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2009 GMC Yukon Denali Quality Review

July 26, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

None of GM's full-size SUVs feature a fold-flat third-row seat
Kelley Blue Book

At 109 cubic feet, the Yukon's maximum cargo capacity rivals that of the Ford Expedition
Edmunds

High-quality fixtures include flush-mounted controls, low-gloss materials
Cars.com

The 2009 GMC Yukon Denali is positioned just a half-step below the Cadillac Escalade in the GM luxury hierarchy, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com question some of the seating layouts found inside the GMC Yukon Denali.

The 2009 Denali and Denali XL feature standard seating for seven, spread across two front buckets, two middle-row captain's chairs, and a three-person rear bench seat. Kelley Blue Book reports that seating capacity can be increased to eight with the addition of the available "power fold-and-flip second-row seats," but they warn that, "unlike the Ford Expedition, Dodge Durango and Nissan Armada, none of GM's full-size SUVs feature a fold-flat third-row seat." Many other reviewers agree that, "for anyone that's grown accustomed to the convenience of a fold-flat third row, this could be the Yukon's deal-breaker." Aside from this frequent complaint about the rear bench, reviewers are impressed with the overall level of comfort inside the GMC Yukon Denali 2009. ConsumerGuide states that the "front seats are supportive," with "ample headroom and legroom" and "a power tilt feature [for] the steering column." ConsumerGuide also praises the "adult-comfortable 2nd row," but they note the "low-to-floor 3rd row cushion forces knees-up discomfort for anyone larger than toddler size" who finds themselves in what Edmunds refers to as the "bulky third-row seat."

Parking the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali, and especially the Denali XL, is a chore, but the flip side is that the street-spanning exterior gives you lots of cargo room to work with. Cars.com reports that the Denali XL's "cargo volume measures 45.8 cubic feet behind the third row," and with the third row pulled out, the "cargo volume is 137.4 cubic feet; that's compared to the Expedition EL's 130.8 cubic feet." For the standard-length GMC Yukon Denali 2009, Edmunds measures the maximum interior cargo room at "109 cubic feet," which "rivals that of the Ford Expedition and bests most other competitors." ConsumerGuide is similarly impressed, rating the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali and Denali XL a perfect 10 in cargo space.

Inside the cabin of the Yukon Denali 2009 lineup, passengers will be impressed with the level of detail for a domestic vehicle. ConsumerGuide says GMC Yukon Denalis "get added dress-up touches," which contribute to what Edmunds calls the "high-quality fit and finish" throughout the interior. Cars.com also loves the "high-quality fixtures [that] include flush-mounted controls, low-gloss materials and chrome instrument surrounds." Compared to both the domestic and foreign competition, Edmunds feels that the GMC Yukon Denalis assembly and materials quality "place it among the class leaders."

In keeping with its luxury-minded aspirations, the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali is remarkably quiet on the road. ConsumerGuide says noise suppression is "impressive for a large SUV," with road noise "well muted" and "the only evident wind rush [coming] from around [the] outside mirrors." Edmunds also marvels that "the 2009 GMC Yukon's ride is notably quiet," thanks to enhanced sound suppression throughout the cabin.

