Like its cousin the Chevy Tahoe, the GMC Yukon has a certain audience, especially on the upscale Denali line. The target group here want a classy look and feel, and are willing to pay for that and all the features the model offers.

I recently drove a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali, and I’m back with a full report on my experience.

LOOKS
First thing, first, the Yukon is not trying to slim down like so many SUVs. This is a full-sized, truck-based SUV, not a crossover. It’s big, and it’s heavy. There’s no getting around that (my all-wheel drive test vehicle weighed in at 5,784 pounds).

The look of the Yukon is appealing, with a classy look all around. The presence of the dominant GMC grille out front lets folks know exactly what you are driving, and the interior design is high-end with wood trim throughout and leather-appointed seats that can be heated and cooled.

You get the option for an in-vehicle entertainment system, with screens folding down from above, which is OK but less convenient than the screens being in seatbacks -- as some companies offers. Either way, it’s a helpful thing to have if you are transporting kids around for long distances.

There are a variety of seating options in the Yukon line, with the maximum being space for 9 (only in the SLE model, if you go with bench seats in all three rows). My Denali tester featured cozy captain’s chairs in the middle and two seats up front, for a total of seven spots. The back row is pretty tight and I would recommend it for kids only (though that’s not just a knock on the Yukon -- it’s pretty much the rule across the board in big SUVs).

The versatility is a major high point on the Yukon, with push-button folding down of both the 2nd and third row of seats. This helps give you some pretty major storage space if the vehicle is not full of people.

Running boards on the side are an option and can open up automatically when you open the door, giving you the needed boost to get into the vehicle.

ENGINE, PERFORMANCE
My test vehicle featured a 6.2-liter V8 ECOTEC3 engine, which produced 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. It also featured over 8,000 pounds of towing capacity (This is one of the key factors many who will buy a vehicle like the Yukon are seeking, as crossovers won’t do the job as well.).

Another engine option is the 5.3-liter V8 FlexFuel ECOTEC3 engine, which will drop your horsepower numbers down some, but not drastically. All Yukons feature a six-speed automatic transmission

You’ll enjoy driving the 2015 Yukon Denali, especially when you get a chance to show off its power and four-wheel-drive capabilities. It’s a strong machine, but still responsive (though you definitely know you’re in a large vehicle when you are trying to maneuver, so be reasonable).

It’s also worth nothing that the Denali’s noise-canceling feature makes a ride in the vehicle a very quiet one.

MPG
I was getting between 16 and 17 mpg while driving the 2015 Yukon Denali; not great numbers in the overall scheme of vehicles, but it is a full-size SUV with a ton of weight, so it’s to be expected and is actually pretty good for this class of vehicle. Official numbers are 14 city/21 highway/16 combined.

TECH, SAFETY FEATURES
One of my favorite tech features on the Yukon Denali was the gap adjustor. You can set it to three different levels when you are on cruise control, and the car will adjust its speed based on who is in your lane. It can even stop the car for you if you’re far enough away.

Also, blind spot warnings and forward collision warnings are great options and could end up being a lifesaver. The forward collision warning is very much in-your-face and lets you know clearly that trouble is ahead. There’s no reason you should miss the warnings this vehicle gives you.

The Yukon Denali’s heads-up display is another great feature, as it puts your speed right in front of your eyes, and lets the driver look ahead and not down at your speedometer to see how fast you are going.

OPTIONS
The Yukon comes in three trim levels. You can get the base SLE model, the mid-level SLT model and the high-end Yukon Denali model that I tested.

You’ll gain features as you move up the line, and even on the Denali some features still come as options, such as the Touring Package (which includes the power sunroof, rear entertainment system, heads-up display and more). The power running boards and adaptive cruise control are also optional on the Denali.

BOTTOM LINE
If you want to go big and ride around in style, and have tremendous towing power, the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali is one of your best bets from any automaker. Sure it’s not the only upscale large SUV with these capabilities, but it’s one that quickly grows on you in terms of style, and offers an impressive driving experience and great tech features on top of that.

If you can stomach the price (a big “if”, for sure), the Yukon Denali doesn't disappoint.