2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One - Jalopnik Comments

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Turboner — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:27:59 EDT

My wife's egomaniac, christofacist cousin says that her 8 year old knows the difference between the bad (poor) families and the good (rich through inheritance, not hers- her husband's) ones who pick up their kids in SUV's. It still kills me that it can be an indicator of whether or not you're going to heaven, if you believe in that sort of thing. Hell, it still kills me that people believe there's some sexist man upstairs getting mad everytime you touch yourself.

Ray, as long as you don't "need" one to show your kids who's better than who, go for it.

Turboner

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Elhigh — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:12:50 EDT

@1300ccsoffury: They're all self-centered. The truly un-self-centered individuals are walking with their kids.

Take note, in my earlier post, I was in fact in my car. I know what this implies.

Elhigh

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

petersterncan — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:20:43 EDT

@ash78: I know what you mean... I'm not against anyone driving these for the right reasons. But for every one person who buys it because they plow snow, tow a trailer or have a family of six, there seems to be another two or three that just buy it because they want something big so they can 'see over the cars' and/or intimidate other drivers.

And of those people who buy for the wrong reasons, at least a third of them don't have the driving skill to drive such a large vehicle very well.

Of course they get pissed when you go around them when they take forever to do something... which is where the tailgating/intimidation comes in... which doesn't work too well when trying to keep up with me in the Saab when cornering or accelerating...

People have this delusion that getting an SUV will make them stand out and makes them different from their parents - or anybody else.

Might have been true in 1985. But today's SUVs are exactly like yesterday's heavy duty wagons, just with a bit of extra ride height, lots of extra weight, two extra drive wheels and marketing convincing them that they're not getting old and soft (even if they are).

petersterncan

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

fuzzmanmatt — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:04:44 EDT

I'm living over in Grand Rapids, and the local fire departments have a ton of these equipped as medical responder vehicles. Other than the absolutely hideous looks, the firefighters seem very impressed with them. Using the vehicles as they were built to be used!

fuzzmanmatt

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

stevecmh — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:28:31 EDT

i think it looks great..
nice review

stevecmh

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Pope Dearthair the Awesometh — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:30:01 EDT

@ash78: I think the "Tahoe" may be the most appropriate name for one of these beasts. Because really, Lake Tahoe is a closer approximation of the sort of rough terrain these 4x4s are going to see. -1C and maybe 2mm of snow? Kick it to 4x4 so Geoffrey-with-a-"G" and Christie-with-a-"C-H" can get to the ski hill with their bags loaded with Oakleys and Rossignols!

The Yukon name kinda makes me laugh. I'm a few miles away from Alaska at the moment, and you don't see many of these around. Lots of crew-cab F350 duallies... not many über-utes like this.

Pope Dearthair the Awesometh

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

sos10 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:23:59 EDT

Why do you want to drive in something as big as your living room?

sos10

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

FatBraff — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:08:33 EDT

@brandegee: Stratton... It is like Aspen East

FatBraff

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

brandegee — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:54:47 EDT

Or possibly Vermont's Mt. Snow.

brandegee

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

brandegee — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:54:05 EDT

These photos must have been taken at Breckenridge, a resort that's pretentious but lacks the all-out luster of Vail or Aspen.

brandegee

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

FatBraff — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:49:31 EDT

@ash78: 2011 GMC Mongolia Siberia XLT Teva Sandals Edition

FatBraff

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:28:59 EDT

@danio3834: As long as the driver isn't me without dang good reason, ya know?

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ash78 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:28:16 EDT

Joking aside, the only real beef I have is with the name. Seriously guys, was there just a jam session of every hardcore outdoors place you could think of? String 'em together!

I think it'd be awesome to have a Nunavut XLT or something like that. "The competition ain't gonna have Nunavut!"

Ash78

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

danio3834 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:14:30 EDT

@Unregular: Yesterday we were all commended for being such good natured, tolerant folks.

The very next day, the Hatorade gets passed around.

Dont get me wrong, I still reserve your right to hate on specific vehicles(their drivers, thats a grey area), I just thought I'd point it out.

danio3834

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mad_Science — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:04:50 EDT

@Ray Wert: No need to get all Farago on us...

