|
2008 Yukon Denali – Part II: Technological Knockout
It’s been six months since the AR team took the reins of our long-term Yukon Denali. The bold, beautiful behemoth arrived in understated factory form, adorned in little more than metallic Red Jewel paint and 18-inch polished aluminum rims. Its aesthetic stock profile was soon modified with over sixteen grand worth of STRUT upgrades including 22-inch black on chrome rims, a STRUT “Mammoth” grille and an original equipment chrome fuel filler door, provided by GM Accessories. Through 8,000 miles, countless promotional events, celebrity drives and numerous detailings, the Denali drives as competently and shows as well as the day it hit our driveway. Its suspension still offers a firm yet supple ride, handling is responsive and the 6.2 liter Vortec V8 accelerates strongly and smoothly. With its urban outfit complete, one might expect a similar treatment to the truck’s interior and functionality components. Not so fast. As the old adage goes, “if it ain't broke, don’t fix it,” and our Denali wants for nothing technologically.
The talking, multi-capable Trans Am GM made famous on the 80s series Knight Rider has been reincarnated in SUV form with the 2008 Yukon Denali. The vehicle provides a generous package of innovative, user-friendly offerings that make driving pleasurable and set a class-leading standard for the competition. DVD entertainment is an afterthought in today’s SUVs but in most, there is room for improvement. The Yukon’s system is ahead of the curve, providing a dash-loading and controlled rear-seat DVD with a screen small enough to allow only a partially obstructed rear view. The system can also display on the dash screen – but only while the shift selector is in park. The Yukon blocks access to it and other touch screen options when the vehicle is in motion, reducing driver distraction. It’s a simple feature but the Yukon’s auxiliary MP3 jack, located conveniently next to the touch screen, made listening to my iPod a breeze. The jack allows for video transmission as well. I was also impressed with the sound quality of the 10-speaker Bose audio system. This is a welcome improvement to the sound produced by FM modulated adapters that drivers without hardwired access are forced to use. The Yukon also offers satellite radio service through XM, with simple, intuitive access via the vehicle’s touch screen.
Navigation is the new “it” automotive technology. The industry can take a cue from GM and its Denali, whose navigation system combines satellite-based direction with the live personal assistance of OnStar. Assuming you are parked or stopped at a traffic light, you can key in your destination on the touch screen. If you are in motion or are missing pieces of your destination address, press the blue OnStar button located on the vehicle’s rear-view mirror and connect live with an OnStar advisor. After the futuristic OnStar jingle is played, a phone rings and a representative is soon online. Provide them with your destination address, and directions are sent to your vehicle’s navigation system and via voice command. You can then request re-routing or a new address that can be mapped as a detour to your final destination or as a final destination itself. Like an on-board concierge, OnStar also provides millions of points of interest like restaurants and gas stations, the latter of which you are prompted to add to your map once fuel reaches critically low levels.
But the OnStar system does more than provide directions. Besides Roadside Assistance, Emergency Services and CrisisAssist, which provides useful information during weather, natural disasters or other crises, OnStar offers other invaluable features for the daily driver. OnStar provides monthly email reports of the vehicle’s condition as well as GM Goodwrench diagnostics, available on demand, just by pressing the OnStar button. I used the latter during my time with the truck, and was pleased to find that my AR colleagues had kept the Yukon in fighting trim. A vehicle like the Yukon Denali can be a target for thieves and OnStar’s stolen vehicle recovery system can help locate it in the event of theft. Virtual Advisor provides local traffic, weather and stock updates - a key function in today’s unstable economy. And for the absent-minded, the OnStar remote door unlock feature is a godsend. Armed with your OnStar account number and PIN, drivers can speak with an advisor who will send a signal to unlock your doors.
Check back for more updates on our heavyweight champ AR Yukon Denali.
|
|