2022 GMC Yukon Denali review...
#1
Lexus Champion
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Photo dump will follow this, I'll try not to ramble too much. Also let me say that I am slightly biased toward GM trucks because I had one.. Though I won't let it affect this review except I'm going to gush about the V8.
Sitting in it at first I was shocked at the comfort and quietness and idle. Digital gauges look good (I didn't care for the analogs in the older ones), camera images are 1080p and there's nine cameras. Verrrrry nice interior, great seats and leather. The wood looks great. The trim is all very nice. Switches all feel good, climate and radio, all of them including buttons off to the side, steering wheel, etc. But GM is gonna be GM and the lower door panels are cheap, and the door sills are absolutely nothing like my ollllllld LX build quality wise, not even illuminated. However there are power running boards which are quite nice.
Driving it through the dealer lot to the gas pump I was very impressed with the refinement and just overall feel. My guy let me loose with it with a half of a tank of gas which I burned through lmaoooo. I thoroughly checked it out and drove it. I floored it out of the lot and was shocked how fast it is. My GOD, I can promise anybody that at least with this truck, there is NO TURBO needed. I can't believe how fast it flies off the line. I also can't believe that the engine is muffled, it sounds great but my LX engine is noticeably louder which I like. This V8 does NOT have cylinder deactivation crap. It DOES have start/stop, but THANK YOU GOD it's a dedicated physical button off to the side that is easy. No digging through menus to turn that crap off. Apple CarPlay but I have no idea how to use it. AWESOME panoramic sunroof. Like I said it has some cheap bits but most of it is very, very high quality stuff.
On the highway it rides really well, and drives really well too just in general. It rides roughly the same as my LX does, but it doesn't take bumps at slower speeds better most likely because of the 22s. That said this is a quite lovely SUV to drive, drives smaller than it is. Fast as anyone could possibly need. The engine is stronger than my LX and even though it's for gas mileage, the 10 speed auto was flawless. Flooring it from a dig will make you wonder why anyone needs turbos, NA is jusssssttttt fine as far as that truck is concerned. It is also a proper 4x4 with a locking rear diff believe it or not. I hattttte the push button selector, however that said the buttons and the chrome surround are very high quality, like verrry nice. So that helps.. If only it had a column shifter ugh.
Photo dump to come. Bottom line, if you like GM trucks you'd go crazy over this.
Sitting in it at first I was shocked at the comfort and quietness and idle. Digital gauges look good (I didn't care for the analogs in the older ones), camera images are 1080p and there's nine cameras. Verrrrry nice interior, great seats and leather. The wood looks great. The trim is all very nice. Switches all feel good, climate and radio, all of them including buttons off to the side, steering wheel, etc. But GM is gonna be GM and the lower door panels are cheap, and the door sills are absolutely nothing like my ollllllld LX build quality wise, not even illuminated. However there are power running boards which are quite nice.
Driving it through the dealer lot to the gas pump I was very impressed with the refinement and just overall feel. My guy let me loose with it with a half of a tank of gas which I burned through lmaoooo. I thoroughly checked it out and drove it. I floored it out of the lot and was shocked how fast it is. My GOD, I can promise anybody that at least with this truck, there is NO TURBO needed. I can't believe how fast it flies off the line. I also can't believe that the engine is muffled, it sounds great but my LX engine is noticeably louder which I like. This V8 does NOT have cylinder deactivation crap. It DOES have start/stop, but THANK YOU GOD it's a dedicated physical button off to the side that is easy. No digging through menus to turn that crap off. Apple CarPlay but I have no idea how to use it. AWESOME panoramic sunroof. Like I said it has some cheap bits but most of it is very, very high quality stuff.
On the highway it rides really well, and drives really well too just in general. It rides roughly the same as my LX does, but it doesn't take bumps at slower speeds better most likely because of the 22s. That said this is a quite lovely SUV to drive, drives smaller than it is. Fast as anyone could possibly need. The engine is stronger than my LX and even though it's for gas mileage, the 10 speed auto was flawless. Flooring it from a dig will make you wonder why anyone needs turbos, NA is jusssssttttt fine as far as that truck is concerned. It is also a proper 4x4 with a locking rear diff believe it or not. I hattttte the push button selector, however that said the buttons and the chrome surround are very high quality, like verrry nice. So that helps.. If only it had a column shifter ugh.
Photo dump to come. Bottom line, if you like GM trucks you'd go crazy over this.
Last edited by AJT123; 07-13-23 at 06:22 PM.
#4
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Thanks, I'll keep it going with updates. This might be better served to be left in auto 4WD because it's so powerful the traction will break. Not the same thing as FT4WD but the 4WD kicks in instantly in AUTO, so not that big of a deal. But as you know I'm beyond the moon with my LX but this Yukon has literally DOUBLE the space if not more with the 3rd row folded down, it's massive. It's humongous inside. WAYYYYYYYYY more space than a 200 that's for sure. When you look at it with 3rd row down you think it's an XL.
I also meant to note that it is obvious GM engineered these to shake side to side (I mean that in the best possible way) when they start from the huge V8. It's stuff like that that make me overlook some of the negatives like a cheap bit here or there, there is a MASSIVE GM strength (literally and figuratively) V8 engine under the hood. It shakes like it's a beast when you start it, my Mercedes is the same way.
I also meant to note that it is obvious GM engineered these to shake side to side (I mean that in the best possible way) when they start from the huge V8. It's stuff like that that make me overlook some of the negatives like a cheap bit here or there, there is a MASSIVE GM strength (literally and figuratively) V8 engine under the hood. It shakes like it's a beast when you start it, my Mercedes is the same way.
Last edited by AJT123; 07-02-23 at 11:10 PM.
#5
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They are super nice. I loved the Suburban rental I had. Surprisingly nice inside too, and that Denali dash is even better.
#7
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#9
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What engine did that Suburban have? The 5.3 is fine, gets job done but really really underpowered considered what else is out there. I did have in it ABSOLUTELY having to be a Denali, absolute dealbreaker just for that 6.2 alone. They're going out with a bang, one of the best V8s out there. I can't describe how fast that thing gets out of the hole, it's ridiculous. My LX is quick, satisfyingly quick, but lord, this Yukon would leave it in the dust fast.
Ohhh I might add, it REALLY does require premium. It knocked briefly on the 87 my salesman gave me, not bad but yep. Can't wait to see real world economy this vs my LX570. It will get better mpg but I can always use regular in my 570 so it may be cheaper to fuel MY truck than that. We'll see.
Last edited by AJT123; 07-02-23 at 11:11 PM.
#10
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So glad they kept the V8 for this truck. None of that downsized turbo 4 or 6 garbage. This puts the Sequoia to absolute shame it's not even funny. Great review and as I said, it's so refreshing to hear that these big trucks still have a proper V8 available.
#11
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I'm not here to trash talk Ecoboost or Turbos vs V8s we all know my position and reasoning. I'm sure people LOVVVE their Ecoboosts, and good. But I can tell you, the way this thing gets out of the hole is just ridiculous. Displacement and torque work jusssst fine here. Can't beat the sound. It's under stressed to the bone.
HILARIOUS that all the magazines push for the DIESEL!!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!! I'm sure it's torquey and just kisses heaven with its green wonderfulness but I like 5.8 seconds to 60 versus 8.9, personally if it were my Denali.
#12
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![](https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clublexus.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/c4444319_4546_47e5_aa2d_1851b024300d_60863bc42fa56a878b464784a2364e06b70760dc.jpeg)
No speakers piping in sound, no downsizing, no bull****. No fancy tricks except a button to push to disable start stop. Proven V8 stoutness. It’s a Corvette engine minus a little ignition tinkering.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
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Beautiful truck!
It has very clean exterior styling that will age very well and interior is huge improvement over last few generations.
The Suburban and new Defender are the most common SUVs at my kids school i think.
It has very clean exterior styling that will age very well and interior is huge improvement over last few generations.
The Suburban and new Defender are the most common SUVs at my kids school i think.
#14
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I do love these things and I was extremely pleased with a 2023 Suburban rental I had in March. I observed a lot of the same things you've pointed out here about your driving impressions. I love the 2nd row captains chairs and the insane amount of usable space in the rear cargo area compared to my LX. I've been thinking more and more about pulling the trigger but the price tag always hinders that decision.
#15
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I do love these things and I was extremely pleased with a 2023 Suburban rental I had in March. I observed a lot of the same things you've pointed out here about your driving impressions. I love the 2nd row captains chairs and the insane amount of usable space in the rear cargo area compared to my LX. I've been thinking more and more about pulling the trigger but the price tag always hinders that decision.
I wouldn’t get rid of LX. LX is a very special vehicle, any 200 is. I wouldn’t take this Yukon to Moab like we are going with our LX as soon as gas drops.
Last edited by AJT123; 07-13-23 at 06:25 PM.