Rolling in Richness With a 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali

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By Mike Schlee Nov 17, 2014

Rolling Deep in a Denali

Capable Everywhere

The Denali package can be had with optional 22-inch wheels wrapped in very un-SUV-like 285/45R22 tires. These wide patches of rubber really kept the XL Denali planted as I tossed it from side to side through the aforementioned twisting farm road as well as the subsequent hilly switchbacks of West Virginia we encountered next.

Broken pavement, concrete, dirt or gravel, the Yukon XL Denali handles all road conditions with the same composure no matter what the situation. The front two rows offer incredible comfort and after seven hours on the road, the only complaints have to do with a certain driver pushing the Yukon through one stretch of road a bit harder than the GMC probably liked to be as he tried to keep up with a BMW X5.

We Screw Up, the Yukon Screws Up

After a close fifth place finish on day one, we began day two by immediately missing the first checkpoint. At this point we know there is no point in trying to win, so we default back into what we know best when partaking in a Rally North America event – sight see.

During our futile attempt to find that checkpoint we ended up on a two-track dirt farm road. With plenty of ground clearance and just a bit of grass growing in the center of the roadway, this is no sweat for the Yukon XL. In fact, it’s no sweat for any car really as we meet other teams equally lost along the way driving very non-offroad vehicles like a Pontiac GTO, Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Mini Cooper Convertible.

SEE ALSO: 2015 GMC Yukon XL Review

A funny thing happened shortly after this road though as the Yukon’s 4X4 system suffered a failure and locks itself into 4X4 high. For a vehicle the size of the XL Denali, this becomes quite an issue when trying to navigate tight corners or parking lots as anyone who has driven a proper 4X4 will know. Hard resets of the SUV and/or any amount of knob twisting will not release the Yukon back into two-wheel drive mode. Later in the day the Yukon finally snaps out of 4X4 on its own and subsequently locks itself in 4X2, which is much easier to live with. After dropping the SUV back to GM, I learned that a simple computer error was to blame and a quick reflash solved the issue.

Entertain or Be Entertained

Now back to day two. After visiting a few of the more notable checkpoints along the way, we began finding our own stopping points adopting our Monopoly theme. Although it takes a while to get used to the Intellilink navigation system, once we master it, it proves more resourceful than our handheld units in finding places like Boardwalk, Park Place, Marvin Gardens and Waterworks.

After spending the afternoon stopping for photo ops, it was time to settle for the two-hour drive to the finish line. With 34.5-inches of legroom available in the third row, my front seat passenger climbed into the backseat and the dual DVD screens were flipped down so all three of my passengers could watch Spiderman on Bluray while I drive.

The Verdict

As we rolled into our final hotel for the night, everyone came away highly impressed with the Yukon XL Denali. Rear seat passengers did find the door mounted cup holders too small and the recessed seat belt latches a pain to operate, but other than that, everything was fine by them. Even fuel economy, which is rated at 14 MPG city and 20 MPG highway, surprised me as I average 17.8 MPG over 1,189 miles of fairly hard driving.

The price of entry into a 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali is $69,375 while my heavily optioned tester came in at $77,965. That isn’t pocket change, but that price does get you a luxurious SUV that can comfortably seat seven people, tow 7,900 lbs. and travel through moderate offroad terrain. Minor nuances and one strange computer glitch aside, even my diehard Ford loving passenger was smitten with the new 2015 GMC Yukon XL, which may well be the highest praise possible for GMC’s new SUV.

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