When the GMC Acadia debuted as a full-size, three-row crossover, it aggressively invaded the territory of the GMC Yukon. Although the Yukon’s full-frame platform is stouter and therefore capable of heavier towing and hauling—whereas the unibody Acadia is comparatively light and more fuel efficient—two three-row trucks sharing a showroom are bound to share customer interest.
So it’s only natural, then, that the Acadia would poach the Denali tag from the Yukon catalog as well. According to GMC, nearly half of all Yukon sales are loaded-to-the-brim Denalis, which makes a Denali version of the Acadia full-size crossover a “logical extension.” (Guess when you’re being run by the government you try to avoid the term “no brainer.”) Like the Yukon Denali, the Acadia Denali will be showroom shorthand for “I’ll take one with everything, please,” or maybe “Give me the one the most like an Escalade.”
Thanks to: Car and Driver