#Denali Topic Hub

GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate Review: The Ultimate 1/2 Ton Truck?

With the 2022 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, GMC is finally bringing a luxury truck to compete with the Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn. Ram has been the top dog for interior luxury for nearly a decade, so how does the Denali Ultimate stack up? Exterior On the outside, the Denali Ultimate comes packed with high end features. Starting from the front there is a massive dark chrome grill with a chrome outlined GMC badge. Chromed tow hooks sit in the bottom of the bumper with an additional chrome surround. Fog lights are pushed out to the edges and as low down …

Nov 10, 2022 Read more

2021 GMC Yukon Denali Review by Matt Barnes

2021 GMC Yukon Denali GM has always been the leader in full size SUV sales. With the introduction of the Suburban in 1935, they have more experience in the game that any other brand. For 2021 GM completely redesigned their full-size SUV lineup, including the Yukon Denali. Full disclosure: GMC sent us a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with a full tank of gas for us to review. Exterior The first thing noticed on the exterior of the Denali is the massive mesh grill with bold GMC lettering. It’s bold and aggressive. The LED headlights bracketed with the daytime running lights …

Mar 03, 2021 Read more

2019 GMC Sierra Denali – Road Test Review – By Zeid Nasser

GMC has taken its most popular pickup truck, the Sierra Denali, to the next level with a complete redesign for 2019. Distinguished by bold design innovative technologies, the 2019 Sierra Denali redefines the premium pickup, while advancing Denali’s legacy as the pinnacle of GMC design, capability and refinement. Powerful proportions and distinctive Denali design help define the Sierra’s unmistakable exterior, while the driver-focused cabin strengthens the brand’s reputation for refinement with premium materials, improved interior space and innovative storage solutions. DESIGN Sierra Denali debuts a new GMC design. A taller, more confident stance gives Sierra Denali powerful proportions complemented by …

Feb 26, 2019 Read more

In Pictures: 2017 GMC Canyon Denali 4×4 SWB Crew

Hard to hide the disappointment we had with the 2017 Canyon Denali. This was a delayed-release flagship for GMC’s midsize trucks. Denali models usually have everything standard and are a big, big upgrade in luxury style and amenities. This Canyon Denali does have a huge standard equipment list and a new grille to its credit. But overall, the amount of Denali badges is the biggest change you will notice. Underwhelming on the off-road course with these low, low running boards. Not thrilled that the GMC Canyon’s LED light accents are not actually DRLs. And bummed to find regular halogen reflectors …

Aug 04, 2017 Read more

2017 GMC Acadia DENALI – Road Test Review – By Tim Esterdahl

GMC angling to be a “premium brand” these days — a long way from their trucks’ deserved reputation as rebadged Chevrolets. GMC has definitely changed, but not everything makes sense. The 2017 GMC Acadia Denali is a perfect example of this. It is essentially a rebadged Chevrolet Traverse with upgraded features and luxury. Do these luxury features push it to another level above the Traverse? Absolutely, yet they may do more harm than good. The 2017 GMC Acadia is one of several SUV models offered by GMC these days as the brand works to find complements to its better-selling Yukon Denali and Sierra …

Mar 20, 2017 Read more

Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Terrain Denali AWD – By Tim Esterdahl

Review: 2016 GMC Terrain Denali AWD Falls Short In Key Areas While most people think of a “Denali” as a large, luxury SUV, the name really applies to a whole range of products GMC offers. One of these is the small Terrain SUV with ample cargo room and lots of features. However, if you are looking for the Yukon or Sierra Denali experience in this smaller package, it just falls short. Officially, GMC lists the Terrain as a mid-size crossover utility and it was launched in 2010 – replacing the Pontiac Torrent when the Pontiac brand ended. It shares the …

Apr 17, 2016 Read more

HD Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Yukon DENALI 4WD

GMC unknowingly timed their full Yukon redesign perfectly: as the new full-size trucks arrived in 2015, gas prices dropped to historic lows. Rave reviews on the new trucks’ style, tech and performance propelled massive sales gains: nearly double the sales of the overall vehicle, and almost tripling the previous year’s Yukon XL sales. These are still down from their heady highs in the 70k-units-plus annual tallies that evaporated after 2008’s gas-price spike. There is much more to the success of the Yukon Denali than external factors like gas prices., however. This lux truck is a perfect sweet-spot between yummy …

