2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate: The Best Just Got Better

Germany has the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Japan has the Lexus LS, Sweden has the Volvo S90, and we Americans have luxury full-size SUVs. Specifically, the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate. It sounds insane to make such a comparison, but what GMC has done with the Yukon to make it a Denali, and then into an “Ultimate” model is truly stunning. It’s packed with features and creature comforts typically only seen in high-end luxury cars. The “Ultimate” part of its name might sound silly at first, but experiencing it as compared to a normal Denali, and the differences are significant enough to warrant the extra name.

This particular Yukon Denali Ultimate carried a price tag of nearly $109,000. The base price starts at $101,800. It’s equipped with the lighting pack, which adds some trick exterior lighting, including some underglow-style running lights under the electrically deployed running boards. Surprisingly, the gorgeous 24-inch wheels were standard equipment with a 22-inch version being an optional extra. The stunning shade of blue exterior paint appropriately called, “Downpour Metallic” is a $495 option that is well worth it. A cargo convenience pack, and trailering pack round out this example’s options, which include a “Night Vision” camera view that appears directly in the gauge cluster when selected.

2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate First Impressions

The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is stunning upon first glance. Finished here in a wonderful blue called “Downpour Metallic”. It’s a light blue/green with a slight color-shifting pearl effect. It’s absolutely mesmerizing, and has a rich dark brown interior called “Woodland Mahogany”. This is a spectacular and classy way to do the classic “blue on tan” color combination. Beyond just the colors, the body of the Yukon has been revised. The headlights are more streamlined. The wheels have grown from 22-inches to 24, and are a much more elegant design.

The whole vehicle appears more serious and expensive. It looks and feels more it’s price than before. The quality is impeccable. Everything is married neatly, with no rattles or loose plastic pieces hanging anywhere. In its lowest suspension setting, the

sits at a ride height that accentuates the large wheel-to-body ratio. In its highest setting, it stands proud, appearing to be ready for any terrain or weather that may lie ahead. Did I mention the blue paint is amazing? It’s honestly surprising it isn’t the most expensive color option.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Allow me to paint the wonderful picture that is the Denali Ultimate experience. You first get in, and the whole car rises to your preset ride height. You set off in your 16-way heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, which also have speakers on the headrests. You sit back and relax as you enter the highway and turn on Supercruise to allow the vehicle to quite literally drive itself along the highway. So you’re getting a hot or cooled massage while listening to your favorite tunes through a 22-speaker Bose performance sound system, while being driven by a 420-horsepower V-8 full-size SUV rolling on 24-inch wheels.

GM’s MagneRide/air suspension is at work keeping all bumps at bay and ensuring you have a cloud-like ride to your destination. It truly is one of the greatest driving experiences I’ve ever had, and I will die on the hill that it goes toe-to-toe with any other luxury car currently on the market. Thank you, GMC, for making everyday monotonous driving a pleasure.

Braking And Acceleration

The new Yukon Denali Ultimate gains larger wheels, but once again the magic of GM’s MagneRide takes care of all but the sharpest of bumps. Measuring 24 inches in diameter, these aren’t the most off-road-friendly wheels/tires, but they do level-up the Denali Ultimate’s curb appeal significantly. The trade-off in a slightly livelier ride is arguably worth it. This vehicle still rides far smoother than most on the market, allowing for a blissful motoring endeavor. Acceleration is brisk, at 6 seconds flat, and it feels it, too.

I was never a fan of the Ford/GM 10-speed collaboration, but this latest tune is quite good. The shifts feel more seamless, quicker, and work better with the vehicle. Gone is the clunkiness and laziness revealed in other products/brands. You get the sense this transmission is now, more than ever, making the very most of every bit of horsepower available. The Yukon is not small, it feels significant. It doesn’t “drive” small either. It feels the type of heavy that exudes a luxurious nature. It has an array of drive modes suited to all kinds of driving situations, like weather, towing, off-road, and even a sport mode. The steering has a great weight to it; not too heavy to be hard work, but not too light as to make things jittery.

