GMC Yukon Denali (2007)

Spacious, refined interior

Interior space is roomier - including increased cargo capacity - and has a spacious, luxurious environment, thanks to a premium two-tone color scheme and a lower-positioned instrument panel. New thinner, sculpted seat designs and detailed trim affirm Yukon 's craftsmanship, which is bolstered by amenities such as heated seats for first- and second-row passengers. Also, the front seats offer more fore/aft and recline travel, and the second-row seats have an increased seatback recline angle for added comfort.

The two-tone interior appearance contributes to the vehicles' aura of a roomy, luxury sedan. The upscale styling is complemented by new, softer and low-gloss materials for the instrument panel and other trim pieces. The harmonious color and grain of the materials was carefully selected to provide a premium feel as well as durability. Flush-mounted controls and radios, with almost imperceptible gaps, convey precision and integration. Chrome accents are used on instrument surrounds, vents and other trim.

Craftsmanship also is revealed in unexpected areas: distinctive sill plates with no visible hardware greet occupants when the doors are opened and there are no exposed fasteners or hardware on the pillars, seats or seat tracks. The seats have "close-outs" that surround the seat bottoms and seat tracks, creating a more finished appearance. Fasteners and hardware are covered, too, when the seats are folded.

As with the exterior, Yukon Denali is distinguished with exclusive, premium features, including luxurious nuance leather seating surfaces, unique center console, enhanced interior bright work and detailed, highly finished embossed sill plates that greet passengers when they open any of the Yukon Denali's doors. The unique center console has wood trim that conceals the lid and cupholder pockets, creating a more finished and refined appearance.

The Yukon family also offers a new, industry-exclusive power fold-and-tumble second-row seat feature that eases access to the third-row seat. The power fold-and-tumble second-row seats feature release buttons accessible by the driver or on the interior C-pillar to provide an easy, immediate release of the seat to create an access path to the third-row seat or cargo area.

Tri-Zone climate control is standard on all models. Automatic climate control is standard on Yukon Denali and Yukon SLT; it is available on Yukon SLE. A remote start feature, standard on SLT/Denali models and available on SLE, allows the climate system to heat or cool the vehicle's interior. An enhanced array of audio, infotainment and safety options also is available and includes an available touch-screen navigation system, as well as a DVD system with larger flip-down screen.

There is more space inside the SUVs, as well. More fore/aft front seat travel provides the segment's leading legroom for front-seat passengers. Second-row seat legroom and knee room, and third-row seat headroom are increased over the previous models. The second- and third-row seats also have more shoulder room - a feat accomplished while also offering available roof-mounted head curtain side air bags. Cargo room has increased 4.2 cubic feet (118.9 liters) behind the second row seats and 2.3 cubic feet (65.1 liters) behind the third row. The third-row seats fold flat and are easily tumbled forward or removed for maximum cargo area. Also, the center console storage compartment, at 20.1 liters of capacity, is the segment's largest. The glove box offers 25 percent more storage space than previous models and features damped opening operation that bolsters quietness and refinement.

Responsive driving experience

The '07 Yukon and Yukon Denali are built on GM's new full-size SUV platform, which incorporates features such as a new, fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. The new frame offers 49 percent increased torsional stiffness and 35 percent improvement in beaming frequency, compared to previous models. The frame supports wider front and rear tracks - approximately 3 inches (76.2 mm) wider in front and 1 inch (25.4 mm) wider in the rear - that enhance stability and driving confidence through a more secure road feel and a lower center of gravity.

The front suspension consists of an all-new coil-over-shock design that delivers linear, solid and unwavering ride and handling characteristics on all road surfaces. Also new is a rack-and-pinion steering system that provides precise and responsive control and enhanced on-center feel. A highly-refined five-link rear suspension provides superior isolation and ride, with larger, firmer brackets that also contribute to the vehicles' precise driving manners.

Larger, four-wheel disc brakes and an all-new ABS system ensure braking performance at the top of the segment. Larger vented front and rear brake rotors, 50-percent stiffer dual-piston calipers, longer-life brake pads and a new, robust tie-rod-type apply system contribute to enhanced pedal feel, reduced brake noise, predictable, linear brake response and shorter braking distances. A new, Bosch 8.0 next-generation four-channel ABS system also is standard. The ABS system works with the standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system. In the new SUVs, StabiliTrak incorporates the first-time GM application of roll-over mitigation, software algorithm technology that uses sensors to proactively predict vehicle "tip-up" and applies appropriate brake forces to prevent such events.

Enhanced driving control and ride smoothness is offered with the available Autoride real-time damping system (standard on Yukon Denali), which uses electronically controlled shock absorbers to make nearly instantaneous damping adjustments. The system "reads" the road and anticipates the best damping rates.

Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on Yukon, with 18-inch wheels standard on Yukon Denali. Twenty-inch wheels are available on Yukon and Yukon Denali. The wheels are designed with premium-appearance faces, including available chrome or polished finish. Yukon Denali wheels are exclusive. New tires are tailored to the vehicles to provide excellent balance of handling, quietness and safety.

A new Gen IV small-block V-8 family powers the Yukon family and offers more power than comparable powertrains in previous models. A 5.3L small-block V-8 is standard at start of production in Yukon and is rated at 320 horsepower (238 kw) and 340 lb.-ft. of torque (470 Nm) an 8 percent horsepower increase compared to the previous 5.3L engine. A Flex-Fuel E85 version, which is capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel or a mixture of E85 and gasoline, is standard on 4WD models and available on 2WD models. E85 is comprised of 85 percent ethanol, which is a renewable resource fuel produced in the United States. A 4.8L V-8 engine, rated at 290 horsepower (216 kw) will become the standard engine of Yukon 2WD models later in the '06 model year.