Mad_Science

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:01:29 EDT

@Unregular: Oh good, I thought I was going to have to whip out my banning sword.

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:57:21 EDT

@Ray Wert: no it's more the more general you! not the actual you.

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price! — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:53:47 EDT

There's a need for vehicles of this sort. I just think that anything this big ought to have a diesel or at least smaller-supercharged engine rather than a big-honking V8. Probably would add too much to the initial outlay and GM profitability tho...

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:46:36 EDT

@Mark Miller: Yeah, we've made note of it.

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:46:07 EDT

@Unregular: I hope the "you" you speak of is not the "you" who is writing this review. Then, the you who wrote the "you" will not be very happy when I'm through with you.

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mark Miller — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:44:28 EDT

Has the font used for comments been changed?
How many agree with me that legibilityhasbeensacrificed?
M a y b e i f I a d d l o t s o f s p a c e . . .

Mark Miller

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mark Miller — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:36:21 EDT

Soccer-Mom or Queen-of-Denali ?

Mark Miller

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:30:25 EDT

@Ω βгåғғ™: i can agree with that.

i personally think an evasive maneuvers course should be a standard requirement for all drivers licenses.

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mad_Science — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:27:17 EDT

@amblito: I'm aware of the clip, and I know it's kind of a different point, but I have a hard time believing I'd rather own a 70k mile Toureg that's seen a lot of towing than a 70k GM truck that's seen a lot of towing.

@Unregular: I agree with you wholeheartedly.

There's just one problem with justifying a need: the same logic makes sports car ownership seem even more silly. How does one rationally justify the need to drive really fast?

I'd bet the most SUVs come do more time towing or off-roading than most sports cars spend on the track.

Mad_Science

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

FatBraff — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:21:07 EDT

@Unregular: Then how about special licenses to own cars that are capable of hitting speeds over 110mph?

I agree that the typical owner you find on the road is either of the small-wife or douchebag variety... however, these do have their use and when used properly make for a very effective and useful vehicle.

FatBraff

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:17:08 EDT

@danio3834: what can i say? most of the people i see driving these are fat women, solo, sitting 14" from the wheel, endangering everything within a 50 yard radius. am i lying?

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

elwood — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:15:34 EDT

@Mad_Science: I understand the need to tow large loads and lots of people, and I concede that for that purpose, there's no vehicle that works as well as a large SUV. But until people stop buying these cars as a fashion statement, then there's always going to be the hate.

elwood

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

danio3834 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:04:56 EDT

@Unregular: I'm glad there are still commenters like you around on Jalopnik. Lately, I've had so little to get fired up about.

danio3834

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:04:40 EDT

@Mad_Science: yeah - it's being in the city that i see these people... one woman driving this thing around town/on the highway. on the phone. oblivious.

there should be certain requirements to owning these. including special drivers licenses, but also proving the need to own one in the first place.

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

amblito — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:58:48 EDT

@Mad_Science: A Toureg can pull a jumbo jet [www.autoblog.com]

Jalopnik looks like a website from 1994 when viewed with Safari at the moment. :(

amblito

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mad_Science — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:58:31 EDT

@Unregular: Even though the numbers would probably favor your position, my personal experience makes me knee-jerk for a counter point. There have got to be more people than you think who use these for more than shlepping.

Mad_Science

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mad_Science — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:54:10 EDT

Despite the fact that most of these are unnecessary, it's worth pointing out that a ladder-frame "real truck" SUV makes more sense than most crossovers or something like a Toureg/Cayenne/GLK.

These things can actually tow. And by tow, I mean 5 people + gear + 4000lb trailer, not a jet ski or little utility trailer.

When crossovers first started coming out...I could never figure out the appeal of a vehicle with all of the drawbacks of an SUV, but none of the capability.

Mad_Science

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:46:23 EDT

it does look like a joke. couldn't get a good angle for a photo? nice headlights and rounded door glass. the rearend should say "wide load". the only people i EVER see driving these are 250lb+ women sitting 14" from the wheel, talking on the phone, going to pick up some fat kid who is certainly snacking on something.

if you drive this on the road, i am laughing at you. you, however, are oblivious to that fact. and most other facts.

