GMC Celebrates 25 Years of Denali

“Denali” is the name of the highest mountain peak on the North American continent. Standing over 20,000 feet above sea level in the center of Alaska, it represents a pinnacle for all who admire this majestic mountain.

Twenty-five years ago, GMC added more luxury to its Professional Grade image with an exclusive trim level. The name they chose reflected everything that mountain peak represented in our hearts and minds. They call it Denali. 

The Denali name first appeared as the top-of-the-line Yukon model back in 1999. General Motors wanted their largest SUV to offer the best in luxury, with leather upholstery and upgraded features not found on any GMC vehicle at the time. Denali models always wear a distinctive grille texture and upgraded trim and wheels to distinguish them from any other vehicle on the road. 

The first Yukon Denali was a huge hit for GMC. So much so that GMC added Denali models across the entire lineup. After the Yukon, GMC offered the Denali trim on the Sierra 1500 pickup trucks from 2002 onward. They were the first truly luxurious full-size half-ton pickup trucks available. 

By 2010, the Denali name appeared on the luxurious version of the Sierra HD pickup trucks and the Acadia SUV. The 2013 model year saw the introduction of the Terrain Denali. Rounding out the lineup, a Canyon Denali was added to its mid-size pickup truck lineup for 2017. Coming soon, one of the first Sierra EV pickup trucks will wear the Denali name. 

All of these GMC models were elevated to new luxurious heights. They became the most desirable trim levels on each model, selling faster than any other trims on any given GMC model. In fact, the first vehicle GMC customers want to see when they come to GMC of Rochester is the Denali trim. 

As the pinnacle of their respective GMC models, the Denali has become the measurement of the quality they should expect in them. Each Denali model offers possibilities for how they want their vehicle to be equipped, how they feel, and the level of comfort they ultimately want. 

GMC always knew that the Denali trim could be elevated even further. For 2023, we welcomed the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate. As part of the refresh of the current model, the Sierra Ultimate added an upgraded Bose Premium Audio system with metal speaker grilles, heated and ventilated 16-way power front seat adjustments, and an upgraded grille and trim surrounds. The package also includes a larger 13.4-inch diagonal center touchscreen with a 12.3-inch diagonal Digital Driver Information Center.

You can now get the Denali Ultimate trim in the Sierra HD pickup truck. 

The Denali trim set a new standard for all SUVs and pickup trucks to follow. To be the pinnacle of luxury for those who want the utmost top-of-the-line in everything. 

At GMC of Rochester, we offer the full lineup of Denali models from the Terrain and Canyon to the Yukon XL and Sierra HD pickup trucks. Contact us to see how we can elevate you to the peak of luxury.