The 5.3L engine's Displacement On Demand technology enables better fuel economy. When combined with other vehicle-wide features, including improved aerodynamics, the small-block V-8 helps provide the segment's best fuel economy. The 6.2L engine of the Yukon Denali is all-new, with advanced technologies and lightweight materials - including variable valve timing and an aluminum cylinder block - contributing to the vehicle's uncompromising performance. It produces 380 horsepower (283 kw) and 415 lb.-ft. of torque (564 Nm).

The engines are backed by proven Hydra-Matic electronically controlled automatic transmissions, including a new 6L80 six-speed that is matched with the 6.2L engine.

The six-speed automatic has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio - including two overdrive gears - that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the 6L80 has a "tap up/tap down" capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with a button on the column shifter.

Safety and security

As with all vehicles built on GM's new full-size SUV platform, the '07 Yukon family features a 360-degree safety system designed around the pillars of occupant protection, driver control and personal safety.

New features, including exclusive safety belt pretensioners linked to sensors for rear-end crashes, are integrated into a stronger vehicle structure that is also designed for improved compatibility with other vehicles - helping Yukon protect those inside and outside of the vehicle before, during and after a crash. The exclusive rear pretensioner sensors can trigger the front seat pretensioners during a rear-end collision, holding the occupants firmly in place and helping to prevent whiplash injuries

Also, new roof-mounted head curtain air bags with tethers are available for all seating rows (standard on Yukon Denali). The roof-mounted air bags' tether system keeps the bags in place longer to further protect and contain occupants. The bags stay inflated for several seconds longer to provide optimum protection in the case of a rollover or crash with secondary impacts. Sensors located at the front and rear of the vehicles, as well as the side doors provide increased and more immediate crash detection.

The myriad of crash sensors are complemented by increased roll-over detection from the standard StabiliTrak stability control system with new rollover mitigation technology. The electronically controlled system continuously measures the side angle of the vehicle and, if a rollover appears imminent, it can deploy the side-curtain air bags before the crash occurs. The 360 degrees of detection capability allows the electronically controlled safety systems to deploy in a greater variety of situations.

Crash avoidance is bolstered through enhanced driver control dynamics, driven by the standard StabiliTrak stability control system. It is supported by dynamics such as wider front and rear tracks, as well as more responsive suspensions. The vehicles' stronger and stiffer, fully-boxed frame is designed for improved crash energy management. The front frame section, for example, has improved crush dynamics that provides the equivalent of 17.7 inches (450 mm) of additional crush space - in vehicles that are only approximately 3 inches (76.2 mm) longer than their predecessors. The frame also is designed for improved vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a frontal impact with a smaller vehicle.

Additional safety and security features include:
+ Standard dual-stage driver's front air bag
+ Standard dual-stage outboard-front passenger air bag with passenger occupant detection system
+ 5-star frontal impact ratings anticipated
+ Standard tire pressure monitoring system
+ Available rain-sensing wiper system
+ Available Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist that can detect people or objects in the rearward path of the vehicle and send an audible warning sound
+ Available rear-view camera system that can visually detect people or object in the rearward path of the vehicle
+ Standard pull-up/push-down power window switches

All models come with the Generation 6 OnStar system (with a one-year Safe and Sound service plan), which provides the personal protection component of Yukon 's safety pillars. The system includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to emergency services to potentially dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. If the vehicle is in a crash that activates an airbag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an OnStar Advisor who will check on the occupants or summon emergency help if necessary. OnStar also can assist authorities in locating a vehicle if it is reported stolen (ability to locate stolen vehicles varies with conditions).

Denali details

The iconic Yukon Denali delves deeper into the luxury SUV realm with enhanced features and craftsmanship that distinguish it from other models. It is a comprehensive package of performance, amenities and style that delivers a powerful, understated elegance that is unique to GMC.

Yukon Denali remains instantly identifiable, with its Denali-specific chrome grille. In addition to the grille, the '07 model includes chrome-accented side molding, roof rack trim and other bright work treatments. Additionally, the headlamps and taillamps are unique and feature a premium, crystalline appearance and distinctive lighting patterns.

The new Yukon Denali is powered by an exclusive, 380-horsepower (283 kw) 6.2L V-8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission with tap-up/tap-down shifting and automatic all-wheel drive - a powertrain not shared with any other Yukon model. Eighteen-inch polished aluminum wheels are standard and unique 20-inch factory installed chrome-finish aluminum wheels are available - the wheel designs are not shared with other Yukon models.

Yukon Denali also offers a unique combination of interior style and luxury, including standard nuance leather-covered seating with heated first- and second-row seats, as well as leather trim throughout - including a Denali-exclusive leather-wrapped steering wheel, which also features real wood accents and a host of auxiliary controls. Yukon Denali also is the only model in the Yukon family to offer an available heated steering wheel.

Other standard features include power liftgate, power release 2 nd row fold-and-tumble seat, roof-mounted side-curtain air bags, power-adjustable pedals, electrochromic (auto-dimming) inside mirror, RainSense automatic windshield wipers, remote start and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist. From an entertainment standpoint, Yukon Denali comes standard with an AM/FM MP3-capable radio with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, Bose premium nine-speaker sound system and XM Satellite Radio.

Like other Yukon models, the Yukon Denali offers several helpful and convenient options, including a navigation radio system, rear-view camera system, power sunroof, power-retractable assist steps (available mid-year) and a rear-seat, DVD-based entertainment system.