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The 2017 GMC Yukon XL Denali: Not just for the fertile set

I have a sis whom I've nicknamed "The Vickster." She is a beautiful Amazon, 6'1 on a good day and is the mom to a singleton. So why would my sis need to own a GMC Yukon XL Denali when she doesn't have a brood? Well to this I say, is there a written rule somewhere that states behemoth SUV's must be solely purchased by, you know, school-run moms? I think not! Even though the 2017 GMC Yukon XL Denali is tanker-sized and can swallow up to nine passengers, it has road presence and supreme luxury to boot which is a real draw for not just the fertile set. The Yukon XL Denali is an in-your-face kind of vehicle, and it was all in mine. The monolith has a presence, there's no denying, and even though it is big from every angle, it is far from odious. The stately looking ride has nicely defined slabs of metal, boxy proportions that make you look as it glides down the highway. Giving the Yukon XL my front-to-back once over, I liked its imposing mesh grille, nicely placed chrome accents and badges, riveting upsized wheels, and attractive high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and LED rear tail lamps. Once I settled into the cavernous and swanky realm of leather and mellow accent lighting that makes up the Yukon XL's interior, I then realized why "The Vickster" opted for this vehicle. The SUV's interior design is not overdone, no excessive bling to the point of blindness! Tasteful appointments on the Yukon XL include soft-touch leathers, aluminum trim, wood inlays, La-Z-Boy comfy seating in the first two rows (2nd-row power-release fold-and-tumble bucket seats); and thankfully, the non-gizmos overkill command center has large and ergonomically comfy controls. Space for a leggy crew is more than ample in the first and second rows. The SUV's available power folding, third-row fold-flat seats, however, are not exactly cut out for those who have gone past middle school as the seating is less bolstered and a little too close to the floor. Loved the wide and cushy center console that is not only spacious enough for hanging folders or a laptop but most importantly, it's elbow-friendly! Technology on the Yukon XL did not disappoint—particularly with the available built-in 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to seven devices that kept me connected wherever I roamed.

Gladiators, Pilots, and Palisades, plus a couple boring crossovers | Autoblog Podcast #562

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski. The duo discuss the leaked Jeep Gladiator, Ford's Baby Bronco, the Aston Martin DBX, and then touch on other reborn names like the Honda Pilot. They also discuss how boring crossovers have taken over as the family car of choice in the United States and debate the merits of turbocharged V6 engines versus the classic American V8. Finally, we spend your money.Autoblog Podcast #562 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Jeep Gladiator leaked Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot teased Aston Martin DBX Ford Baby Bronco leaked Boring crossovers Ford F-150 2.7-liter EcoBoost Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: Podcasts LA Auto Show Aston Martin Ford GMC Honda Hyundai Jeep Truck Crossover SUV honda pilot jeep gladiator aston martin dbx hyundai palisade ford baby bronco

GM phasing out light-duty 1500-series vans

In the market for a fullsize van but don't need a heavy-duty model? You're in the minority, and you're also out of luck. That's because there are barely any more fullsize vans on the market with gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,500 pounds, the threshold that separates light- and heavy-duty vans.
According to PickupTrucks.com, neither the Ford E-Series, Ram ProMaster, nor Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are available in light-duty versions. Few of the Ford Transit configurations are, either, and now General Motors is discontinuing production of the 1500-series Chevy Express and GMC Savana.
Apparently light-duty versions accounted for just 23 percent of Express sales and only 7 percent of Savanas. Add to that the fact that these 1500 versions were the only ones using the old generation of engines and suspension, and that the Wentzville plant near St. Louis, Missouri, is trying to make room for the next Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, and the fate of the light-duty GM van was sealed.