2002 GMC Yukon Updated and upgraded. By Dan Carney, New Car Test Drive .com

GMC's Yukon offers a roomy cabin, impressive cargo-carrying capability, a nice ride, and a choice of modern V8 engines that deliver strong power for towing or tackling steep grades. The Yukon Denali is a luxury version that adds a more luxurious interior, a bigger engine, and all-wheel drive.

Either way, the Yukon is a good size for large families. Built on GM's superb full-size truck platform, the Yukon is the same size and, in many ways, the same vehicle as the Chevy Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. Yukon is 20 inches shorter than the Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL, making it much easier to park and garage. It is slightly smaller than the Ford Expedition, but longer and wider than the GMC Envoy, Chevy TrailBlazer, and Ford Explorer.

Yukon SLE was completely redesigned for 2000, and the luxurious Yukon Denali was introduced for 2001. For 2002, GMC focused on fine-tuning to enhance safety, reduce emissions, and improve durability and reliability. GMC upgraded the automatic transmissions, designed a more efficient starter, built a more durable steering gear housing, installed new child safety seat anchors, and achieved an ultra-low emissions (ULEV) rating for the Vortec 5300 V8 engine.

Essentially, two models are available: SLE and Denali.

Yukon SLE ($33,252 with two-wheel drive and $35,835 with four-wheel drive) 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 alarm. A 275-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 is standard; a 325- horsepower 5.3-liter V8 is optional.

Yukon Denali ($46,550) is the upscale model that comes with a big 6.0-liter V8 engine, all-wheel drive, and a computer-controlled AutoRide suspension. The Denali comes equipped with nearly every desirable feature as standard equipment, including: heated, leather, 10-way power seats, On-Star driver assistance, 11-speaker Bose stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer, thermostatically controlled climate control with rear heat and air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, power windows and power door locks. The Denali is the luxury version of GM's full-size SUVs; only the Cadillac Escalade is more luxurious. Neither the powerful 6.0-liter V8 nor the full-time all-wheel-drive system is available on the Yukon SLE models, nor does Chevrolet offer anything comparable to the Denali in its Tahoe line. Denali options are limited to a sunroof ($1,000) and engine block heater ($35).