New 2024 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate Review

2024 GMC Yukon Denali stepped up its luxury offerings by releasing the new Denali Ultimate trim level for several of its vehicle lines, including the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup, as well as the GMC Yukon full-size SUV. Which begs the question what other GMC models need the Denali Ultimate trim? Maybe the updated GMC Sierra HD 2024 would be a good candidate?

Such an offer certainly makes sense after all, the GMC Sierra HD Denali 2023 is already available with the Denali Ultimate Package (RPO code PEC). For those who may not remember, Denali Ultimate Package for GMC Sierra HD 2023 Denali collects the contents of the Technology Pack (RPO code CWM), including the Rear Camera Mirror (RPO code DRZ) and 15-inch Diagonal Head Multicolor-Up Display (RPO code UV6). , as well as a power sunroof (RPO code CF5).

So why not give it a go and offer the Denali Ultimate trim level for the updated GMC Sierra HD 2024? To be sure, there’s potential for a more luxurious Sierra HD Denali Ultimate trim level, which will rival the Ford Super Duty Limited and Ram HD Limited.

As for the features of this hypothetical Sierra HD Denali Ultimate, we can take a look at the existing Denali Ultimate trim level for some clues as to what it might include. For example, the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is equipped with exclusive styling cues inside and out, with a unique grille clad in Vader chrome, plus unique 22-inch alloy wheels in Low Gloss Black with engine accents. Vader chrome is also used for the GMC logo, and there is a unique front fender trim with a topographic map of Mount Denali.

Inside, there’s Alpine Umber upholstery in full-grain leather and open-porous Paldao wood trim. These tech designations include the standard GM Super Cruise with trailer, heated and ventilated 16-way front seats with massage function, and 12-speaker Bose Premium Series stereo with Centerpoint surround sound. For now, GM will launch the GMC Sierra HD 2024 with a full model refresh, but whether the refresh will also include the new Denali Ultimate trim level remains to be seen.

2024 GMC Yukon Denali Review

One of several full-size SUVs made by General Motors, the 2024 GMC Yukon shares engineering and an underlying component set with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. All boast strong V8 power, three rows of seats, and ample towing capacity. Chiseled good looks, polished bright colors, and a fancier interior elevate the handsome, rugged Yukon above its bow-tie counterparts, but the GMC isn’t as luxurious or feature-packed as the Escalade.

GMC is redesigning the Yukon in 2021 and we expect to make some updates for the 2024 model year. Expect a restyled front and rear end, new wheels, interior updates and a fresh injection of technology. We also expect GMC to continue to offer the optional turbocharged diesel engine on the Yukon. If so, it could be the better, more powerful version that GMC announced will be in the 2024 Sierra 1500 pickup.

We hope that any changes to the 2024 GMC Yukon will help it better compete with its main rival, the Jeep Wagoneer. Like GMC, the Jeep is a premium model seeking to fill a similar niche in the large SUV segment. Alternatives to the Yukon include the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and low-cost versions of luxury brand SUVs such as the Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS. See the Expert Rating below for a full evaluation of our testing team in Yukon.

Refresh

General Motors will be updating its full-size SUV lineup for the 2024 model year, including the 2024 GMC Yukon. Now, GM Authority spy photographers have taken new spy photos of the interior of the updated 2024 GMC Yukon.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the updated 2024 GMC Yukon undergoing testing as a prototype. However, this is our first glimpse of the interior of the refreshed 2024 GMC Yukon.

While it’s hard to look at, this spy photo of the 2024 GMC Yukon’s interior shows us a large central infotainment display, as well as a multi-spoke steering wheel with thumb-length hard button controls. We also see the right-hand steering column with chrome-plated outer buttons.

According to GM Authority sources, the cockpit in the updated 2024 GMC Yukon will have a similar layout to the current GMC Sierra 1500, which was recently updated for the 2022.5 model year. That said, the infotainment layout in the updated 2024 GMC Yukon will incorporate the screen that appears to extend from the instrument cluster to the center stack in one continuous shape.

As per previous GM Authority coverage, the refreshed GMC Yukon 2024 will also introduce a new 24-inch wheel option, offering a significant upgrade over the 22-inch model offered with the current model. GM’s other full-size SUV lineup will also offer 24-inch alloy wheels.

