How do you elevate a Denali? Crazy question, but there's a real answer. The 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate, a delectable Yukon Denali on steroids, metaphorically supercharges the iconic Denali sub-brand. This new trim for GMC's full-size SUV follows in the footsteps of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate pickup, giving customers the best-of-the-best conveniently bundled into the fanciest trim GMC has ever offered.
The Yukon Denali Ultimate embeds a bounty of visual flare and pizazz, which we'll get to. But it also hides a technological surprise in the form of available Super Cruise driver assistance technology, which allows for automatic hands-free lane changing and hands-free towing. This is the first GMC SUV to get Super Cruise; the feature is slated for late availability. Other 2021 and 2022 GM vehicles with Super Cruise include various trims of the following models: Cadillac CT4, CT5 and Escalade; Chevy Bolt EUV and Silverado; and GMC Sierra and Hummer EV. By 2023, it'll be available on 22 vehicles.
From the outside, the Yukon Denali Ultimate is stunning, a cornucopia of bright chrome and contrasting accents. It's all in the details: GMC's exclusive menacing "Vader" chrome (grille, fender vents, accents, front fascia), polished chrome along the window and door panels, and dark chrome GMC badging. The wheels are unique 22-inch seven-spoke units highlighted by chrome accents that contrast dark paint.
Moving to the inside, there's less plastic and more comfort than ever before. The Alpine Umber interior features full-grain leather seats, arm rests, and center console, capped by elaborate exclusive contrast stitching. The interior trim is a mixture of brushed aluminum and elegant open-pore Paldao woodgrain. A topographical map of Mount Denali is laser-etched into the glovebox of the woodgrain dash trim.
The front gets 16-way power massaging heated and ventilated seats. Denali Ultimate metal badging on the seat backs is topped off by (more) laser-etched topographical maps of Mount Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America. The audio system is an 18-speaker Bose Performance Series setup, and the door and headrest speaker grilles are constructed of stainless steel. Posh floor mats with GMC-branded metal edges sit inboard Denali door sill plates.
The Yukon Denali Ultimate comes standard with the 6.2-liter V-8, but it can be optioned with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel powerplant. It comes with all the goodies for on-road (and mild off-road) comfort: standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, standard Active Response 4WD system with electronic limited-slip differential, and an Auto Track two-speed transfer case.
Get ready for the blingy 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate to arrive in Fall 2022. We don't have official pricing yet, but the Sierra 1500 truck version of the Denali Ultimate trim starts north of $80,000.