Conclusion

Wrestling with the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali's 50-pound third-row seats is a hassle, but it's the only blemish to a well-designed, well-appointed cabin.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:None of GM's full-size SUVs feature a fold-flat third-row seatKelley Blue BookAt 109 cubic feet, the Yukon's maximum cargo capacity rivals that of the Ford ExpeditionEdmundsHigh-quality fixtures include flush-mounted controls, low-gloss materialsCars.com The 2009 GMC Yukon Denali is positioned just a half-step below the Cadillac Escalade in the GM luxury hierarchy, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com question some of the seating layouts found inside the GMC Yukon Denali. The 2009 Denali and Denali XL feature standard seating for seven, spread across two front buckets, two middle-row captain's chairs, and a three-person rear bench seat. Kelley Blue Book reports that seating capacity can be increased to eight with the addition of the available "power fold-and-flip second-row seats," but they warn that, "unlike the Ford Expedition, Dodge Durango and Nissan Armada, none of GM's full-size SUVs feature a fold-flat third-row seat." Many other reviewers agree that, "for anyone that's grown accustomed to the convenience of a fold-flat third row, this could be the Yukon's deal-breaker." Aside from this frequent complaint about the rear bench, reviewers are impressed with the overall level of comfort inside the GMC Yukon Denali 2009. ConsumerGuide states that the "front seats are supportive," with "ample headroom and legroom" and "a power tilt feature [for] the steering column." ConsumerGuide also praises the "adult-comfortable 2nd row," but they note the "low-to-floor 3rd row cushion forces knees-up discomfort for anyone larger than toddler size" who finds themselves in what Edmunds refers to as the "bulky third-row seat." Parking the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali, and especially the Denali XL, is a chore, but the flip side is that the street-spanning exterior gives you lots of cargo room to work with. Cars.com reports that the Denali XL's "cargo volume measures 45.8 cubic feet behind the third row," and with the third row pulled out, the "cargo volume is 137.4 cubic feet; that's compared to the Expedition EL's 130.8 cubic feet." For the standard-length GMC Yukon Denali 2009, Edmunds measures the maximum interior cargo room at "109 cubic feet," which "rivals that of the Ford Expedition and bests most other competitors." ConsumerGuide is similarly impressed, rating the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali and Denali XL a perfect 10 in cargo space. Inside the cabin of the Yukon Denali 2009 lineup, passengers will be impressed with the level of detail for a domestic vehicle. ConsumerGuide says GMC Yukon Denalis "get added dress-up touches," which contribute to what Edmunds calls the "high-quality fit and finish" throughout the interior. Cars.com also loves the "high-quality fixtures [that] include flush-mounted controls, low-gloss materials and chrome instrument surrounds." Compared to both the domestic and foreign competition, Edmunds feels that the GMC Yukon Denalis assembly and materials quality "place it among the class leaders." In keeping with its luxury-minded aspirations, the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali is remarkably quiet on the road. ConsumerGuide says noise suppression is "impressive for a large SUV," with road noise "well muted" and "the only evident wind rush [coming] from around [the] outside mirrors." Edmunds also marvels that "the 2009 GMC Yukon's ride is notably quiet," thanks to enhanced sound suppression throughout the cabin. ConclusionWrestling with the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali's 50-pound third-row seats is a hassle, but it's the only blemish to a well-designed, well-appointed cabin. 2009 GMC YUKON DENALI STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "A number of features that distinguish them from other models, including a chrome grille and 20-inch wheels" Kelley Blue Book: "All but antiquates the previous generation, which seems light years apart in styling" ConsumerGuide: ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 GMC Yukon Denali is nearly identical mechanically to the Cadillac Escalade and has nearly the same driving experience. Among all these trucks, the Denali would likely be the choice of TheCarConnection.com editors if they had serious towing needs yet needed to look good—pulling a show trailer, for instance. The Denali manages to look respectable and classy without inducing the sneer factor or urban associations that the Escalade brings, and it has all the comfy luxury and tech features. Another vehicle to consider is the Lincoln Navigator, which costs a bit more than the Denali but not as much as the Escalade. The Navigator has a more conservative look that some people like, and it handles well and has a smooth ride, but it comes up short on power relative to the Denali. The Chrysler Aspen is another alternative; it has good performance from its HEMI V-8, but its interior layout isn't quite as spacious and its fuel economy isn't much better. Or for about the same money as the Yukon Denali, you could get a Yukon Hybrid. The Hybrid doesn't come quite as loaded with features and luxury as the Denali, but it has EPA fuel economy ratings of up to 21 mpg city, 22 highway and uses half the fuel of the Denali in ordinary driving. Plus, it's capable of towing nearly as much as the Denali.

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See the GMC Yukon Denali in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999

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