Further updates to the GMC Yukon’s exterior will include a new design for the front fascia with a wide grille and reshaped lighting, as well as vertically oriented C-shaped headlights and centered lighting elements, somewhat similar to the refreshed GMC Sierra and possibly the GMC Sierra EV. Also expect new fog lights and a reshaped roof fin antenna, as well as updates to the rear of the SUV with a reshaped rear fascia and new LED taillights.

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Ultimate

The 2024 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate will be a fine SUV with lots of luxury features. It has an understated dark chrome exterior. This would be a welcome look for those who prefer their luxury to be subtle and indirect. It will also have 22-inch wheels with seven bars. The engine is a 6.2 liter V8. It is matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. You can also upgrade to a 3.0-liter diesel engine.

Inside, there are 16-way powered front seats for both driver and passenger – and those seats also have a massage function. In addition, there are speakers in the headrests, which almost sound too comfortable to stay awake. The dashboard features Mount Denali engraving on Paldao wood and aluminum trim.

The Denali Ultimate will also have a 10.2-inch premium infotainment screen, a 12-inch digital driver information center, and a 15-inch heads-up display. The Denali Ultimate has improved leather, unique interior and exterior trim, and the optional Super Cruise. The GMC Yukon Denali is already one of the most striking SUVs on sale thanks to its luxurious chrome grille and well-appointed interior.

But now GMC is elevating Yukon luxury with the Yukon Denali Ultimate, a new range-topper that brings subtle exterior tweaks, improved interior materials, and even more technology to the already luxurious Denali. You might expect every inch of the even grander Denali to be chrome plated, but the truth is the Denali Ultimate gets a more understated look, with most trims carrying a darker “Vader” chrome look.

The GMC badge features a darker finish, but GMC does leave some trim in lighter finishes, such as around the windows, for contrast. Denali Ultimate also gets unique 22-inch alloy wheels with seven bars.

New GMC Yukon Denali Features

SUPER CRUISE DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE, Travel hands-free over 200,000 miles — and counting — on compatible roads in the US and Canada with the available Super Cruise. Enjoy automatic hands-free lane change or when not using the feature you can tow trailers hands-free.
CAMERA DISPLAYS INCLUDE HIGH DEFINITION ENVIRONMENTAL VISION, For a clear at-a-glance view, the large, driver-focused display keeps information where you need it — front, center, and easy to see.
- 10.2″ GMC Premium Diagonal Infotainment System
- 12″ Diagonal Digital Driver Information Center
- 15″ Diagonal Head-Up Display
16-WAY POWER FRONT SEAT WITH MASSAGE FEATURE
EXCLUSIVE ACCENTS Yukon Denali Ultimate’s signature premium design is highlighted by exclusive Vader Chrome accents.
ULTIMATE WHEELS 22″ 7-spoke ultra-light engine wheels in bright chrome and dark paint.
BOSE® 18-SPEAKER PERFORMANCE SERIES SOUND Experience incredible acoustic luxury thanks to the 18 speakers of the Bose Performance Series sound system throughout the Yukon Denali Ultimate cabin — including the front seat headrest speakers. The smoky stainless steel speaker grille adds a sophisticated level of style.
WIRELESS CHARGING Enjoy the luxury of cutting cables and charging your smartphone with wireless charging.

2024 GMC Yukon Denali Changes

The biggest upgrade is in the interior. The three rows of seats are wrapped in richer leather with woven stitching, and the front throne is 16-way adjustable and equipped with a massage function. The dashboard features Paldao wood trim with an engraved topographic map of Mount Denali, which echoes against the seatbacks. Aluminum trim completes the look.

Denali Ultimate is also packed with features. There’s a new 18-speaker Bose sound system with headrest-mounted speakers and an optional rear-seat entertainment package that attaches the screen to the back of the front seats. But the real highlight is the optional Super Cruise driver-assist technology, which includes automatic lane changes and settings designed for towing.

Yukon Denali Ultimate embeds the bounty of visual flare and pizazz, which we’re about to get. But it also hides a tech surprise in the form of the available Super Cruise driver-assist technology, which allows for automatic hands-free lane changing and hands-free towing.

This is the first GMC SUV to get a Super Cruise; This feature is scheduled for late availability. Other 2021 and 2022 GM vehicles with Super Cruise include the following models: Cadillac CT4, CT5, and Escalade; Chevy Bolt EUV and Silverado; and the GMC Sierra and Hummer EV. By 2023, it will be available in 22 vehicles.

