GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate 2023 : membre du premier trio

In 2021, General Motors updated its full-size SUV (sport utility vehicle) lineup. The American giant already dominated the market, even if the interior design was one of the main shortcomings. Power, strength, space and durability, General Motors’ large SUVs lacked refinement according to general opinion. Good news, it’s now fixed!

this winter, Car Guide took the wheel of GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate 2023, which is at the top of the column. Here’s a full report on our first show.

The V8 is still adequate

By choosing the GMC Yukon, consumers can choose from three engines depending on the version selected: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8 and a 3-liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel. Besides being generous in torque, the diesel engine is inexpensive and very efficient. . We have very good memories of this procedure that we were able to experiment with Chevrolet Suburban of the current generation.

However, the current price of a liter of diesel, which is around $2 and more than a liter of petrol, cancels out the energy benefits. Destruction. Not to mention the cost of the diesel engine option that adds to the bill, except for the Denali variant.

Photo: Germain Goyer

The model tested was equipped with a 6.2-liter V8. Traditionally, this procedure shines with its strength and softness. Note in passing that it develops nothing less than 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. When this block is requested, it always responds. For our part, we prefer General Motors’ strategy on this aspect to Ford’s.

Sure, we’ll note that Ford is buying a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 for it. A Learning Journey. Little by little, this transfer uses less energy in practice. While the performance is there, we don’t get the same flexibility or smoothness that we so appreciate with one or another of the V8s offered by General Motors.

Before starting our towing session, the on-board computer showed an average consumption of 14.5 L/100 km after a trip of 825 km. This rating is 0.5 L/100 km below that given by Natural Resources Canada.

Great comfort of magnetic suspension

In the past, when you bought an SUV of this type, you had to give up comfort. Built on such a responsive and hard-working chassis, full-size SUVs required some compromises to be made. And comfort was unfortunately part of it. Let’s just say, those inside were thrown around!

With the magnetic suspension that the test car was equipped with, we have completely removed this part. The comfortable and smooth ride will impress you and you will never want to drive with conventional shock absorbers again. The suspension does the job we asked for very well and in practice it makes us forget the sad condition of the state’s roads.

It was said from the beginning that the finish of the cabins and the quality of the materials left something to be desired. Of course, we were driving the more expensive version of the GMC Yukon. However, it is clear that those responsible for interior design did not take their authority lightly. The entire interior gives off a luxurious feel compared to the previous generation model. Let’s also show that the digital display is clear and clean.

Effective in pulling

Thanks mainly to its components derived from General Motors’ full-size trucks, the GMC Yukon is as practical as it is to towable. In fact, depending on the version chosen, the towing capacity can increase to 8,400 lbs.

In our case, we pulled a closed trailer that weighed about 6,000 pounds. The GMC Yukon met this challenge brilliantly. Obviously, fuel consumption was adjusted upwards for this part of the test.

Heavy bills

Placed between the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade, GMC’s Yukon starts at $74,697 for the base model (SLE). Then comes the AT4 version, more robust and attractive, with an entry price of $86,897. Finally, we get the Denali ($94,697) and Denali Ultimate ($115,097).

While this amount is impressive, it remains astronomically less than Cadillac’s.

Awaiting power-up

Gradually, electricity distribution is spreading in different places. Alas, with the exception of the poor Tahoe hybrid attempt fifteen years ago, there is no sign of electric power on the horizon.

Knowing that Ford is selling an all-electric pickup truck and that Ram and General Motors have followed suit, we’re guessing that the technology could make its way to full-size SUVs eventually. Will the GMC Hummer EV, in its SUV version, pave the way for the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon? It is too early to tell.

And bref

When the price of one liter of gasoline is expensive and environmental issues are on everyone’s lips, it may seem inappropriate to praise the characteristics of a large SUV, with a large engine capacity and a price that can exceed 100 000 $. However, this is indeed the case.

Because of the versatility of its 6.2-liter V8 engine, its comfort and the fact that it can tow an impressive amount of cargo, we love the GMC Yukon. A lot.