With its truck-like body-on-frame construction and standard V8 engine, the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is definitely an American take on the full-size luxury SUV. The newest Yukon Denali Ultimate features a high-quality interior and useful technology, but it still maintains the rugged capability that GMC trucks and SUVs are known for.

Meet the New GMC Yukon Denali

The new GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is garnering favorable reviews, including one from J.D. Power that lauds it as being luxurious, stylish, and capable. The SUV’s top-notch interior is an oft-praised feature, with mentions of its full-grain leather upholstery, Paldao trim, and extra features for the front seats, like heating and ventilation. Other attractive features include the metal Ultimate badge on the front seat backs along with a laser-etched map of Mt. Denali.

The infotainment system in the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is another big plus. It connects quickly and displays on a 10.2-inch screen with a user-friendly interface. Smartphone connectivity is standard and it’s hard not to enjoy the 18-speaker premium Bose audio system. Additional passenger comfort comes from a rear-seat entertainment system with two 12.6-inch touchscreens.

The Yukon Denali Ultimate’s exterior also garners favorable reviews for its brawny styling, prominent grille, and LED headlights.

Price

As a luxury SUV, the price of the new GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is unsurprisingly not cheap. The starting price is $96,450, which is very close to the price you’d pay for a BMW X7 luxury SUV. However, you’ll get a solid complement of top-notch equipment along with unique performance capability that you can’t get in most other luxury SUVs.

Standard equipment on the new Yukon Denali Ultimate includes the GMC ProGrade Trailering System package for those who intend to tow a boat or RV. The trailering package includes a hitch view camera and smart trailer integration. The towing capacity of the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is an impressive 8,000 pounds.

Other standard features that help the Yukon Denali Ultimate live up to its price include an array of driver assistance systems, Super Cruise, and a 6.2-liter gas V8 engine that makes 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine will give you improved fuel economy. An adaptive air suspension and a panoramic sunroof are also standard.

Competition

Despite its brawny truck-like construction and appearance, the new GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate easily lines up with its luxury SUV competitors like BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. Where it really stands out though is its combination of rugged toughness outside with modern luxury inside. You won’t get the same performance or off-road capability on most unibody luxury SUVs. That’s why the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is a uniquely American take on the luxury SUV segment.

For drivers who want an SUV that is both capable and luxurious, it’s hard to beat the new GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate.