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 joined other General Motors' sport utility vehicles with a new platform shared with Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban. This year, the only change was the introduction of a two-wheel drive trim and two extra color choices. There are two Yukon Denali models: base and XL which when redesigned last year, added length to the wheelbase, more length bumper-to-bumper and 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, 2-wheel drive Denali (our test drive) added a Sun, Entertainment and Destination package ($4,790) and 20-inch chrome wheels ($1,995). Standard features include heated first-and-second row seats, remote start, power liftgate, remote start 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. A Bosch anti-braking system helps bring the three-ton vehicle to a halt in reasonable distance. Yukon XL Denali received top marks for frontal and side impact crashes in federal tests. Ample cargo space increases dramatically when third-row seats are removed and second-row seats folded. Power fold-and-tumble second-row seats provide easy access to third-row seats. (Third-row seats don't fold flat but are easily removed.) The navigation system, part of the optional package, absorbs audio functions, which are not intuitive, and reaching the 5.8-inch touch screen is mildly distracting but using the voice-activated feature helps keep hands on the steering wheel. The rear seat entertainment system (also part of optional package) allows a moonroof and comes with a 7-inch flip-down screen that only 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. Handling for a heavy vehicle is praiseworthy, with a new coil-over-shock front suspension, Autoride dampening reacts to rough road, and rack-and-pinion steering helps create a straight-ahead bias. Stabiltrak, which is standard, aids control. The huge gas tank allows for longer trips between fill-ups and towing capacity is 7,900 pounds.