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We’re told that GMC Yukon Denali buyers—who are some of General Motors’ wealthiest customers—don’t even consider a Chevrolet. In the same way that, once you stash a cheese grater in your kitchen drawer, there’s no going back to powdery Kraft Parmesan. The analogy may be a stretch, but it must be the 2018 Denali’s new front grille that brought it to mind—it looks ready to shred a wheel of pecorino.
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The new grille, which replaces the flat, square-holed design with a freer-breathing array of alternating thicker and thinner edges, echoes the look of the latest GMC Terrain and Acadia. It also incorporates automatic shutters to reduce drag. But the biggest efficiency improvement is likely to come from the installation of a 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed with Ford. The Denali, in either standard or XL length, is the third GM model to use the transmission, following the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the 2018 Tahoe RST. As in the RST, it’s paired with a 6.2-liter V-8 that’s good for 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Fuel-economy figures aren’t out, but GM said the 10-speed’s wider ratio spread and taller final drive should pare back the Denali’s thirst compared with the current eight-speed.
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- Instrumented Test: 2017 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4WD 8-Speed Automatic
- In-Depth Review: 2017 GMC Yukon / Yukon XL
- Chevrolet Unveils 6.2-Liter Tahoe and Sport-Look Suburban
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GMC also boasts of the new “Mastique Ash real wood” adorning the cabin. Otherwise, the Yukon Denali carries on its life purpose unchanged, as a three-row, leather-lined towing champ. But for those who require an even sharper grille, there’s always the Cadillac Escalade.
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