Apr 10, 2016 Read more

2017 GMC ACADIA Shows Radical Redesign: 700Lb Weight Loss, New All Terrain Spec

My my, what have we here! A very sexy makeover for the well-liked GMC Acadia? This three-row crossover has been winning friends for years with its Yukon-like cabin room, but easier parking manners and comfier ride quality. The 2017 model builds on these strengths… but does it drop some capability along the way? Surely, something MUST have fallen by the wayside for the 2017 Acadia to be a massive 700 pounds lighter than the current model. No swap to aluminum a la the Range Rover or new Q7. High-strength steel can only do so much, right? It turns out what …

Jan 12, 2016 Read more

HD Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Terrain DENALI AWD V6 – Swanky Refresh for Right-Sized SUV

GMC’s best-seller has been tearing up the sales rulebooks since its launch in 2009. We’ve admired its huge back seat and very affordable $24k base price from afar, but never from behind the wheel. The GMC Terrain welcomes a light refresh for 2016: new styling outside and new tech in the cabin helps the family favorite be even more competitive in the mid-size SUV class. And while the upgrades outside are fairly light for most trims, the new LED DRLs up front do wonders for the truck’s appeal on the road. The biggest news for the 2016 Terrain is the …

Jan 04, 2016 Read more

2017 GMC Canyon DENALI Wears Butch New Grille, 20s and LEDs – 31MPG DuraMax Diesel Optional

Despite all the excitement around the new generation of mid-size pickup trucks, the huge praise heaped on the Chevy Colorado has not yet translated into huge full-year sales numbers. At least, not by US pickup market standards — where the F-Series from Ford nears 800k units annually in a good year. (Not this launch year, mind you, with lots of factory down-time in the aluminum transition. Since the launch of the GMC Canyon and its bro, the Chevy Colorado, the two have been burning up the sale growth charts. Despite initial impressions of the GMC as the better-looking of the …

Nov 17, 2015 Read more

HD Road Test Review – 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL 4×4 with New 8-Speed Automatic

Denali lovers have never had it so good: this swanky trimline now extends beyond the Yukon and into the full range from GMC. But for many shoppers, the sweet spot of the General Motors truck range is the Denali XL. Nearly all the tech and luxury of the Escalade, with a less shouty overall presence on the roads. This paradox of the Denali being more humble, yet costing similar to the Caddy is plain for all to see. The idea is that everyone knows the Denali is Caddy-plush, and costs about as much, too. For a big swath of buyers, …

Aug 03, 2015 Read more

2016 GMC SIERRA Reveals Facelift + LED Lighting Upgrade in SLT, Denali and All Terrain Trims

Let this facelift be a great reward for all who wished the Silverado and Sierra had LEDs to match the new F-150! A full makeover for all three major trims changes the look of the nose pretty dramatically. These new-shape LEDs bring an updated group of grille and bumper designs, plus LED fogs to boot. Around back, LED C-shaped lamps share their cool look with the Yukon Denali. The Silverado is also fresh-faced for the 2016 model year, with just one preview rendering to go on so far. 2016 GMC SIERRA 2016 GMC Sierra Unveiled 2015-07-15 DETROIT …

Jul 15, 2015 Read more

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury AWD – Long Live The King

INTRO The 2015 Cadillac Escalade is the ultimate in look-good, feel-good luxury SUVs. After a week driving the Escalade around Georgia and the Carolinas, we really came to love the big truck and never ceased to be amazing by its performance and tech achievements in this fourth-generation model. For many years of the first three generations of Escalade, SUV buyers seemed to bow down to the king Caddy for its prestige appeal — with the actual changes and upgrades from the Denali seeming less-than-complete. The risk of paying the Cadillac premium is that car-guys might see through the blingy …

Nov 22, 2014 Read more

Concept Flashback – 2008 GMC Denali XT Is Hybrid V8 Chop-Top!

