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Car Report: 2015 GMC Yukon Denali is still large SUV, now with more polish

By Mike Parris

WASHINGTON — The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali is a big SUV in an ever-changing market, where more and more SUVs are changing their truck underpinnings and becoming more car-like crossovers. However, GMC stays true to its roots with its big SUVs.

The new GMC Yukon keeps the SUV spirit alive and adds a huge dose of refinement.

The Denali is the top-of-the-line Yukon SUV and it accounts for 60 percent of all Yukon sales. So GMC had to keep current customers happy and appeal to some new buyers willing to fork over at least $66,000 for the big SUV.

GMC started with the new and vastly improved full-size truck as a base, which really improves the Yukon’s ride and handling. Magnetic Ride Control also gets some of the credit, giving it a more luxurious ride and getting rid of the float or bounce over larger bumps.

GMC really nailed the look of the Yukon Denali. The 2015 gets a more upscale look thanks to some exterior goodies to set it apart from other Yukon models, such as a special chrome grill and exclusive 20- and 22-inch wheels. It has a brawnier look than the Chevrolet and looks even more luxurious than a Caddy.

The Denali costs around $75,000 when fully loaded — not cheap, but still less than some of its competition, and the price tag doesn’t seem out of line after this redesign.

Also, it has an exclusive engine — a big and powerful 6.2-liter V8 (other Yukon models have a 5.3-liter). The 420 horsepower Denali really moves for a big SUV, and the active fuel management allows the engine to run on four cylinders at times.

After a week with the Denali, I averaged 17.9 mpg over 247 miles — better than the 16 mpg combined from the sticker, and better than the old model. They rate the Denali four-wheel drive at 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. It’s certainly not going to be confused with a hybrid but it’s a marked improvement. The engine is a good one, very smooth and much better when running on four cylinders than older GMC models with the same system.

The interior is a huge improvement for the upscale Denali and is now as nice as the new exterior. Very comfortable leather seats are heated and cooled, the second row of seats are heated and can easily be folded with a touch of a button to create more space. The third row of seats are power folding with a simple touch of button, but that does leave a higher load floor and a little less space for taller cargo when the seats are folded. A tip if you’re going to use the third seat all the time for adults: Consider the longer XL model; it will give you extra space.

The power running boards are a worthwhile $1,745 option. They help with entrance and exit and keep the clean lines of the SUV. The Denali has some tech features as well — with the 8-inch color touch screen for the NAV and backup camera and Onstar 4G-LTE, you can turn the SUV into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2015 Yukon Denali is a very big improvement on a popular upscale SUV that has stepped up to the plate with nicer drive and a more luxurious package. If you need room and a V8, it’s time to look at GMC again. They seem to be serious about making big luxury do-anything SUVs.

Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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