The Denali is the premium model of the five in the Terrain line. It has a honeycomb grille and satin chrome accents, including rocket molding, that accentuate its chiseled, muscular features.
Inside, the Terrain Denali is remarkably beautiful, with illuminated front sill plates, embossed front seats, and leather wrapped steering wheel with smoked mahogany wood tones. Talk about comfort! The leather-appointed French stitched seating and the use of premium soft-touch materials on the doors, dash and center console radiate comfort, especially when combined with the smell of quality leather. Together, they breed thoughts of luxury. And there is relaxing comfort in these seats because of the heated, eight-way power adjustable front seats with power lumbar support, and the segment-exclusive multi-flex sliding rear seat that split fold down to 60/40.
The Denali Terrain has a 5-year/100,000-mile power train warranty. The 3.6L V-6 VVT direct injection engine with 6T70 Hydra-matic six-speed automatic transmission puts forth 301 hp at 6,500 rpm and torque of 272 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm. All this, plus a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.
Interior
Front Headroom: 39.8 inches
Rear Headroom: 39.2 inches
Front Legroom: 41.2 inches
Rear Legroom: 37.2 inches
Maximum Storage Room: 63.9 cu. ft
The Denali is loaded with safety technology. Forward Collision Alerts, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are superb examples of that safety technology.
Terrain has a high-resolution color touch radio that integrates large icons into an intuitive home screen. Just use your fingertips to operate the available features. One touch brings you your favorite news station or favorite music.
A rear vision camera system is standard on Terrain, as well as the peace of mind that comes from OnStar technology. OnStar features include automatic response and the OnStar Remote Link.
Exterior
Wheelbase: 112.5 inches
Length: 185.30 inches
Width: 72.8 inches
The Denali stands strong, clad with 18-inch satin-chrome aluminum wheels. Remote Vehicle Start gets you in easily, and Hill Start Braking Assist keeps you stationary while parked on a steep hill or incline. The Tire Pressure Monitor System appraises your tires and alerts you if one is losing air.
The standard price of the Terrain Denali is $36,725. The Rear Seat Entertainment can add another $1,295 and the Color Touch Navigation System with IntelliLink cost $795.
GMC needs to add a handle just inside the driver’s door, like the front passenger and both back doors have. Short folks and those with walking issues cannot get themselves behind the wheel without undue burden. When I asked a GM rep at the Dallas Auto Show why there was no driver-side handle, he didn’t have an explanation. But he did admit that to include one would certainly make the vehicle more driver friendly.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or [email protected].
