AUTO RED BOOK REVIEW: 2012 GMC YUKON XL DENALI 4X4

On The Cover Review: 2012 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4x4

If you want the fanciest version of the Chevy Suburban on the market, but don’t want the Gangsta’ stigma of the Cadillac Escalade ESV, you can get most of the luxury with a little less bling when you choose a GMC Yukon XL Denali. For someone who needs to tow as much as 8,000-lbs, these are some of the nicest SUV’s on the market. And even if you don’t need to tow that much, there is a reason some people are willing to pay for the gas to feed one of these bruisers. For long-distance traveling, there’s something about that long, heavy, body-on-frame platform that no car, crossover, or minivan can duplicate. And this is a real four-wheel-drive truck, so it is ready for the severe use that you would expect from a less fancy version, say, the snowplow that clears off the local Wal-Mart parking lot. The top-level Denali comes with a 6.2-liter V8 that produces a whopping 403-hp, but it still manages an 18-mpg/highway fuel mileage rating. No, the Yukon XL Denali isn’t the best choice for someone who commutes into downtown New York City, but for someone who needs this kind of strength and power, it would be hard to find a better vehicle.