Interior

Moving on to the inside, there’s less plastic and more comfort than before. The interior of the Alpine Umber features full-grain leather upholstery, armrests, and center console, with exclusive intricate contrast stitching.

The interior trim is a blend of brushed aluminum and elegant open-porous Paldao wood grain. The topographic map of Mount Denali is laser engraved into the wood grain dashboard trim glovebox.

The front gets a heated and ventilated 16-way power massager. The Denali Ultimate metal badge on the seatback features (more) a laser-engraved topographic map of Mount Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America.

The audio system is an 18-speaker Bose Performance Series set up, and the door speaker grilles and headrests are made of stainless steel. A luxurious floor mat with GMC branded metal edging is inside the Denali door sill plate.

Exterior

From the outside, the Yukon Denali Ultimate is stunning, with lots of bright chrome and contrasting accents. It’s all in the details: menacing GMC exclusive “Vader” chrome (grill, fender vents, accents, front fascia), polished chrome along the window and door panels, and dark chrome GMC badge.

The wheels are a unique 22-inch seven-spoke unit with chrome accents contrasting the dark paint.

2024 GMC Yukon Denali Model

A full-size three-row SUV that seats up to eight people, the GMC Yukon comes in five trim levels including SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate. We expect the 2024 Yukon to offer a choice between two V8 petrol engines and a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine, each paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Standard equipment highlights follow below.

2024 GMC Yukon Denali SLE

Yukon SLE Base starts you off with:

355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8
18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Three-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable front seats
12-inch digital instrumentation panel
10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google integration
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of lane departure when the turn signal is not used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Parking sensor (warns you of obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

You can add options to the Yukon SLE, including:

GMC Pro Safety Plus Package
Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or when backing up)
Front row bench seats (seating configuration for nine passengers)

SLT

The Yukon SLT includes the GMC Pro Safety Plus package and the following upgrades:

20-inch wheels
Hands-free Liftgate
Leather seats
Heated and ventilated front seats
Nine-speaker Bose audio system
Wireless charging pad

GMC offers several options for the SLT. They include:

Luxury SLT Package
- Power-folding outside mirrors
- Driver’s seat memory settings
- Heated steering wheel, tilt, and telescoping
- Heated second-row seats
- The third-row seats can be folded with power
- Improved automatic emergency braking (works at a higher speed to warn if a frontal collision is imminent and brakes if you don’t respond in time)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Yukon and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains the driver-set distance between the Yukon and the car in front)
SLT Premium Package
- Luxury SLT Package
- Panoramic sunroofs
Second-row bucket seats (seating configuration of seven passengers)

AT4

Equipped with standard 4WD, the Yukon AT4 is built for off-roading thanks to:

Unique front bumper with a better approach angle
20-inch dark gray wheels with all-terrain tires
Front towing hook and skid plate
Heavy-duty air filter
Adaptive suspension dampers (helps improve ride comfort and handling stability)
Hill drop control
Driver’s seat memory settings
Heated steering wheel, tilt, and telescoping
Heated second-row seats
The third-row seats can be folded with power

You can upgrade AT4 by:

Technology Package
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Yukon and its surroundings in tight parking situations)
- Head-up display (shows important information in your line of sight to the windshield)
AT4 Premium Package
- Technology Package
- Panoramic sunroofs
- Power retractable side steps
AT4 Premium Plus Package
- Premium plan
- Air suspension (can raise or lower the vehicle height)
- Electronic limited-slip differential
- Trailering technology and equipment
Second-row bucket seats (seating configuration of seven passengers)

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Denali

Upscale identifies the Yukon Denali, which includes the SLT plus features:

420-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine
20-inch polished aluminum wheels
Adaptive suspension damper
SLT Luxury package contents (except adaptive cruise control)
Technology package contents
Front center console with power-sliding
Power release second-row bucket seats
14-speaker Bose audio system

Extras for Denali include:

Advanced Technology Package
- Digital rearview mirror (can display the image from the rearview camera on the mirror)
- Automated parking system (directs to a parking space with little or no driver intervention)
- Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains the driver-set distance between the Yukon and the car in front)
- Super Cruise (uses the vehicle’s advanced driver aids to provide more hands-free driving capabilities on certain highways)
Denali Reserve Plan
- Advanced Technology Package
- 22-inch wheels
- Air suspension (can raise or lower the vehicle height)
- Panoramic sunroofs
- Power retractable side steps
- Trailering technology and equipment

