Engine, Ride, Features

Interior assembly is poor

I searched around for 1 Year before I decided on what I wanted. I wanted a vehicle that was not seen a lot on the road. I chose te Denali because of that, plus I loved the way it handled. The stereo is also very good, 10 speakers. The ultra plush leather, the rear seat audio are also great. I wish they had the 2 cargo dood option. My only aggravation with this vehicle is its electrical system. I've had 1 battery replaced after 3 jump starts,and I'm working on my second. After the truck was parked for 1 week, the battery was drained to the point I had to use the keys to unlock it. This has happened aprox 5 times. I have video/tv monitors and headreasts installed, they are connected that they all shut off once the ignition is off, so that is not the reason, as stated by the dealer. In addition to that, there were several issues that make this very expensive vehicle and GMC look shady to their claim of high quality products. The console for example. Paint was scraped off when my keys fell on it from about 8" above! But the engine and ride are incredible. In hot weather, the AC does not have to be on to cool you off, and I'm in San antonio, TX.

Comfort, size, cargo capacity, seat height, appearance, long term reputation of reliability

Fit and finish- rattles and creaks, GAS MILAGE, brakes, acceleration, seems underpowered, lack of trip computer, size in tight quarters

I purchased mine at 39k miles, a little over 6mos ago from the 2nd owner. He had purchased the truck from CarMax *includeing* a transferable 60k miles bumper to bumper warranty ! So far I have only 1 warranty claim for an engine manifold gasket. The claim was easily handled. Overall I am happy with the truck. I like how it looks and the fact that I do not see too many on the road (compared to a basic Yukon/Tahoe or the Escalade Ghetto bus). It is supremely comfortable to drive and ride in. I recently rode in a friends '99 Subruban LT, my Denali seats are much more supportive and confortable. The truck is perfect for long family trips. Everone has enough "personal space" and after the trip we are not tired or stiff. One flaw that was exposed during long trips (over ~3hr) with the A/C running is a periodic drip of condesation -inside- the truck. The drip hit the feet of someone riding in the front passenger seat. Curious and no one I have spoken to has experienced the same problem. Due to the size of the truck, I had an initial adjustment period (I came from a Jeep Cherokee). Maneuvering in tight areas requires care and planning. Turning radius is good and that helps. I like the standard Delco Bose audio system (6 disc changer standard), it is loud and clean after adjusting the bass responce... Seems the stock setting is for booming thumpy bass. Given the level of clarity, I suspect it take 4figures to better it in the aftermarket. Radio station sensitivity leaves something to be desired however. This truck guzzles gas ! Oh well, I knew that going in. What I did not expect was that the truck feels underpowered. The 2000 model year was the last for the 5.7 Vortec and 255hp. Acceleration is sluggish and going up steep bridges with the cruise control engaged causes the transmission to downshift. The brakes are just adequite. Feel is mushy and pedal travel is long. Due to the weight (and possibly the rear drums), stopping distances are longer than I expected. I have had the dealer check the brakes and they are operating to facotry specifications. Handling is better than I expected for such a big truck. Little body roll and very good lateral adhesion from the chassis. In the few sudden lane changes I have endured, the truck was smooth and trouble free. No sense of breakaway or instability. Fit and finish are below expectations. The truck has numerious creeks, rattles and fit gaps. For a truck that had an MSRP of $47k I am surprised at the parts bin quality plastic that is abundent in this truck. The body cladding is just screwed on and looks aftermarket. The plastic trim moldings around the rear door opening are starting to crack and bend. Competing upscale SUVs look and feel much more luxurious in comparison. This is were the humble tahoe backround is most appearant. Again, given the MSPR, I am surprised at the omission of a trip computer of any kind.

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Jeep Cherokee

Completely useful, great stereo, safe, on star, easy to drive, good looking, best way to travel on the ground

Could use the auto lifting/closing rear door, as well as, thrid seat folding into floor with touch of a button.

I bought my Denali XL one year old with 19,000 miles on it. It looked as though it was well cared for and it immediately caught the eye of botm my wife and me. Very good looking vehichle! We were looking for a Yukon XL and were not really aware of the nicities of the Denali. Now it would be very difficult to have anything less. I just turned 48,000 miles and have not had problem one. Nothing has ever held the road in snow and ice conditions as well as. We have had Subarus with awd and a variety of other 4fwd vehichles that do not hold a candle to the sure footedness of this Deanli. I generally like to get a new vehichle every year or so, mostly due to getting bored with the current vehichle. I can not imagine replacing this one. And when the time comes, it will be another!!! Well done GM! My fears of your products quality are gone.

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Yukon XL, Suburban, Navigator, Excursion

Ability to seat 7 without extended or long rear cab. Great visibility, good stereo, functional middle captain chairs, XM & On-Star choices, and power.

Stopping power and gas mileage can use some improvement.

Overall good example of 4-door SUVs.

Comfort, road handling and looks.

Darn leak...anyone else have this problem?

Nice Vehicle once you get past the annoying roof leak. Can't seem to resolve a leak that comes in just behind the review mirror and throught the rear temp. controls located in front of the rear view mirror.

