Is It a Worthy Luxury Competitor? The 2023 GMC Yukon Denali
For the 2023 model year, when you choose a GMC Yukon Denali, you have to be more specific. Is the “Ultimate” trim worth the extra cost?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
SUV
shoppers have plenty of options to choose from. Compact models can go for less than $20,000 while supercar brands like Lamborghini have sport-utility vehicles worth over $200,000. With a spectrum like that, it’s easy to fit in the middle, and the 2023
GMC Yukon Denali
does just that. With a starting price of $72,600, the Yukon Denali continues to do what it’s done for years: offer a luxury SUV experience without the luxury SUV price.2023 GMC Yukon Denali gets an ‘ultimate’ upgrade
Since its redesign in 2021, the GMC Yukon hasn’t changed much. But that hasn’t diminished its initial appeal, especially for the top “Denali” trim, which
Autoblog
says generally makes up for about 40% of all Yukon sales.The Denali trim is truly where the Yukon separates itself from the mid-range full-size SUV pack. With added tech, improved interior materials, and a standard diesel engine, it lets the Yukon rub shoulders with Lincolns and Cadillacs without raising the cost to luxury-car heights.
For the 2023 Yukon, GMC made it clear that the brand is paying attention to the Denali’s success. To take advantage, they added the Denali Ultimate trim to the mix, offering a uniquely trimmed interior, metal badging, and most importantly, the option to include
SuperCruise
.Is the Denali Ultimate trim worth the price bump?
The GMC Yukon Denali flirts with luxury. The Yukon Denali Ultimate achieves it. Originally introduced for the
2022 GMC Sierra
, the Denali Ultimate package includes an exclusive “Vader Chrome” finish, unique 22-inch wheels, full-grain leather seats, and relief-map interior etchings.These finishing touches are nice, but the main feature drivers get access to through the top trim is GM’s top-of-line driver-assist system, SuperCruise.
A step up from most driving tech, SuperCruise can take care of most driving activity (lane changing, braking, accelerating) on many U.S. roads.
Jumping up to the Denali Ultimate will cost you, though. While the original Denali trim costs about $10,000 less than a base Cadillac Escalade, the Denali Ultimate’s starting price of nearly $92,000 puts the SUV squarely in the luxury brand bracket.
Coverage for a Yukon Denali
Car insurance for a GMC Yukon Denali can be expensive, whether you stick with the original or level up to a Denali Ultimate.
On average, Denali premiums for the top trim cost about $400 more every year than they do for other Yukons. Coverage data on the Denali Ultimate isn’t out yet, but it’s safe to say that its extra features and pricey parts will increase the SUV’s average rate.
That said, trim level generally doesn’t affect car insurance rates nearly as much as the provider you choose. That’s why you can save so much by shopping for coverage with Jerry.
A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance.
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