In the event you haven’t accomplished so not too long ago, take a second to look by the 2025 Cadillac Escalade’s configurator. The bottom mannequin is the ironically-named “Luxurious” trim, which begins at $92,290, together with a $1,995 vacation spot price. On the high of the meals chain, you’ll discover absolutely the maniac that’s the V-Sequence, which asks for $166,690 with out choices, and its rowdy supercharged 6.2-liter V8.
With costs dipping into the six-figure vary most of the time, Cadillac’s truck-based luxurious SUV desires to go toe-to-toe with the Vary Rovers of the world. Nevertheless, as a part of this transition, the Escalade has progressed from being an SUV a star would possibly step out of at an occasion to at least one they could really drive. It’s extra of a standing image than ever and immediately recognizable as a luxurious product. This creates an issue.
The issue exists for individuals who beforehand relied on the Escalade for low-key transportation. Driving a Rolls-Royce Cullinan ensures you’ll be seen. However what for those who don’t? That used to the Escalade’s turf alongside the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS; huge three-row SUVs with ample area, all the luxurious fittings you’d need in a commuter, and assured anonymity. With the Cadillac’s sights set firmly on a wholly totally different crowd, we will add the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali Final to that listing.
I’ll admit that earlier than the chance to drive one appeared, the GMC Yukon Denali Final wasn’t on my radar. Apart from a assessment of the off-road AT4 trim I did over 4 years in the past, my solely contact with the Yukon since has been from the again seat of an Uber Black.
Immediately, the Yukon is GMC’s flagship internal-combustion SUV, and the Denali Final is its range-topping variant. It begins at $103,295, together with a $1,995 vacation spot price, and comes loaded with customary tools, making this tester’s listing of optionally available extras comparatively brief. It provides Night time Imaginative and prescient for $2,000, the Illumination Package deal for $1,195, and a Ground Liner Package deal for $475. Even its Downpour Metallic exterior paint prices solely $495, bringing its as-tested value to $107,460.
As such, there aren’t many choices to make when configuring one. You possibly can select between seven totally different exterior colours, 5 wheel designs measuring 22 or 24 inches, and an inside package deal that upgrades the second-row seats. It replaces the virtually cardboard flat captain’s chairs in my tester with a extra premium, bolstered, and ventilated set in case you intend to be pushed slightly than driving your self.
Crucially, there is only one inside colour out there, which is the Woodland Mahogany photographed above, accented with white stitching and laser-etched wooden trim. If this LongHorn Steakhouse vibe isn’t fairly your velocity, you possibly can step down from the Final to the Denali and choose between off-white or black leather-based. Nevertheless, you’ll miss out on the range-topper’s wonderful 22-speaker Bose sound system.
So far as this inside’s livability goes. It’s a pleasing place to be. It stays comparatively quiet on the freeway. Its entrance seats are supportive however not agency, and this truck’s air suspension system has no bother absorbing bigger bumps at velocity. As is widespread, the GMC Yukon Denali Final encompasses a digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen for its infotainment. The latter is a big 16.8-inch show that makes studying maps at a look easy whereas providing sufficient actual property to have a number of apps open concurrently.
When you can alter very important cabin settings by the touchscreen, GMC made the superb determination to retain bodily controls by way of a row of switches which might be virtually hidden in plain sight. The result’s an inside that feels high-tech with out shedding its tactility. Whereas a few of this SUV’s plastic buttons really feel considerably misplaced in a car costing six figures, the Denali Final makes up for it by being straightforward to make use of and together with GM’s incredible Tremendous Cruise driver-assist system. Not solely does it permit for hands-free driving, but it surely additionally does an excellent job of conserving this household hauler centered within the lane, even when Los Angeles’ highway markings aren’t at all times essentially the most clearly outlined.
This brings me to the primary purpose why you’d purchase a GMC Yukon Denali Final, and that’s its dimension. Its second and third rows fold flat, leaving you with a cavernous trunk with 122.9 cubic ft of area. What’s on provide right here is versatility, and must you want extra of it, the stretched XL variant exists.
