Yukon Denalis are the flagships of GMC’s professional grade vehicles, and the Denali brand, first used in 1998, set sales records in 2005, accounting for roughly one-third of all Yukon and Envoy sales. For 2007, Yukon Denalis join other General Motors’ sport utility vehicles with a new platform shared with Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban. There are two Yukon Denali models: base (our test drive) and XL which adds length to the wheelbase, is longer bumper-to-bumper and adds extra headroom in the third row and more legroom in the second and third row. For many, the Yukon Denali is big enough, weighing nearly three tons and now using a more powerful 6.2-liter, 380-horsepower engine with variable valve timing mated to a six-speed (instead of four) automatic transmission. The four-door, eight-passenger, all-wheel drive Denali added features to improve comfort, the ride and performance and yet the base price this year is $3,070 less than the 2006 model.

New standard features this year include 18-inch wheels, heated first-and-second row seats, remote start, power liftgate, all-wheel drive and head curtain side impact airbags for all rows that links into a rollover protection system that keeps the bags inflated longer in a rollover crash. Ample cargo space increases dramatically when third-row seats are removed and second-row seats folded. A first this year is power fold-and-tumble second-row seats to improve access to third-row seats. (Third-row seats don’t fold flat but are easily removed.) The navigation system absorbs audio functions, which are not intuitive, and reaching the 5.8-inch touch screen is distracting but doesn’t require a disclaimer before booting up. An optional rear seat entertainment system allows a moonroof and comes with a 7-inch flip-down screen that slightly hinders rear visibility but doesn’t audibly disturb the driver due to independent volume control on a pair of wireless headsets. Nuance leather-covered seats and leather wrapped steering mesh with chrome and real wood accents for interior ambiance.

Outside changes are minor this year affecting headlamps, taillamps and rear fascia. Handling for a heavy vehicle is praiseworthy, with a new coil-over-shock front suspension, Autoride dampening that reacts to rough road, and rack-and-pinion steering with a straight-ahead bias. Yukon Denali received top safety scores for a frontal crash in government tests and adds a new standard Bosch anti-braking system.