2001 GMC Yukon New Denali is stylish, luxurious and big. By Dan Carney, New Car Test Drive .com

GMC completely redesigned its Yukon full-size SUV for 2000, but the luxurious Denali version had to wait until 2001. Now it's here. Yukon Denali sits at the top of GMC's SUV lineup, just one rung below GM's 2001 Cadillac Escalade luxury sport-utility.

The most visible difference between the Yukon Denali and the regular Yukon is the Denali's aftermarket-inspired chrome grille, in place of the Yukon's blacked out grille.

Behind that facade, however, is some hardware that sets the Denali apart from the rest of the Yukon line: a more powerful 6.0-liter V8 and a full-time all-wheel-drive system. Neither the engine nor the AWD system is available on the other Yukon models. Nor does Chevrolet offer anything comparable in its Tahoe line.

GMC's 2001 Yukon Denali rides on the same hydroformed frame and five-link coil spring rear suspension that gives the standard Yukon a smooth ride and surprisingly responsive handling. Denali's luxury touches don't overlook the fact that GMC customers will want to tow their boat to the lake or pull their daughter's horse trailer to the show, so it is loaded with features for towing and moving cargo. The bigger engine will help pull any load, while the all-wheel-drive system is just the ticket for pulling a boat up a water-slicked landing. (Denali shares its basic architecture with the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Yukon Denali XL, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and Cadillac Escalade. It is arguably the best full-size SUV and pickup platform on the market.)

GMC Yukon Denali comes equipped with nearly every desirable feature as standard equipment, leaving only a couple items that are matters of personal preference as optional. Standard equipment includes: heated, leather, 10-way power seats, 6.0-liter V8, all-wheel drive, AutoRide computer-controlled suspension, On-Star driver assistance, 11-speaker Bose stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer, thermostatically controlled climate control, rear heat and air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, power windows and power door locks.

Only a sunroof ($900), second-row bucket seats ($290) and engine block heater ($35) are optional.

While the Denali is getting the headlines for 2001, GMC launched its standard Yukon on this all-new platform last year. And this year, the price of Yukons has dropped slightly: Yukon SLE ($32,200) comes loaded with air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, self-leveling suspension, CD stereo, power windows, power door locks, fog lights, tinted glass, heated outside mirrors, leather wrapped steering wheel, and vehicle alarm. SLE 4x4 retails for $35,078. Both come with a 4.8-liter V8. Upgrade to the 5.3-liter V8 for another $700. An optional SLT package for the Yukon comes in two levels. You can get an SLT that adds front and center-row leather seats, a nine-speaker CD stereo, floor console, better bucket seats and aluminum wheels for an additional $1,400. Or, you can order an SLT package power seats, seat heaters, premium ride suspension, OnStar driver assistance, automatic climate control and other features for $2,818.