GMC Yukon XL

– Miami, Florida

When it comes to proper body-on-frame sport-utility vehicles, in top trim with tons of luxury appointments, one doesn’t have to look much farther than the 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali. This bold and imposing seven-passenger vehicle is the latest iteration of a long lineage from General Motors, and it most certainly delivers on many fronts. From the brute force of the V8 powerplant to finer details like the 4G LTE hotspot, wireless charging, and power everything, the Yukon makes the daily drive that much more accommodating.

Pros

• If I had to settle on a favorite aspect of the 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali, it would have to be the styling. Its attractive and contemporary design either has motorists excusing themselves from left lane or increases your home value by merely being parked in your driveway. The exterior is accented with modern HID/LED lighting and a striking Iridium Metallic paint job (that tacks another $395 on the as-tested price). The range-topping Denali also comes standard with 20-inch wheels, but the $2,680 Open Road Package on this tester adds 22-inch seven-spoke wheels.
• On the road, the Yukon XL Denali has plenty to offer any driver seeking the total package. The Magnetic Ride Control suspension (also shared with the Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CTS-V) is composed and supple at both city and highway speeds, backed up by competent braking capability for such a large vehicle. The engine is the tried and true 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8, producing 420 ho...