2024 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate

The Yukon Denali Ultimate is the most luxurious version of this SUV and includes standard 4WD plus:

Denali Reserve Plan
Advanced Technology Package (excluding Super Cruise)
Improved interior trim
Upgraded leather seats
Massaging the front seats
18-speaker Bose audio system
Rear seat entertainment system with 12.6-inch dual view screen

Super Cruise is one of the few options available for the Yukon Denali Ultimate. As with the other Yukons, many of the standard features on the top trim are optional on the lower trim.

Additional Yukon options include:

277 hp turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine
Package Max Trailering
- Trailer brake controller (helps you adjust the brakes on your trailer)
- Heavy-duty cooling system
- Two-speed active transfer case (4WD models only)
- Trailer blind-spot warning (warns you if a vehicle in the oncoming lane is in your blind spot and includes trailer coverage)
- Camera for easy hitchhiking to the trailer
Enhanced Trailering Technology Package
- Provides an additional exterior camera that allows you to monitor the trailer from inside the Yukon

2024 GMC Yukon Denali EV

Caught up in a whirlwind of North American EV pickup trucks, the average fan might start to forget certain details. After all, the hype is all about Rivian R1Ts, GMC Hummer EVs, Ford F-150 Lightning 2022, and upcoming Mopar or Chevy rivals, as well as certain tardive Tesla Cybertrucks.

While in the beginning, several smaller companies – from Lordstown to Bollinger and Nikola made headlines with their Endurance, B2 or Badger attempts at EV pickup truck glory; now it turns out that legacy car makers are still in power.

Of course, there is a strange case that Rivian has successfully released the R1T. But remember, this startup is backed by a very strong entrepreneurial entity.

And, as far as price is concerned, it represents the mid-range category – as opposed to the already released GMC Hummer EV, which is currently a very expensive option., or the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning which has positioned itself as an affordable option.

Well, it’s no wonder that the latter will continue to bring pride to the best-selling F-Series of all time.

But what about the competition? So, we already know what the Chevy Silverado EV 2024 will look like and while it’s still not ready for primetime (scheduled for a fall introduction), we can also envision the design of the 2024 Ram 1500 EV.

Better yet, the nice folks at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have done it in one of their previous videos, pinned second below.

But they also decided to remind everyone that the other major legacy automakers are not getting into action with their third attempt to dominate the EV pickup truck market.

It would be General Motors, of course, that has promised zero-emissions attacks on far more occasions than we’d like to remember anymore. And, so far, only their GMC Hummer EV has delivered on that insane promise.

The latter, however, is only the first of two battery-powered GMC trucks, as the company teased us late last year with a luxurious, modern, and quiet perspective on the GMC Sierra Denali EV.

It seems that the early 2023MY opening time slot is almost closing, so we’ll have to rely on the unofficial preview for now and hope the 2024 release date will finally do the premium trick.

2024 GMC Denali Engine

The Yukon Denali Ultimate 2023 comes with an optional 6.2-liter V-8 engine or 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel, with both engines mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Magnetorheological dampers and air suspensions are also standard.

Once again the Yukon Denali Ultimate comes standard with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine but can be selected with the 3.0 liter Duramax diesel engine.

It comes with all the goodies for on-road (and light off-road) comfort: standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, standard Active Response 4WD system with electronic limited-slip differential, and two-speed Auto Track transfer case.

2024 GMC Yukon Denali Price

We don’t have official pricing yet, but the Sierra 1500 truck version of the Denali Ultimate trim starts north of $80,000.

GMC hasn’t released pricing yet, but considering its pickup truck sibling, the Sierra Denali Ultimate, carries a $20,000 premium over the standard Sierra Denali, we expect the Yukon Denali Ultimate to ring close to $92,000.

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2024 GMC Yukon Denali Release Date

The updated 2024 GMC Yukon is expected to reach production in November.

Verdict

GMC has not released any official information about the 2024 Yukon as of this writing. We’ll update our recommendations if anything changes, but based on last year’s Yukon, we recommend the SLT trim level. It comes with nicer wheels, leather seats, and a hands-free liftgate and provides access to attractive options such as a panoramic glass sunroof, a premium sound system, and additional safety features.