2001 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The most obvious aspect of the all-new Denali is that its styling is mildly evolutionary, not radically changed. While the new model looks similar to its predecessor, park a new one beside last year's model and the changes are immediately evident. One change is an arched roofline that provides extra headroom for the second and third rows. All the sharp creases on the previous body have been smoothed.

Denali buyers are limited to a traditional hatch rear door with flip-up window. Utility-minded shoppers looking for side-by-side cargo doors will have to limit themselves to an ordinary Yukon.

Interior Features

GMC has gone to great lengths to make the Denali's interior more comfortable, easier to operate and more attractive for families. Getting inside the 2001 Yukon Denali is easier thanks to new pull-handle style door handles that replace the old lift-up style openers. Step-in height has been reduced, making it easier to climb into the driver's seat.

All controls are mounted closer to the driver's seat. Visibility out of the Yukon is very good, thanks to new larger windows. The combination of good visibility and confident handling give the Yukon an air of nimbleness that the Lincoln Navigator lacks.

GMC Denali also tops Lincoln Navigator in the usefulness of its third-row seat. While the Lincoln's third seat is a children-only compression chamber, the Yukon's third seat provides space for adults' feet. It isn't a lot of space, but it is there. The third seat also folds, flips, slides and removes impressively. Whichever way you choose to stow the third-row seat, it is easy to do; it even has wheels to help it roll into the garage for storage.

The Denali features optional second-row bucket seats that give passengers better support and let them adjust their seats individually to suit each person. The leather upholstery is very nice looking and feels comfortable. Seat-mounted shoulder harnesses on the front and rear seats make the Yukon's belts easier to wear.

Music lovers will enjoy the Bose Acoustimass 11-speaker stereo with a subwoofer. It uses a spiral-wrapped radio antenna to cut wind noise. GMC says it chose to use a conventional mast rather than embedding the antenna in a window for better performance.