We waited two months and 6300 miles until our local dealer installed a software fix issued by GM as a “service update.” During this period, we also noticed an intermittent whine that seemed to be coming from the driveline. To temporally mend the crow hop caused by turning on dry pavement with four-wheel drive fully engaged, the dealership reflashed an electronic control module. According to a service foreman at West Chevrolet in Alcoa, Tennessee, this was a glitch common to all 2015 GM four-wheel-drive pickups and large SUVs. One editor inadvertently cycled the ignition button while the driveline was in AUTO (on-demand four-wheel drive) mode, locking the transfer case in 4HI (locked 4WD). Unfortunately Big Den’s transfer case did not uphold the engine’s impeccable dependability record. ROY RITCHIE, RUSTY BLACKWELL, MICHAEL SIMARI Multiply that fuel economy by the 30.9-gallon tank capacity and you’ve got enough range to leap whole states in a single bound. Our 16-mpg overall mileage tied the aforementioned Benz. We were amazed to see the four-cylinder indicator light up with a loaded trailer in tow at 70 mph, at least on level ground. The V-8 is virtually silent in its work, even when half its cylinders go on furlough to save fuel. The longer you drive it, the less its dwelling-sized dimensions annoy you. When it breaks free of parking maneuvers and the ol’ suburban cut-and-thrust, this GMC finds its comfort zone. At the 40,000-mile final test, we discovered that launching this rig in four-wheel-drive mode trimmed 0.6 second from both the zero-to-60-mph and quarter-mile-ET figures, moving it toward acceleration parity with the smaller and lighter Mercedes-Benz GL450 three-row transporter. While that’s roughly a dead heat with the last Ford Expedition we tested, the Blue Oval easily beats the GMC’s 70-to-zero-mph stopping distance and 0.75-g (inhibited by stability control) cornering ability. One demerit is that premium fuel is recommended.Īfter break-in, Big Den clocked a 6.5-second run to 60 mph, 15.1 seconds at 96 mph in the quarter-mile, and a governed top speed of 113 mph. Even though this is a naturally aspirated pushrod design in a world of boosted, multivalve, overhead-cam engines, it’s perfectly suited to the SUV mission, being smooth, reliable, and reasonably fuel efficient. The GMC has milder valve timing to skip the Stingray’s nervous idle jitters, which means power is down a touch, but both engines deliver the same 460-lb-ft torque punch. Major features-direct fuel injection, variable intake- and exhaust-valve timing, and cylinder shutdown during light loads-are common to both. The heart of the beast is a V-8 that’s closely related to the Chevy Corvette’s LT1 engine. The Denali's inconveniently high load floor is a consequence of its rudimentary rear suspension. The $16,780 ($16,8) upgrade from a base Yukon SLE 4x4 adds a 6.2-liter V-8, heated and cooled perforated-leather front seats, a heated second-row bench, a power-folding third row, magnetic-ride-control dampers, HID headlamps, active noise cancellation, a larger alternator, heated mirrors, a customizable driver’s display, and, last but not least, sparkling exterior body-side moldings. Most Yukons are sold with Denali trim for good reason: There’s substance behind the geographically disorienting badge. Starting with the longer 130-inch wheelbase (versus the regular Yukon’s 116), four-wheel drive, and sumptuous Denali trim, our order monger exercised restraint by adding but two options to the $69,375 base price: a $4160 Touring package (entertainment system with second- and third-row DVD screens, sunroof, theft-deterrent system with self-powered horn, and head-up display) and $495 22-inch wheels. Full disclosure: When this 40,000-mile gantlet was complete, we negotiated an extra 8000 miles to accommodate pressing vacation and racing needs. Mashing the scales at just over 6000 pounds, this Lone Star limo hauls eight, tows 7900 pounds, and comfortably sleeps a parent and two adventurous kids. Meet Big Den, a 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4WD that casts a shadow twice as large as a Fiat 500’s. It has plenty of gadgets, but the Denali's interior feels more like a tarted-up mid-priced truck than a $74K luxury vehicle.
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