The GMC Denali nameplate is used by General Motors' heavy truck division, GMC, on its top-of-the-line. The name applies to the top version of all SUVs as well as pick-up trucks in the GMC line-up. Vehicles with the Denali trim option carry MSRPs (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) up to 43% higher than those of the regular models. Prices range from $37,145 for Envoy Denali to $64,615 for a top-of-the-line Yukon XL Denali. The Denali nameplate is often used as an insignias or status symbol. The Yukon Denali in particular is a popular vehicle among popular culture, as a less costly alternative to the Cadillac Escalade. The Yukon Denali line typically represents 40% of Yukon Sales. ( In units and dollars.)
The Denali nameplate started as the top-of-the-line version of the GMC Yukon for the 1999 model year. It was also GM's first attempt to cannabalize sales from the new-for-1998 Lincoln Navigator. At the time of it's introduction General Motors decided to give Cadillac its own luxury SUV so the Denali's exterior was shared with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, with only the front fascia and lower side body panels differing from the standard Yukon. Even though the Yukon was redesigned alongside the Chevrolet Suburban and Chevrolet Tahoe in 2000, the Denali and Escalade retained their 1990s base design.
The "Denali" moniker is derived from the native name for Mount McKinley in Alaska, and is also the name of the national park that surrounds the mountain, as well as a state park.
In 1998 at the time of it's introduction the Yukon Denali's exterior, which it later shared with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, differed from the standard Yukon in the front fascia and lower side body panels as well as having unique 16" polished aluminum wheels and a special exhaust cutout for a right side-exiting cast exhaust tip. The interior of the Denali also featured several upgrades not available on the mainstream Yukon. These standard features included an upgraded Nuance leather interior, driver and passenger 6-way power seats with power lumbar support, front and rear heated seats, a Delco/Bose 7 speaker (including subwoofer) audio system, an in-dash cassette, single CD player and an in-console 6-disc CD changer. Zebrano woodgrain accents decorated the front doors and center console. The front and rear doors featured unique "Yukon Denali" stitching in the panels.
The 350 cubic inch 5.7-litre 255 horsepower (L31) V8 was the only engine offered. RPO ZM9 was standard which included Bilstein 46mm shock absorbers and 3.73 front and rear axle ratios as well as a locking rear differential. Separate coolers for the transmission and engine oil were also standard. The Denali upgrade also included GM's automatic transfer case which allowed for push button transitions from 2-wheel high to 4-wheel high to 4 wheel low or fully automatic switching from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive.
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