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

amblito — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:42:09 EDT

Looks like a joke car. About as desirable as herpes.

amblito

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

danio3834 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:33:25 EDT

@Ray Wert: Nice writeup.

As the owner of a one generation removed GMT SUV, I've found great practicality with my 'Burban.

Besides using it to crush small Hybrids and Segways, its come in extremely useful in long distance trips, for loading with a ton of people and gear, and towing competition vehicles long distances while loaded with people and gear.

I still manage high teens mpg wise with mixed driving (unloaded), although my UV packs around 130 less horsepower than the modern version.

danio3834

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:27:11 EDT

@jakay11: We've done SUV's before. For instance:

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
2007 Ford Expedition EL
2006 Hummer H3
2007 Mercury Mountaineer

And don't forget our review of the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali.

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

drewheyman — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:24:41 EDT

@jakay11: jalopnik has always reviewed SUVs. They usually pull a Farago and bash them for poor gas mileage, which makes one wonder what the point is of reviewing them in the first place, but they have always reviewed them.

However, you are right about the change in the air. This review doesn't bash at all, and there was a lukewarm review of an Audi a few weeks ago. Something strange is going on...

drewheyman

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

TriShield — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:21:51 EDT

I really hate the bug-eyed look the Yukon has, if I have to get one make it the Chevy.

TriShield

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

cgarison — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:11:50 EDT

@PASTOЯ POLAЯ: I would have to go with an Excursion or a Suburban/Tahoe XL to justify getting something bigger than my GranMa. The only advantage that a Tahoe has over my full size BOF M75 is that it is four wheel drive and my car is rear wheel drive.

cgarison

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:59:34 EDT

@Mad_Science: it's not your fault. it's not your fault. it's not your fault.

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mad_Science — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:56:37 EDT

Growing up the oldest of 4 kids in a family that spent sunny days towing boats and snowy days in the mountains, big truck based SUVs are my automotive equivalent of Mom's Home Coookin'. We had a 3/4 ton Suburban (4.10:1 rearend FTW).

Of course, that was during the $1.10/gal, pre-oil wars, pre global warming (kinda) 90s. Not to mention most cars of the era totally sucked.

In the intervening years, I've come to realize how my family's active lifestyle came to represent the "Active Lifestyle" that so many dirt-o-phobic suburb dwellers use to justify their purchases. I've realized how few of these things are used in a manner that justifies their ownership, and it kinda sickens me.

Mad_Science

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:54:14 EDT

@Unregular: Plus Ben. Plus another body at one point. So total of four guys (five guys at one point) and cameras, laptops, video cameras, tripods, overnight bags, etc.

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

1300ccsoffury — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:50:31 EDT

@elhigh: Oh like you've never seen a self-centered Civic driver...

1300ccsoffury

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:48:13 EDT

wow i'm spaced... out... man.

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

jakay11 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:46:44 EDT

wow.

a SUV write-up... who woulda thunk that here on Jalopnik.

(well, maybe if Al Navarro was using one to tow his newly aquired Rotus...)

I need to go look outside to see if the sky is falling.

But seriously, Guess you gotta do what ya gotta do for those free wheels...

Wow.
Still floored.

Can't wait till day three (like the comments from the Subi Forrester... :)

jakay11

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:46:13 EDT

There's this tiny little woman all of five feet tall a block over from me, and watching her try to launch her tight little frame off the running boards to get inside her behemoth Excursion is YouTube material. They have two kids (like me), they don't tow anything (like me), and they commute better than 40 miles/day (like me, well I do over 60), I just don't get it. Claustrophobiacs of the world, Rejoice! The end of enclosed car rides is here! It's the open concept on wheels!! Pretty soon we'll have an SUV decorating show, "TRADING SUV'S"!

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Unregular — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:46:09 EDT

With an extra two guys in town and their assorted video and camera equipment, that standard CUV's just going to end up getting stuffed to the gills.

3 guys and some cameras?

Unregular

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:45:45 EDT

@ash78: Nice. Fixed.

