Background: The newly-introduced GMC Denali fills a niche virtually non-existent a decade ago; the luxury-appointed large sport utility market. Sure, large behemoths like the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban have been around for years, but not with such posh nuances as heated seats, leather appointments and compact disc players. Denali competes head on with other new entries to the "premium SUV" scene during the last couple of years including the Lincoln Navigator and Lexus LX 450. Despite price tags in the $43,000 to $53,000 range and a tendency to take gasoline for granted, these large, luxurious sport utilities are selling like hot cakes. The Pontiac/GMC Division of General Motors debuted Denail, which is actually a top-of-the-line version of GMC's full-size Yukon sport utility, earlier this year as a 1999 model. The GMC Yukon and its automotive twin, the Chevrolet Tahoe, debuted in the 1994 model year. Currently there is no automotive twin to Denali in GM's stable, but that could change. A couple of months ago, GM announced Cadillac will debut a luxury-appointed sport utility of its own for the 1999 model year. Cadillac already named its sport utility Escalade, but GM is still mum about whether Escalde will be "Denali" size or incorporate larger "GMC Suburban" type dimensions. The GMC Denali is named after the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, home of the highest peak in North America. General Motors assembles Denail in Arlington, Texas.
Engine: A 5.7-liter, sequential-fuel-injected Vortec V-8 engine delivers 255 horsepower and is the sole Denali powertrain. In contrast, the Lincoln Navigator delivers 230 horsepower. Denali also features GMC's convenient AutoTrac system, which automatically switches into four-wheel drive from rear-drive when it senses wheel slippage. Drivers can switch into four-wheel drive 'high' or four-wheel drive 'low' at their conveince with the push of dashboard buttons when weather conditions dictate. Safety features: Reduced-force dual front airbags, remote keyless entry, rear-door child safety locks, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights are standard. Standard equipment: Denali includes a host of standard features including front and rear air conditioning, power windows and door locks, tilt steering wheel, rear window defogger, intermittent windshield wipers, cruise control, compact disc player with six-unit changer, heated side-view mirrors, speed sensitive power steering and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Options: About the only option available to Denail shoppers is whether to include GM's dealer-installed OnStar communication system featuring global positioning technology and a cellular phone, linking drivers to a 24-hour-a-day manned customer assist center.
Price: Our well-equipped, test-drive Denali had a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $42,855. With a $640 destination charge, the bottom line figured to $43,495.
Interior: The driver-friendly, large radio pre-set buttons and ventilation controls are found in other GM offerings. Three easy-to-grab dials monitor fan speed, direction and temperature. The digital clock readout is incorporated into the radio display. Denali places the transmission gear shift on the steering column with opens up floor space for permanently fixed beverage holders capable of accommodating 32-ounce cups. Two additional cup holders retract out from the dashboard. Denali would benefit from secondary radio controls mounted on the steering wheel. The steering column gear shifts gets in the way when reaching to change stations or volume. A large, two-compartment storage bin/arm rest is found between the front bucket seats. The bottom portion is home to the six-unit compact disc changer. A ceiling caddie extends outward from the rearview mirror and is home to map lights, a holder for sunglasses and a home for remote garage door openers. At night, the dashboard backlights with red and blue illumination. Woodgrain enhancements are found throughout the interior. Cruise control functions are found on the turn signal stalk while headlights can be activated from a dashboard dial left of the steering wheel. Large chrome door handles are easy to find in the dark. Rectangular power window and lock buttons on the driver's door are large in size, but positioned to far down on the door. Denali includes headphone jacks and radio controls in back so second-row travelers can enjoy their own brand of music. Riders in back also have their own air conditioning controls, power outlet and reading lights.
Seating comfort: Denali's comfortable leather seats support the thigh and lumbar region. Driver's and front-seat passengers enjoy the benefit of six-way power controls found on the sides of the seats. Every seat in Denali includes a heating element for cold Chicago winters, which are now distant memory. Back seats include a 60/40 split and the larger left seat includes a wide, fold down arm rest incorporating dual cup holders. Two additional back cup holders fold down from a center floor console. When folding down the back seats for additional cargo room, the front seat cushions move forward and seatbacks fold forward flat once the headrests are removed. With the back seats folded, Denali holds 118.2 inches of cubic feet of space Denali only seats five riders, which is three less passengers than the luxury-appointed Lincoln Navigator accommodates. Denali does not include a third row for passengers as does Navigator.
Exterior: Running boards on both sides of Denali make maneuvering in and out a bit easier. But Denali is still a step ahead of the huge first-gereration Lexus LX 450 sport utility we drove last year in which a running start was helpful in getting into the driver's seat. Exterior color choices include Onyx Black, Gold Metallic, Meadow Green Dark Toreador Red, Spruce Green Metallic and Silver Mist Metallic. One of the few decisions Denali shoppers have to make concerns the rear door configuration. Denali is available with cargo doors, with side hinges and doors that swing open, or a tailgate design with hinges at the top and bottom. Firestone 16-inch touring tires with six-spoke aluminum wheels are standard. Flush-mounted door handles and roof-mounted luggage rack are the exterior color. Denali's front grille includes horizontal slates with a centered GMC logo. Halogen headlights come standard too. A full-size spare tire stows under the vehicle?
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 117.5 inches Length: 201.2 inches Width: 78.8 inches Height: 79.0 inches Weight: 5,867 Towing capacity: 6,500 pounds
Target market: General Motors estimates Denali buyers to be well-off financially with a household income in the $150,000 range. Most will be male (85 percent), college educated with a median age of 45. Eighty-five percent married. Fuel Economy: Denali's powerful V-8 engine doesn't sip, it devours regular unleaded gasoline. Fortunatly, the large, 29.5-gallon tank holds enough gas so it feels like your not stopping too often for fill ups. Estimated gas mileage is 12 miles per gallon city, and 16 m.p.g. highway. The left-side fuel tank door does not lock, but includes a tethered cap.
Final thoughts: For such a big, heavy vehicle, Denali steered, and handled well with decent pickup. Power-assist steering contributes to easy maneuverability. Its nearest domestic competitor, the Lincoln Navigator, is available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations. Four-wheel drive Navigators start at $42,660 and the price inches up to $46,660 well equipped. Denali stands about three inches taller than Navigator while measuring three inches shorter in length. |