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First one.

Sexy style. The sound system. The handling. THE COMFORT!!!! The rear captains seats are always commented on by visitors in the car, often evoking, man I need this in my next car! THE POWER!!! Great powerful engine. Nice and quiet inside.

Same old GM quality. Its always a love hate relationship. This is one of those you get rid of as soon as your warranty period is up.

This is a great ride, but ours has been in the shop for major repair a few times already! We traded in a Chevy Tahoe and moved into this vehicle, basically because it really is the best ride on the market in its class. Auto-leveling, and Stabilitrac system are unbelievable. Its often like riding in a towncar its so smooth over the choppy road underneath you. Test drive one of these then go to Chevy and test drive the Suburban - basically the same looking but a world of difference in handling. Try taking both to the same parking lot and do a complete circle and see the difference of the Denali. It cuts a circle in about half the space. The sound system is incredible. We opted for the sunroof and had a DVD/Playstation installed with screens in the headrests. Front and rear captains seats that are heated. XM radio on a 1200 mile trip is the only way to go. OnStar unlocked our doors for us for free when we accidentally locked our keys in the car. I just love the look of it - its very sexy....but here's the rub: We've had this car for less than 10 months and the A/C quit in the middle of Texas this summer.....That was a known problem with a switch - but a pretty big deal to us considering we were in the Texas heat with our new $52k vehicle. Then everything started going haywire. The radio was intermittantly not responding to volume controls, there was a funny noise under the hood which ended up being the compressor locking up. Im on my way now to go pick it up out of the shop....again.

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I still have my '92 Toyota 4 Runner which has over 100k miles on it and its still going like a champ and only in the shop for oil changes, and regular maintenence. Toyota quality is unbelievable. Trad

Ride,Sound System,Seat comfort,power

Gas mileage(about 15mpg) ...what do you expect. DVD can block rear view.

Wow! Hugs the road like a dream,quiet like a big tiger on the hunt-you know you've got the power IF you need the 320 hp 6.0 liter Vortec. Brakes seem better than Sequoia. Don't even think about a Ford Excursion, this outperforms in every important area. Bose system KICKS with clarity at full volume. Custom stereo shop friend says factory system easily beats majority of aftermarket. This vehicle is a head turner...NOT a soccer moms power trip truck - this is for the boys! Leather seats are great for long trips. I can go w/o back pain in this! On-Star and XM Radio are nice as well as 6 CD changer. DVD is with surround sound wireless headphones is the bomb for the kids. I strongly recommend XL model for the family as cargo space is very nice in XL. Finish seems nice on this one.

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1999 Olds Bravada, Ford Excursion

This is the 2nd Denali that I have purchased. My first Denali was a 2000 model that I leased. The 3rd one will be the one I purchase next week. This is why: On Tuesday July 22, 2003 we had a massive rain and windstorm in the area. It was the aftermath of the tornado the devastate Memphis TN. At 8:30 am I was on my way to Tupelo, MS when I was hit sideways by 70 mile an hour winds and it literally picked me up and blow me into 3 trees. The first tree I hit at 50 miles per hour at a height of 6 feet above ground. I was going south but the wind turned me around backwards and I hit the first tree at 6 foot high on the left front end. It took off the front bumper and grill. The second tree I hit at about 3 foot high were it took off the front wheel and moved most of the front end 2 foot sideways. The third tree I hit at ground level with the rear end where I finally came to rest. And then I opened the driver’s door and walked away. Had a miner cut on my left finger (didn’t even require stitches), bruised knee, and bruised ribs where the seat belt held me in place. Of course I and stiff and sore in places but after being checked at the hospital I walked to the car. The next day I drove and did my normal actives. MY GUARDIAN ANGLE WAS WITH ME AGAIN................

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Over the last 10 years, for my personal automobiles I have owned a Ford Eddie Bower Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Ford Eddie Bower Expedition, and last two have been Denali and I am headed to pur

Quality. Paint. Interior Noise. Steering.

I am sadly disappointed with the quality of my 2002 GMC Yukon Denali. I believed the reports that GMC/GM had improved their quality. I've owned mostly Toyotas and this thing is a world away in terms of quality. It is too loud and I'm getting 10 MPG, but the quality is what gets me for the $$$ paid for this vehicle. I will not buy another GM product. Quality is sad for a vehicle in this price range. I've had braking problems, computer problems, and paint problems with 42,000 miles on the vehicle.

Powerful 6.0 engine, heated seats, 2 driver memory, on star, voice activated phone, etc..... All of the above!

The only thing I could think of is the radio doesn't have a remote but that's no big deal.

I love the Denali more than any other vehicle I have ever owned. The Denali has a clean cut stuck up look at me attitude about it. It is powerful, roomy and loaded with everthing you could possibly imagine. I especially love the memory in the seats for 2 drivers. That is a huge plus in my book. Anyone considering on buying a Denali, I say go for it! Rides as smooth as it looks.

Similar Products Used:

2002 Suburban, 2003 Tahoe