Considering A GMC Yukon Denali? Here Are 10 Reasons It Should Be Your Next SUV
You know those cars you think are going to be way too much — too big, too loud, too ridiculous — until you actually spend a week in one and realise… oh, this kind of rules? That’s the GMC Yukon Denali.
It’s six metres of unapologetic American engineering, with more leather, more presence, and more speakers than anything else I’ve driven this year. We had it for seven days, clocked up hundreds of kilometres across Sydney, and here are 10 things I absolutely loved about it.
Nearly six metres long, yet somehow still easier to park than your mate’s ute. Image: Genral Motors Austrlia
1. The Size (But In a Good Way)
It doesn’t get much bigger than this. The GMC Yukon Denali is an absolute unit — nearly six metres long — and yet it weirdly doesn’t feel like a barge. You’ve got to be 10% more cautious than you would in a normal SUV, but it’s still easy enough to park. If you need serious space, this is your guy.
2. The Driving Position (Welcome to the Throne)
This isn’t so much a driving position as it is a command centre. You sit high — semi-trailer high — and it changes how you see the road (and other drivers). You’re not in traffic. You’re above it. You tower over hatches and sedans like they’re ants. It’s absurd — and kind of addictive.
Command centre vibes: the view from the Denali is pure power trip. Image: General Motors Australia
3. The 24-Inch Rims (All Class, No Compromise)
Let’s talk aesthetics. The 24-inch wheels on the Denali are stunning — probably the best-looking set of rims I’ve seen on a truck in years. They fill out the arches beautifully, they ride smooth, and they look premium. The tyres? Expensive, no doubt. But if you’re spending $180K on a car, you’re not cutting corners on rubber.
4. Climate Control Built for a Blizzard (or a Sydney ‘Winter’)
This thing was built for snow. Literally. And while Sydney’s winter is more “mildly brisk” than “polar vortex”, the Denali’s climate setup is still incredible. Fast warm-up, excellent seat heating, multiple zones — it just works. It’s a great reminder of what happens when a car is actually engineered for extreme weather.
5. The Sound System Slaps (Harder Than You’d Expect)
The 15-speaker Bose system cranks. I’d go as far as saying it’s better than the Polestar 3 or 4 — and that’s saying something. I had Distance (Ron Basejam Remix) by Smith & Mudd going, and it was all vibes, no distortion. It feels less like a car and more like a mobile nightclub.
The Bose system turns traffic into a private concert. Image: General Motors Australia
6. Rear Tailgate Tech That Actually Feels Smart
This might be my favourite feature. The rear tailgate just… knows. Walk around to let the dog out and it automatically opens. No foot swipes, no button mashing. It just senses you and opens like it’s reading your mind. I’ve never seen it done quite like this.
7. Space for Days (Or Eight Fully Grown Humans)
3,450 litres of cargo space. That’s eight full-size adults, easily. It’s basically a limousine disguised as a family SUV. Whether you’re running a farm, doing a boys’ trip, or just like having room to breathe, this thing delivers. For regional drivers, it’s an outright flex.
Cargo space so generous it makes a Sydney studio look like a shoebox. Image: General Motors Australia
8. Real Leather, Real Wood, Real Class
American interiors can be hit and miss, but not here. The Denali’s interior is finished with genuine wood and leather — none of that faux vegan filler. It feels like a proper luxury car. There’s attention to detail and a sense of occasion, even if you’re just doing the school run.
9. The Front End Means Business (Without Being a Douchebag About It)
This thing looks like it could bench press a house, but somehow doesn’t scream for attention. Maybe it’s the clean design. Maybe it’s the white paint. Either way, it manages to be ominous without being obnoxious. It has presence, not pretence.
The GMC Yukon Denali has commanding front end with presence and polish, without tipping into excess. Image: General Motors Australia
10. The Price (Seriously, It’s Not a Typo)
At $174,990 plus on-roads, the Denali is a lot of car for the money. Compared to a G-Wagon — which starts well over $300K — this thing is practical, versatile, and surprisingly refined. You probably won’t throw tools in the back, but you could. It’s built for real life, not just Instagram.
Final Word
If you’d told me I’d be raving about a six-metre American SUV after a week in Sydney traffic, I would’ve laughed. But here we are. The GMC Yukon Denali is big, bold, and weirdly brilliant. For the right buyer, it doesn’t just make sense — it makes everything else feel a bit small.