From a driving perspective, you’ve obtained one other option to make. GMC provides the Denali Final in two configurations: both with a turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel engine or a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8. The previous develops 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, whereas the latter produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. No matter which you go for, nevertheless, you’ll get a 10-speed automated transmission, all-wheel drive, and an air suspension setup.
My tester sports activities the V8, and its chrome quad exhaust ideas promise a burbly engine observe that solely partially materializes. Whether or not you’re standing by it or sitting inside, the GMC Yukon Denali Final is remarkably quiet, underscored by a low, burbling hum. Whilst you press the accelerator, you don’t get a lot of an engine observe within the cabin, a plus given this SUV’s luxurious aspirations however a minus for those who opted for the eight-cylinder route to listen to them sing.
It’s an analogous story when you hit the highway. Whereas GM’s 10-speed automated transmission could be considerably sluggish and clunky in different merchandise, that isn’t the case right here. It shifts each easily and rapidly, trying to maximise the out there energy. Nevertheless, even with 460 lb-ft of torque, the Yukon feels sluggish, particularly at freeway speeds. Overtaking requires a boot-full of throttle, which is much less shocking when you take into account the Final’s over 5,800-lb curb weight. If it manages to be simply as quiet in most purposes, the three.0-liter diesel and its additional torque is the one to have.
As I’ve alluded to, the GMC Yukon Denali Final is predicated on the identical platform because the Sierra pickup, and this body-on-frame SUV solely partially conceals its truck roots. Its steering is heavy and pairs with a sluggish ratio. Not like rivals just like the BMW X7, the Final lacks rear-axle steering, making it more difficult to maneuver by tight areas. Concurrently, its tall and flat hood limits ahead visibility, though an onboard digital camera suite helps out significantly.
The GMC’s air suspension does essentially the most heavy lifting. Whereas Yukons that lack it usually ship a bouncy experience, that isn’t the case within the Denali Final. It does an ideal job of dealing with undulations and highway imperfections at freeway speeds. Nevertheless, it does tend to wrestle at slower speeds, choosing up loads of vibrations over rougher surfaces, a con of its large 24-inch wheels.
From a visible standpoint, it’s difficult to make what is actually an enormous field, designed to hold as a lot stuff and other people as doable, look nice. Nonetheless, the Denali Final makes a valiant effort. Its Downpour Metallic exterior end introduces some vibrancy whereas retaining a cultured look. Whereas this SUV options chrome trim, it’s utilized tastefully all through. And whereas this GMC’s entrance grille is considerably overbearing, its LED operating lights are tastefully restrained.
The most important aesthetic problem it faces has much less to do with its look and extra to do with who buys it. As I discussed earlier, a GMC Yukon has pulled as much as my home after I’m on the way in which to the airport extra instances than I can depend. You’ll usually spot them in main cities throughout the US, as a part of a automobile service fleet or pushed by these seeking to make high greenback on rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft. It’s a truth I saved getting reminded of each time I walked as much as the Denali or noticed one other in chauffeur-spec at a stoplight. Whereas it’s one thing you possibly can ignore for those who’re taking a look at one of many Yukon’s inexpensive trim ranges, it’s a lot tougher to take action whenever you’re shelling out six figures for one.
After per week behind the wheel, it’s clear that the GMC Yukon Denali Final has many strengths. It’s tremendously spacious and provides a wonderful in-cabin expertise, each when it comes to tech and luxury. Contemplating that it tops out within the low six-figure vary, it’ll price you lower than an equal Vary Rover, BMW X7, or Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Nevertheless, as luxurious because the Denali Final strives to be, it’s hampered by a driving expertise that may’t shake its truck roots, an underwhelming engine, and an aesthetic that’s change into ubiquitous for all of the mistaken causes. Nonetheless, the Yukon manages to supply a luxurious SUV expertise in a package deal that means that you can fly below the radar. Regardless of some shortcomings, it’s able to take up the mantle because the Escalade strikes on.
