduce fuel consumption and it comes across as light-weighted in city driving and parking lots and has a decent heft to it on the highways. The magnetic ride control, is as high-tech as Google and the ride is generally soft, until you go over speed bumps, when it gets unusually bouncy.
If you think driving this is being environmentally friendly, you’d be a bit delusional. It can be, if you are travelling fully loaded with people and goods — at which point it’s basically public transportation. On a good day, it will drink as much as 16.8L/100km in the city and 11.2L/100km on the highway, and the 5.3L V8 fares much better in this respect. The engine has an Active Fuel Management system that allows the engine to run on four cylinders instead of eight.
On the road it wallows like a wildebeest. Brake and it will dive forward; take a corner too fast and it will get out of line; and there’s plenty of roll side to side. Yes, there are many fun videos of these cars drifting, but remember, those are in the middle of a grass field, where there is plenty of space. In a city like ours, you are more a health hazard than anything else. So be aware of the Yukon’s size, wherever you go.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
All models have a standard Bose Centerpoint surround sound system, which is nothing to write home about, really. You do get multiple USB ports (six, I believe), SD slots and accessory power outlets — including a 220V three-prong outlet — to support electronic devices of all kinds and a Blu-ray/DVD rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens on the Yukon XL.
There are plenty of safety features, both standard and optional, with things like forward collision alert, front park assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic braking, and GM’s Safety Alert Seat that sends directional vibrations to alert the driver about potential crash threats.
You get 433L of space behind third row, 1,463L behind second and 2,681L behind first. And if you have a yacht or trailer, you have 3,855kg of towing capacity at your command. There is trailer brake control integrated into the dashboard — good stuff.
VERDICT
So, if you live with your folks and you need everyone to get to the same place in the same space, this is the kind of car you ought to park in your garage. Mixed with the luxury of leather, along with all the electronic conveniences one can imagine, and Corvette-inspired power to get around, the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali is a storybook ending for all… in a joint family system or a bunch of friends who can’t tell apart friends from family.
For everybody else, the mid-size crossover SUVs should do just fine.