The initial pedal feel of the brakes on the Yukon Denali is still a bit spongy at the top of the pedal, something that hasn’t changed from the pre-refresh model. Once you dig into the brakes a bit more, they perform well, but a more confident initial bite would be a welcome update. The numbers don’t lie and requiring around 175 feet to stop from 70 MPH isn’t very far in a vehicle this massive. The Denali is equipped with a factory-installed trailer brake controller, helpful when towing larger trailers.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 6.0 Seconds
• Braking: 70-0 MPH: 175 Feet

Performance Specifications

GMC Yukon Denali Fuel Economy

The Yukon Denali Ultimate has a combined EPA rating of 18 MPG. Surprisingly, I experienced a worse MPG rating within city limits, but better MPGs out on the open highway. In the end, the average was just about bang-on what the EPA rating was for an average combined fuel economy rating for the fairly thirsty 6.2-liter V-8. Still, these numbers aren’t actually that terrible considering how much engine you get pushing a huge brick through the air, rolling on 24’s.

Interior Design And Comfort

The interior of the 2025 Yukon Denali Ultimate is an absolute masterpiece by GMC. The “Woodland Mahogany” interior is a particularly gorgeous shade of brown that I can’t help but think this is GMC’s version of “King Ranch.” It’s a wonderful saddle-like leather with large cross-stitching and a texture that hints at a topographical map, specifically, the Denali National Park. A similar graphic appears across all the screens when you enter the vehicle. As mentioned before, these beautiful seats are equipped with speakers, heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, to which new kneading patterns have been added.

Being a refreshed model, much of the interior functionality is carried over from last year’s model, which is no bad thing. The second-row seats are heated and can be moved forward and aft. A rear ventilated option is available. The massive panoramic sunroof has a powered shade and large front glass opening. It makes the already large cabin feel extra-roomy. Most of the primary touchpoints are covered in high-quality materials with some secondary touchpoints left in scratchy plastic. All three rows offer ample space for adults. Visibility is great, especially when you have a digital rearview mirror (I personally hate using it, but others find it helpful). The 360-degree overhead view is helpful when parking too. Soundproofing is better than most, properly isolating occupants from the outside world.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

The GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate interior is a tech-filled space. The new portrait-style massive center screen is vibrant and houses nearly all the functions of the vehicle and infotainment. It utilizes physical buttons at the bottom that adapt to the different functions you access through the screen. This hybrid functionality takes a bit to get used to, but after a while it becomes second nature. The driver now has a new gauge cluster, capable of shuffling through six different displays. The integrated “Night Vision” is displayed here, along with two views of full map layouts, one being a CarPlay mirrored map. Then there are three, more traditional layouts, showing more vehicle-related information.

The rear passengers have a total of three screens to play with, two being purely infotainment and once in the center for climate/seat heating controls. As mentioned before, the 22-speaker Bose “Performance Series” stereo impresses with deep bass, clear treble, and plenty of volume to shake the rearview mirror. Headphones are provided for rear passengers. The heads-up display is one of the brightest I’ve experienced, and can be helpful, but I found the physical housing for it does affect your forward view just slightly. The 360-degree camera system is brilliant, clear, and so helpful for easy parking/maneuvering. The back end of the infotainment is GM’s newest, and runs smoothly and easily. Phone connection is instant.

Cargo And Storage Space

There is no shortage of storage spaces within the GMC Yukon. The Denali models are no different. With plenty of cargo space even behind the third row when in its upright position, you can use the rear-mounted buttons to electrically fold both the third and second rows. This creates a massive flat cargo area, unless you then opt for the second row to be unlatched and folded up (to where they touch the front row seats), which creates even more space on the vehicle floor in addition to the already large flat loading surface of the third row and rear shelf.

In essence, you can turn your Yukon into a carpeted Sierra. There are cupholders and USBC chargers everywhere. There’s a hidden storage compartment accessed above the main infotainment screen and my favorite is the sliding center console. This houses another hidden storage compartment and doubles as a surface/cupholder area for the second row occupants when in the extended position. Door pockets are large and can carry most water bottles.