Ray Wert

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Mikeee — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:43:40 EDT

Hehe, yesterday's white Beemer X5 got more torque out of less than half of the engine displacement and gets a hair under 30 MPG.

Still a very very lovely SUV this GMC though I'm really yearning for some torquey oil burning goodness to go along with it.

The future GM 4.5 liter Diesel unit swapped into this should be heaven.

Mikeee

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Buckster — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:30:14 EDT

I love the Yukon/TaHoe. It's like driving a big fluffy couch down the highway. But low teen mpg #'s cant be justified for a grocery getter. We purchased a Acadia instead, it has just as much room with better fuel economy. I do miss the V8 goodness though and it feels like a minivan (I like minivans, wifey dosn't).

Buckster

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

FatBraff — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:24:52 EDT

@acarr260: true... but his will stay stock.

If I owned it, it would probably end up Flat Black with 22" flat black rims... similar to Rob Drydeks vehicle...

FatBraff

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Maymar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:20:33 EDT

I have absolutely no need for one of these. I'm a single guy, with no kids or dependents. I live in an apartment, in the city, and I'm about five miles from work. I like small cars that handle well and don't use much gas. And my towing needs could be filled by a Miata (well, I'm assuming a Miata could tow a motorcycle). I'd still love one of these.

Maymar

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Elhigh — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:14:51 EDT

@prndl: I hear you. Before I started homeschooling, that was one of my main complaints with those people - their kids are somehow too special to walk the extra 50 feet? I always let mine off as soon as we came adjacent to the sidewalk.

Further evidence of the "me first" beating out the more civic-minded "you too" mindset.

Elhigh

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

YankBoffin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:11:25 EDT

So, basically, you're initial review is saying that this is a great job site and work vehicle-- great for moving a group of dudes and their gear around. I can buy into that. Sounds like it's still worthless and silly for most families, lest they regularly haul the powerboat to the lake cottage on weekends or whatever.

I used to say the Astro van was the perfect alternative to big SUVs, but, well, they don't make that anymore.

YankBoffin

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

prndl — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:03:51 EDT

You should see them lined up lined up dropping kids off at schools around here. One at a time stopping right at the beginning of the sidewalk while the rest of us wait.

OR MY FAV self-created traffic jam waiting halfway in the street and blocking the entrance. Don't forget the princess wave after we all stop for you.

Rant over.

-Peace out

prndl

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

turbofreak — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:03:32 EDT

All of these car reviews are great. Keep up the good work!

turbofreak

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ash78 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:03:17 EDT

Funny thing is that I'm seeing more of the later-model SUVs trickling down into the lower classes. It used to be that every tenth one I'd see had 24" rims. Now it's like half of them. And they're either the local gangsta wanna-bes or a greasy white guy with Illinois plates, yapping on a cell phone, weaving while trying to do 80mph on I-65 during rush hour so he can get the family to the FL Gulf coast before dark, even though it's his 10th straight hour of driving. Usually with a vanity plate like "VITO" or "PRINCE G" or something.

Ash78

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

acarr260 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:57:11 EDT

@Ω βгåғғ™: not after you install the Dubs...

acarr260

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

FatBraff — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:54:13 EDT

My buddy just bought one of these, fully-loaded in black... Looks great and drives awesome.

It is the "un-pretentious" version of the Escalade.

FatBraff

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

elwood — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:53:04 EDT

Yeah, its nice to know that the people who drive these monstrosities can barely see me in my car either.

elwood

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

mytdawg — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:41:26 EDT

And every time you see a suburban mall mom in one she's got a maximum of 1 bag of groceries and a toddler. But she's safe. Nobody else is because she's yappin on her damn phone and got one eye on the kid and paying absolutely zero attention to the road or anybody else. But she's safe.

I hate that Barbie bitch and her pink Corvette too.

mytdawg

2008 GMC Yukon Denali, Part One

Ash78 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:39:51 EDT

"soccer mom is need not apply"?
(first post always has to be grammatically-oriented)

I wish more need-based buyers owned these. I'd probably like them a lot more. But this is one of those three-tenths utility vehicles for most people. I see them in the Lowe's parking lot as I load a 12' ladder into the back of my midsize sedan.

Ash78