How many awesome ideas and cars hit the chopping block during the financial crisis? More than a dozen from each manufacturer, we would estimate. That goes for much of the new engine tech and almost all of the new segment-busting models like this Denali XT. As wide as a full-size truck, but two feet lower — the Denali XT is seriously sexy even as we enter 2015. The ideas shown on this truck are pretty evergreen, and might be up for a revival some day. The Hybrid engine tech shown is paired with a 4.9-liter, direct-injected V8 — the one …

Oct 19, 2014 Read more

Future SUV Rendering – 2016 GMC Denali VIP Concept – Black Trim, Wheels + Extra LED Lighting

If you read the glowing review of the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali this morning, you know we are big fans of this big truck. It is everything the Tahoe has, and almost everything the Escalade brings to the table — but with extra under-the-radar coolness as standard. The Escalade is a pop-culture phenom at this point – which is great news for resurgent Cadillac. But the Escalade being the ride of choice for young Hollywood does not universally enhance its appeal.What about those seeking ultimate style without the Cadillac badge? Is the Denali the price ceiling for GMC? Our hunch …

Jun 04, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review – 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Is 6.2-Second, 6.2L V8 Dream SUV

The GMC Yukon Denali has been a pet project of mine since the trio of next-gen GM SUVs debuted in September of 2013. I went from auto writer to fan-boy: creating color turn-tables, pouring over the equipment lists, and generally fawning over the machine. Some seat time only confirmed my strong desire for the Denali as the sweet-spot of the Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade line-up. I deeply enjoyed the Denali’s plush leather and interior mood, while relishing the benefits both the Tahoe and Yukon bring to the table for 2015. Let’s dive in with the usual categories: Exterior, Interior, Driving Experience and Summary. …

Jun 04, 2014 Read more

Rendered Mashup – GMC Denali Plus Rolls-Royce Wraith

These are nothing more than simple entertainment – there is no link between GMC and Rolls-Royce today, and both brands would likely be horrified by the results shown here. But a cross-breed can be fun to explore visually: Simply because it is so outside the norm – so unlike anything you see on a daily basis. In that fun and silly and non-speculative note, here is a rough, rough mix of Rolls-Royce Wraith and GMC All Terrain and Denali styling — on one mutant vehicle. The more I look at these, the less I want to publish them…. But so …

Jun 01, 2014 Read more

To Denali or not to Denali? 2014 GMC Sierra Style and Equipment Comparison

Q:) Why go for the top-of-the-line Sierra Denali ? A:) Allows optional 6.2-liter engine, style and cabin materials. The Denali is the only Sierra 1500 that is offered with the 6.2-liter V8 versus the top 5.3-liter engine in the standard trims. It is also equipped with perhaps 50 pieces of desirable equipment, including mechanical pieces like the external diff and transmission coolers, tougher undertrays, and a huge overhaul inside to bring this truck near-Escalade refinement levels. The road noise reduction and standard equipment inclusion is likely to biggest reason to go Denali over the $2,000-less SLE trim at the …

Apr 21, 2014 Read more

Presto, Here-We-Go! Animated Evolution of GMC from 1902 Rapid Truck to 2015 Sierra Denali HD + Brand Origin Explained

GMC really has some deep truck roots! Even while Chevrolet hoovers up most of the sales volume these days — and has for many years — the GMC legacy actually predates Chevrolet. Something that has never changed in the 102 years of this evolution span is the need by Americans for heavy-lifting trucks. The GMC line added two-ton weights, panel cabs and chassis cabs in 1915, and has never looked back. But what did GMC really “stand” for when added to the General Motors portfolio as GMTC, selling Rapid and Reliance trucks from around 1909? Two clues are right there …

Apr 11, 2014 Read more

Latest GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali and 3500HD Bring Class-Exclusive LEDs and Very Premium Designs

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD is quite an appealing machine. Its chunky fender arches and butch panels are at once both very stylish as well as very functional. The LED addition in the headlamps of the Sierra HD are a treat, and a segment-exclusive item for the time being. They really help the Sierra line feel new and unique versus the latest Silverado line, which lack this element and can feel a bit stale visually by comparison. The Chevrolet HD trucks are more distinctive in being new versus the 1500, but all the Chevy trucks are less revamped than …

Apr 04, 2014 Read more

2015 GMC Yukon Denali COLORS – Every Shade in Animated Fly-Around Graphics

2015 GMC Yukon Denali COLORS This article will load slowly due to the sheer volume of artwork, but included below are nine full spin-tables in all nine colors available. Each color spinner is labelled with the paint color as its file name. Enjoy! This one is Summit White, for example. COLOR CHOICE ANIMATIONS Animated History of the Chevrolet Suburban – right-click to download

Mar 20, 2014 Read more