What Is a GMC Denali? Are These SUVs and Trucks True Luxury?
The luxury-focused nameplate has been a part of the GMC lineup for more than two decades. Here’s what you get with this top-tier package.
Named after the tallest mountain peak in North America, GMC’s Denali nameplate debuted as the top-of-the-line specification for the Yukon in 1999, and the trim level made its way to GMC’s other sport-utility vehicles and trucks shortly thereafter. Boasting unique exterior touches, powerful engines, high-end interior materials, and the latest technology in GM’s portfolio, GMC Denali models have become a popular alternative to offerings from Cadillac and other luxury-focused marques.
In 2022, GMC introduced the Denali Ultimate, a package which now serves as the highest luxury trim for the brand’s Yukon and Sierra models.
Denali Premium Features
While Denali models are derived from GMC’s standard vehicles, they feature a number of upgrades that help distinguish them from their garden-variety counterparts at a glance. Unique grilles, big alloy wheels, and additional brightwork are exterior hallmarks of the Denali treatment, while the cabins of Denali models are equipped with high-quality leather upholstery, wood accents, contrast stitching, and other premium décor.
GMC Denali vehicles benefit from an array of technical upgrades as well. The interiors of these trucks and SUVs are typically outfitted with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, premium audio systems, and advanced infotainment systems with large, high-resolution displays. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system has become one of the premiere features available for the Yukon Denali and the Sierra 1500 Denali, while GM innovations like the MultiPro tailgate and the CarbonPro carbon fiber bed were first introduced by way of Denali models.
GMC Canyon Denali
As we noted in our first test of the third-generation truck, the Canyon Denali benefits from a gutsy 310hp 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, posh interior appointments, and excellent handling for a mid-size pickup. Its upgraded suspension also delivers impressive off-road capability, but it comes at the price of harsher ride quality on the street.
While we’d like to see a greater differentiation between the Denali and other Canyon models, GMC has given its top-tier model a number of tangible upgrades, like an exclusive Jet Black interior with perforated leather seating surfaces and genuine open-pore wood accents. 20-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels, chrome assist steps, a unique chrome grille, and a spray-on bedliner with the Denali logo are all standard equipment for the Canyon Denali, as is the AT4 trim’s off-road-focused suspension package. The Canyon Denali also scores a 6.3-inch heads up display, an 8-inch digital driver information center, and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with off-road performance telemetry and support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
GMC’s light-duty full-sized pickup greatly benefited from a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, an update which ushered in much-needed interior and technology upgrades as well as two new trims: AT4X, an off-road package that boasts capability above and beyond the AT4 trim, and Denali Ultimate, which now represents the highest luxury trim level for the pickup. The latter features plenty of cross-stitched leather and open-pore wood trim, along with a GMC-specific dash design as well as a 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital driver information center. Super Cruise and the CarbonPro carbon-fiber-reinforced bed are optionally available for both Sierra 1500 Denali and Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate.
GMC Sierra HD Denali
We praised GMC’s latest posh heavy duty truck for its smooth powertrain, well-appointed interior, and admirable road manners, but ergonomic issues and some lackluster materials found in the cabin seem at odds with the Denali’s lofty price tag. New 16-way adjustable massaging seats are standard for the Denali Ultimate trim and elevate the sense of luxury alongside exotic woods and stainless-steel accents, but the iffy plastics found in areas like the footwells and the center console don’t feel up to par with the rest of the cabin.
Despite its significant girth, we found that the 2500HD Denali Ultimate’s well-tuned suspension manages to mimic the nimble feel of a Sierra 1500. The refreshed 6.6-liter turbodiesel Duramax V8 also delivers impressive acceleration as well as smooth highway operation, though it’s still down on power as compared to similar heavy duty truck offerings from Ford and Ram.
GMC Terrain Denali
GMC’s compact crossover faces stiff competition from the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but the availability of the luxury-focused Denali trim helps it stand out amongst its rivals. Affordability, handsome exterior design, and the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support offered by its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system also win points with us. However, the Terrain does lose some ground to the competition due to its underwhelming engine, lack of hybrid availability, and unintuitive gear shifter design. An all-new, third generation Terrain is expected to hit dealers late in 2024 as a 2025 model.
GMC Acadia Denali
This seven-seater SUV is all-new for 2024. Now featuring a 120.9-inch wheelbase that mirrors the Yukon’s, it feels like a properly spacious three-row sport-utility vehicle. The outgoing model’s V6 engine has also been replaced by a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder mill that dishes out 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. The GMC Acadia is also outfitted with more than a dozen standard driver aids for parking, highway cruising, and urban driving, but it’s features like the 15-inch tablet-style touchscreen display, power-folding three row seats, and standard heads-up display on the Acadia Denali that make it feel like a premium product.
GMC Yukon Denali
The one that started it all remains the standard-bearer for the Denali nameplate. Available in Denali Ultimate trim since 2023, the Yukon was GMC’s first SUV to score GM’s highly touted Super Cruise hands-free driving system. And thanks to unique 22-inch wheels as well as a healthy dose of GMC-exclusive “Vader” chrome on the grille, fender vents, and other styling accents, it’s clear even from a cursory glance that this blinged-out body-on-frame SUV is something special. It was recently updated for 2025, too.
There’s a more earnest approach to the luxury vibe in the cabin as well. The interior features full-grain leather on the seats, arm rests, and center console, while contrast stitching, brushed aluminum accents, and open-pore Paldao woodgrain trim further enhance the sense of luxury. 16-way adjustable heated, ventilated, and massaging seats are on hand for the driver and front passenger, and an 18-speaker Bose premium audio system handles the tunes. Magnetic Ride Control, Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, Active Response 4WD, and an Auto Track two-speed transfer case are all standard equipment for the Yukon Denali Ultimate, as is a 6.2-liter V8.
GMC Sierra Denali EV
Mechanically identical to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the Sierra Denali EV boasts front and rear permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors that deliver up to 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a massive 205.0 kWh battery pack, GMC says it will offer an estimated range of 440 miles, and its 800-volt architecture should allow owners to add 100 miles of range in roughly 10 minutes when using a 350 kW DC fast charger. With all that power on tap, GMC says the Sierra Denali EV will sprint to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in under 4.5 seconds and tow up to 10,000 pounds. The Sierra Denali EV’s luxury-focused interior features a 16.8-inch portrait center touchscreen and a quieter cabin as compared to its Chevy counterpart.
What Is a GMC Denali?
- Named after the tallest mountain peak in North America, the Denali nameplate signifies GMC’s most luxurious trucks and SUVs
- The Denali Ultimate package was introduced in 2022 and now presents the highest luxury trim for Sierra trucks and Yukon SUVs
- These packages feature trim-exclusive exterior styling, high-quality interior materials, and the latest technology that GMC has to offer
- Innovations like the MultiPro tailgate and the CarbonPro carbon fiber bed were first introduced by way of Sierra Denali models.