2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate Vs. Its Competitors

The GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate and Ford Expedition Platinum have both received updates in the form of a refresh, while the Jeep Grand Wagoneer receives more minor updates for the 2025 model year. All three carry seven (or more) occupants in total comfort and style. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, but are also great examples of true American luxury.

How The GMC Denali Ultimate Compares To The Ford Expedition Platinum

The

has always leaned more on the utilitarian side of the SUV scale, while the Yukon has served as a more glamorous option. For 2025, that trend continues. The Ford can still tow more, but the GMC is a sweeter place to spend time.

Performance

The numbers don’t lie. If you need more hauling power, the twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 from Ford is the little monster that could. With a towing capacity of 9,000 pounds and above as opposed to GMC’s 8,400, not to mention more available power and torque, the Expedition out muscles the Yukon in the performance department. Ford has introduced a “Tremor” model that directly competes with GMC’s “AT4” version of the Yukon, too.

Comfort

Obviously, being top trims of their models, both vehicles offer an immense amount of comfort. It’s ultimately the Denali Ultimate that still reigns as the comfort king. Both ride on questionable 24-inch wheels, and will inevitably be an ever-so-slightly more choppy ride. I’d prefer the 22’s or even a set of 20’s with some actual sidewalls to be honest. Inside the two, I see an improvement on Ford’s part, and the new Expedition is stunning, but it still isn’t quite Denali Ultimate level.

Technology

Both the Explorer Platinum and Yukon Denali Ultimate utilize new screen solutions in the cabin. Ford hasn’t adopted the super-wide dash-spanning screen from the new

, and instead offers a two-screen solution. One is a smaller infotainment screen, while the other is a longer (half-dash) length screen dedicated to gauge cluster/map readouts. It’s far more minimal than the Denali’s and especially the Grand Wagoneer’s.

I’d much prefer it that way. In the rear, Ford has opted for a solution inspired by the aviation industry. Gone are dedicated screens with preloaded content, and instead there are device holders that can adjust to many screen sizes, allowing you to use your own personal device, mounted to the seat in front. It’s an elegant and admittedly more usable solution.

How The GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate Compares To The Grand Wagoneer Series III

If you want more power, capability, and hauling needs for the whole family, Jeep’s

will not disappoint. If a comfortable isolation chamber on wheels is what you’d like, then GMC has your answer with the Yukon Denali Ultimate.

Performance

It’s good ol’ fashioned V-8 muscle versus new-age twin-turbocharged inline-six precision. Both offer punchy power, and while the Denali offers a strong initial hit of torque, it’s actually the Grand Wagoneer that delivers a higher output. By a lot, too. It’s up 120 horsepower and 61 pound-feet of torque over the Denali. It needs it, though, as the Grand Wagoneer weighs over 1,100 pounds more than the Denali Ultimate. The Grand Wagoneer is able to tow 1,400 more pounds than the Denali.

Comfort

Both interior comfort on an individual level, and for all occupants experiencing the ride quality, there are few vehicles able to best the GMC Yukon Denali Ulitimate. This includes the very well-equipped and beautiful Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It simply can’t compete with the extensive lengths GMC goes through to ensure utter peace for occupants within the vehicle.

Technology

Both the Yukon Denali Ultimate and the Grand Wagoneer have an insane amount of tech that is more than sufficient for most drivers (and passengers). Jeep even touts their “total inches of available display”, which, if you’re wondering, is 75 inches. That’s spread across seven, yes, seven separate screens. Absolutely overkill, but hey, if it’s what the people want, then you’ll have seven ways to burn your retinas. Everyone seems to be split on the importance of screen count these days, but for the pure accessibility factor, I’d say the Wagoneer has more adjustability.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

The Denali Ultimate is “the one” to get. Yes, a normal Denali is available, and yes, the Denali XL still exists, but this shorter and sweeter Denali Ultimate offers the perfect blend of space and luxury. It truly is the best of both worlds. After driving around town and in the suburbs, and even in deserted areas, I was convinced the Denali Ultimate is one of the most soothing automotive experiences on the road today. It has the capability you need of a

, but the features you want from something out of the world’s classiest sedans. The “Ultimate” trim level is worth investing in.